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Although they are every bit as influential as fellow 1960s innovators the Beatles and the Beach Boys, compilations of classic material by the Byrds have been less frequent. When they have popped up, these albums have tended to focus on specific periods and rarely attempted a definitive retrospective. However, this welcome compilation from the British arm of Columbia Records remedies those problems by collecting a top-shelf array of material from the group's Columbia recordings on a single, comprehensive disc. From early folk-rock hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man" to the Indian-flavored psychedelia of "Eight Miles High" to the mellow country stylings of "Ballad of Easy Rider," all of the group's trendsetting hits are covered. These obvious choices are counterbalanced with the kind of album track favorites that the group's fans adored: notable picks include "Hickory Wind," a wistful slice of country-pop from the pen of Gram Parsons, and "Wasn't Born to Follow," the psychedelic country-rock classic that is best known for its appearance on the soundtrack of Easy Rider. The compilers of The Very Best of the Byrds also added a nice touch by including the original liner notes from the 1967 The Byrds Greatest Hits album. These notes lend an interesting perspective on how seriously the tastemakers of the day took the group, and also include some interesting biographical material about the group's days as Los Angeles club band. A few notable rarities are missing (it would have been nice to include the group's original version of "You Showed Me," which was successfully covered by the Turtles) but this is a minor quibble when the consistently stellar array of material on display is considered. All in all, The Very Best of the Byrds is a great starting place for novice listeners and a solid, convenient disc of high points for the group's fans.
© Donald A. Guarisco /TiVo
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Rick Rowe, Mastering Engineer - Terry Melcher, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Bob Dylan, Composer
Originally Released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Terry Melcher, Producer - David Crosby, Vocal - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - Vic Anesini, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Bob Dylan, Composer - Bob Dylan, Lyricist
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Michael Clarke, Drums - B. Dylan, Composer - B. Dylan, Lyricist - Terry Melcher, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Michael Clarke, Drums - G. Clark, Composer - G. Clark, Lyricist - Terry Melcher, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gary Pacheco, Director - Peter Seeger, Lyricist - Peter Seeger, Composer - Tim Geelan, Mastering Engineer - Tim Geelan, Re-Mixer - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Ecclesiastes, Composer - Ecclesiastes, Lyricist - Don DeVito, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - Gene Clark & The Gosdin Brothers, Vocal - Gene Clark & The Gosdin Brothers, Tambourine - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Vic Anesini, Re-Mixer - Lisa Sparagano, Director - Bob Irwin, Producer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Terry Melcher, Producer - David Crosby, Vocal - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - Vic Anesini, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Bob Dylan, Composer - Bob Dylan, Lyricist
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
G. Clark, Composer - G. Clark, Lyricist - The Byrds, Performer
Originally Released 1965 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Terry Melcher, Producer - David Crosby, Vocal - The Byrds, Performer - H. Gerst, Composer - H. Gerst, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist - Michael Clarke, Drums
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Terry Melcher, Producer - David Crosby, Vocal - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist - Vic Anesini, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
J. McGuinn, Composer - J. McGuinn, Lyricist - D. Crosby, Composer - D. Crosby, Lyricist - G. Clark, Composer - G. Clark, Lyricist - The Byrds, Performer
Originally Released 1966 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Gene Clark, Vocal - Gene Clark, Tambourine - Gene Clark, Harmonica - Jim McGuinn, Vocal - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - The Byrds, Performer - Allen Stanton, Producer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Van Dyke Parks, Keyboards - Michael Clarke, Drums - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Darcy Proper, Mastering Engineer - Jen Wyler, Mixing Engineer - Terry Melcher, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Jim Dickson, Producer - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Joe Lizzi, Mixing Engineer - Roger McGuinn, Composer - Roger McGuinn, Lyricist
Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gary Usher, Producer - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Clarence White, Electric Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - Hugh Masekela, Horns - C. Hillman, Composer - C. Hillman, Lyricist - The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Vic Anesini, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - The Byrds, Performer - Gary Usher, Producer - Bob Dylan, Composer - Bob Dylan, Lyricist
Originally Released 1967 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Gary Usher, Producer - Jim McGuinn, 12 String Guitar - Clarence White, Electric Guitar - Vern Gosdin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - David Crosby, Vocal - Hugh Masekela, Horns - The Byrds, Performer - D. Crosby, Composer - D. Crosby, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - Michael Clarke, Drums - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Performer - C. King, Composer - C. King, Lyricist - G. Goffin, Composer - G. Goffin, Lyricist
Originally Released 1968 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Byrds, Performer - C. King, Composer - C. King, Lyricist - G. Goffin, Composer - G. Goffin, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Performer - Chris Hillman, Composer - Chris Hillman, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer - Roger McGuinn, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Composer - David Crosby, Composer - David Crosby, Lyricist
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
B. Dylan, Composer - B. Dylan, Lyricist - The Byrds, Performer - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 1972 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Gary Usher, Producer - Tim Geelan, Re-Mixer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Roy Halee, Engineer - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Jon Corneal, Drums - G. Parsons, Composer - G. Parsons, Lyricist - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Clarence J. White, Guitar - The Byrds, Performer - Earl P. Ball, Piano - Chris Hillman, Mandolin - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - John Hartford, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - Roger McGuinn, Banjo - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gary Usher, Producer - Tim Geelan, Re-Mixer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Roy Halee, Engineer - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Gram Parsons, Guitar - L. McDaniel, Composer - L. McDaniel, Lyricist - Jon Corneal, Drums - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Clarence J. White, Guitar - The Byrds, Performer - Earl P. Ball, Piano - Chris Hillman, Mandolin - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - John Hartford, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - Roger McGuinn, Banjo - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Gary Usher, Producer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Gram Parsons, Guitar - B. Buchanan, Composer - B. Buchanan, Lyricist - Jon Corneal, Drums - G. Parsons, Composer - G. Parsons, Lyricist - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Clarence J. White, Guitar - The Byrds, Performer - Earl P. Ball, Piano - Chris Hillman, Mandolin - Chris Hillman, Acoustic Bass - John Hartford, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - Roger McGuinn, Banjo - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Clarence White, Vocal - Clarence White, Guitar - John York, Vocal - John York, Bass - Terry Melcher, Producer - The Byrds, Performer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - Roger McGuinn, Vocal - Roger McGuinn, Composer - Roger McGuinn, Lyricist - Roger McGuinn, Guitar - Roger McGuinn, Synthesizer - Gene Parsons, Vocal - Gene Parsons, Guitar - Gene Parsons, Banjo - Gene Parsons, Drums
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Performer - F. Salem, Producer - A. Reynolds, Composer - A. Reynolds, Lyricist
1972 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
The Byrds, Performer - Bob Dylan, Composer - Bob Dylan, Lyricist - H. ZERLER, Producer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
John York, Performer - Bob Johnson, Producer - Clarence White, Performer - B. Dylan, Composer - B. Dylan, Lyricist - Gene Parsons, Performer - The Byrds, Performer - Roger McGuinn, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Bob Irwin, Producer
Originally recorded 1968 & released 1990. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
J. Levy, Composer - J. Levy, Lyricist - The Byrds, Performer - R. McGuinn, Composer - R. McGuinn, Lyricist
Originally Released 1970 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
Although they are every bit as influential as fellow 1960s innovators the Beatles and the Beach Boys, compilations of classic material by the Byrds have been less frequent. When they have popped up, these albums have tended to focus on specific periods and rarely attempted a definitive retrospective. However, this welcome compilation from the British arm of Columbia Records remedies those problems by collecting a top-shelf array of material from the group's Columbia recordings on a single, comprehensive disc. From early folk-rock hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man" to the Indian-flavored psychedelia of "Eight Miles High" to the mellow country stylings of "Ballad of Easy Rider," all of the group's trendsetting hits are covered. These obvious choices are counterbalanced with the kind of album track favorites that the group's fans adored: notable picks include "Hickory Wind," a wistful slice of country-pop from the pen of Gram Parsons, and "Wasn't Born to Follow," the psychedelic country-rock classic that is best known for its appearance on the soundtrack of Easy Rider. The compilers of The Very Best of the Byrds also added a nice touch by including the original liner notes from the 1967 The Byrds Greatest Hits album. These notes lend an interesting perspective on how seriously the tastemakers of the day took the group, and also include some interesting biographical material about the group's days as Los Angeles club band. A few notable rarities are missing (it would have been nice to include the group's original version of "You Showed Me," which was successfully covered by the Turtles) but this is a minor quibble when the consistently stellar array of material on display is considered. All in all, The Very Best of the Byrds is a great starting place for novice listeners and a solid, convenient disc of high points for the group's fans.
© Donald A. Guarisco /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 27 track(s)
- Total length: 01:14:57
- Main artists: The Byrds
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
1997 Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.
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