The Byrds
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The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)
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1. |
Artificial Energy
2:19 |
2. |
Going Back
3:25 |
3. |
Natural Harmony
2:11 |
4. |
Draft Morning
2:42 |
5. |
Was not Born To Follow
2:03 |
6. |
Get To You
2:39 |
7. |
Change Is Now
3:21 |
8. |
Old John Robertson
1:48 |
9. |
Tribal Gathering
2:02 |
10. |
Dolphins Smile
2:00 |
11. |
Space Odyssey
4:02 |
12. |
Moog Raga Instrumental
3:27 |
13. |
Bound To Fall Instrumental
2:11 |
14. |
Triad
3:31 |
15. |
Going Back Version One
3:58 |
16. |
Draft Morning
2:58 |
17. |
Universal Mind Decoder instrumental
13:45 |
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The Byrds Album The Notorious Byrd Brothers Rating 4.5 Stars Release Date Jan 3, 1968 Recording Date Jun 21, 1967-Dec 6, 1967 Label Columbia Legacy 1997 486751 2
1968's Notarious Byrd Brothers opened wit a devastating one two punch: ahorn section marvel bemoaning the go fast culture: and a baroque pop masterpiece that floated to heaven on wisps of pedal steel and harpsichord. The trenchant songwriting-answering recant works by the Beatles and Stones -tackled subject as diverse as the agony of the Vietnam war and the exploration of deep space on an album many people regard as the Byrds best. (sleeve note) Review by Richie Unterberger
The recording sessions for the Byrds' fifth album, The Notorious Byrd Brothers, were conducted in the midst of internal turmoil that found them reduced to a duo by the time the record was completed. That wasn't evident from listening to the results, which showed the group continuing to expand the parameters of their eclecticism while retaining their hallmark guitar jangle and harmonies. With assistance from producer Gary Usher, they took more chances in the studio, enhancing the spacy quality of tracks like "Natural Harmony" and Goffin & King's "Wasn't Born to Follow" with electronic phasing. Washes of Moog synthesizer formed the eerie backdrop for "Space Odyssey," and the songs were craftily and unobtrusively linked with segues and fades. But the Byrds did not bury the essential strengths of their tunes in effects: "Goin' Back" (also written by Goffin & King) was a magnificent and melodic cover with the expected tasteful 12-string guitar runs that should have been a big hit. "Tribal Gathering" has some of the band's most effervescent harmonies; "Draft Morning" is a subtle and effective reflection of the horrors of the Vietnam War; and "Old John Robertson" looks forward to the country-rock that would soon dominate their repertoire. [The CD reissue adds six bonus tracks, including different versions of "Goin' Back" and "Draft Morning," a few instrumentals, and David Crosby's controversial "Triad"; unlisted on the sleeve is a rehearsal outtake which captures comically vitriolic arguments among the band.]
1. Artificial Energy 2. Goin' Back 3. Natural Harmony 4. Draft Morning 5. Wasn't Born to Follow 6. Get to You 7. Change Is Now 8. Old John Robertson 9. Tribal Gathering 10.Dolphins' Smile 11.Space Odyssey
Bonus tracks
12. Moog raga (instrumental) 13. Bound to fail (instrumental) 14. Triad 15. Going back (first version) 16. Draft morning (alternate end) 17. Universel Mind (intrumental)
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