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While the all-killer no-filler single-disc The Byrds' Greatest Hits remains the best distillation of their classic songs, The Essential Byrds is a smartly assembled double dose, including all 14 of the 1965-1967 tracks on Greatest Hits, but expanding its reach into their entire Columbia output, going as far as the early '70s. Inevitably, that means that disc two -- which goes, roughly, from mid-1967 to 1971 -- isn't as good as the first half, and that the last four tracks in particular are by far the least impressive, tagged on mostly so that the release spans the Byrds' entire Columbia catalog. That's a small reservation considering that the two-fer adds many first-rate songs not on Greatest Hits, from non-hit singles like "Lady Friend" and "Goin' Back" to standout album cuts like "Renaissance Fair," "Natural Harmony," "Jesus Is Just Alright," and "Chestnut Mare." There are no surprises here; even the songs that eluded inclusion on albums for many years, like the early B-side "She Don't Care About Time" and "Lady Friend," have been commonly available in the CD era. And it's true that this misses some other fine album tracks that could have stood with pride alongside those selected, like "I Knew I'd Want You," "John Riley," and "Dolphin's Smile." Within the confines of the two-CD format, though, it's a very well-chosen career overview. [The 2011 3.0 edition adds a third disc with six additional tracks: “Spanish Harlem Incident,” “I Knew I’d Want You,” “The World Turns All Around Her,” “I See You,” “Change Is Now,” and “One Hundred Years from Now.”]
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Bob Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums - Terry Melcher, Producer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Terry Melcher, Producer - G. Clark, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Terry Melcher, Producer - Bob Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Engineer - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Terry Melcher, Producer - B. Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Terry Melcher, Producer - Jim McGuinn - P. Seeger, Adapter, Composer - Gene Clark, Tambourine - The Book Of Ecclesiastes, Lyricist - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - G. Clark, Composer, Lyricist - Terry Melcher, Producer - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - H. Gerst, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums - Terry Melcher, Producer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - G. Clark, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums - Terry Melcher, Producer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Jim McGuinn - Gene Clark, Tambourine - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Michael Clarke, Drums - Terry Melcher, Producer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Engineer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Jim McGuinn - David Crosby, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Gene Clark, Composer, Harmonica, Lyricist, Tambourine - Roger McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Clarke, Drums - Van Dyke Parks, Keyboards - Allen Stanton, Producer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Jim McGuinn - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Gene Clark, Harmonica, Tambourine - Michael Clarke, Drums - Van Dyke Parks, Keyboards - Allen Stanton, Producer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Jim McGuinn - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Gene Clark, Harmonica, Tambourine - Michael Clarke, Drums - Van Dyke Parks, Keyboards - Allen Stanton, Producer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - C. Hillman, Composer, Lyricist - David Crosby - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn - Gary Usher, Producer
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - David Crosby - C. Hillman, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - David Crosby - D. Crosby, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - David Crosby - B. Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
DISC 2
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - David Crosby - D. Crosby, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - David Crosby - Roger McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Composer, Lyricist - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Electric Guitar - Jim McGuinn - Michael Clarke, Drums - Hugh Masekela, Horn
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gerry Goffin, Composer, Lyricist - C. King, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - Chris Hillman, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - Don Thompson, Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Engineer
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gerry Goffin, Composer, Lyricist - C. King, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Gary Usher, Producer - B. Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Gram Parsons, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano - Roy M. Huskey, Bass
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - B. Buchanan, Composer, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Gram Parsons, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Gary Usher, Producer
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - CLARENCE WHITE, Associated Performer - Bob Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Gene Parsons, Associated Performer - R. Danko, Composer, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Associated Performer - John York, Associated Performer - Bob Johnson, Producer - David Diller, Engineer - Tom May, Engineer - Neil Wilburn, Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer, Mixing Engineer
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Bob Johnson, Producer - David Diller, Engineer - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Tom May, Engineer - Neil Wilburn, Engineer
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Terry Melcher, Producer - Roger McGuinn, Composer, Guitar, Lyricist, Synthesizer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - John York, Bass - Gene Parsons, Banjo, Drums, Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - A. Reynolds, Composer, Lyricist - John York, Bass - Gene Parsons, Banjo, Drums, Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar - Roger McGuinn, Guitar, Synthesizer - Terry Melcher, Producer
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Jim Dickson, Producer - J. Levy, Composer, Lyricist
Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - J. Levy, Composer, Lyricist - Terry Melcher, Producer
Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - A. Reynolds, Composer, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar - Sneaky Pete, Steel Guitar - Jimmi Seiter, Percussion, Tambourine - Gene Parsons, Drums - Larry Knechtel, Organ, Piano - Terry Melcher, Piano, Producer - Skip Battin, Bass - Byron Berline, Fiddle - Paul Polena, Horn - CHRIS HINSHAW, Producer
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Terry Melcher, Piano, Producer - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - J. Levy, Composer, Lyricist - CHRIS HINSHAW, Producer - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar - Sneaky Pete, Steel Guitar - Jimmi Seiter, Percussion, Tambourine - Gene Parsons, Drums - Larry Knechtel, Organ, Piano - Skip Battin, Bass - Byron Berline, Fiddle - Paul Polena, Horn
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - R. McGuinn, Composer, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar, Mandolin - Skip Battin, Bass, Piano - Gene Parsons, Banjo, Drums, Harmonica, Steel Guitar
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - Traditional, Composer, Lyricist - CLARENCE WHITE, Mandolin - Gene Parsons - Chris White, Arranger - Skip Battin, Bass, Piano
Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
While the all-killer no-filler single-disc The Byrds' Greatest Hits remains the best distillation of their classic songs, The Essential Byrds is a smartly assembled double dose, including all 14 of the 1965-1967 tracks on Greatest Hits, but expanding its reach into their entire Columbia output, going as far as the early '70s. Inevitably, that means that disc two -- which goes, roughly, from mid-1967 to 1971 -- isn't as good as the first half, and that the last four tracks in particular are by far the least impressive, tagged on mostly so that the release spans the Byrds' entire Columbia catalog. That's a small reservation considering that the two-fer adds many first-rate songs not on Greatest Hits, from non-hit singles like "Lady Friend" and "Goin' Back" to standout album cuts like "Renaissance Fair," "Natural Harmony," "Jesus Is Just Alright," and "Chestnut Mare." There are no surprises here; even the songs that eluded inclusion on albums for many years, like the early B-side "She Don't Care About Time" and "Lady Friend," have been commonly available in the CD era. And it's true that this misses some other fine album tracks that could have stood with pride alongside those selected, like "I Knew I'd Want You," "John Riley," and "Dolphin's Smile." Within the confines of the two-CD format, though, it's a very well-chosen career overview. [The 2011 3.0 edition adds a third disc with six additional tracks: “Spanish Harlem Incident,” “I Knew I’d Want You,” “The World Turns All Around Her,” “I See You,” “Change Is Now,” and “One Hundred Years from Now.”]
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 33 track(s)
- Total length: 01:34:13
- Main artists: The Byrds
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia - Legacy
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
Originally Released 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 (P) 2003 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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