CD: Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers
YEAR: 1997 ID3G: 115
The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)
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Artist: The Byrds
Album: The Notorious Byrd Brothers
Released: 1968
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Review:
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.]
AMG
Track List:
01. Artificial Energy [0:02:19.00]
02. Goin' Back [0:03:25.62]
03. Natural Harmony [0:02:11.10]
04. Draft Morning [0:02:42.13]
05. Wasn't Born To Follow [0:02:03.62]
06. Get To You [0:02:39.18]
07. Change Is Now [0:03:21.20]
08. Old John Robertson [0:01:48.70]
09. Tribal Gathering [0:02:02.62]
10. Dolphin's Smile [0:02:00.05]
11. Space Odyssey [0:04:02.08]
12. Moog Raga [bonus] [instrumental] [0:03:27.32]
13. Bound To Fall [bonus] [instrumental] [0:02:11.10]
14. Triad [bonus] [0:03:31.70]
15. Goin' Back [bonus] [version one] [0:03:58.10]
16. Draft Morning [bonus] [alternate end] [0:02:58.13]
17. Universal Mind Decoder [bonus] [instrumental] [0:13:45.22]
with extra studio chatter at end
01. Artificial Energy [0:02:19.00]
02. Goin' Back [0:03:25.62]
03. Natural Harmony [0:02:11.10]
04. Draft Morning [0:02:42.13]
05. Wasn't Born To Follow [0:02:03.62]
06. Get To You [0:02:39.18]
07. Change Is Now [0:03:21.20]
08. Old John Robertson [0:01:48.70]
09. Tribal Gathering [0:02:02.62]
10. Dolphin's Smile [0:02:00.05]
11. Space Odyssey [0:04:02.08]
12. Moog Raga [bonus] [instrumental] [0:03:27.32]
13. Bound To Fall [bonus] [instrumental] [0:02:11.10]
14. Triad [bonus] [0:03:31.70]
15. Goin' Back [bonus] [version one] [0:03:58.10]
16. Draft Morning [bonus] [alternate end] [0:02:58.13]
17. Universal Mind Decoder [bonus] [instrumental] [0:13:45.22]
with extra studio chatter at end
Personal:
Paul Beaver Moog Synthesizer
Curt Boettcher Vocals (bckgr)
Michael Clarke Drums
Jim Gordon Drums
Roy Halee Engineer
Chris Hillman Bass, Mandolin, Vocals
Bob Irwin Producer
Roger McGuinn Banjo, Guitar, Vocals, Guitar (12 String)
Red Rhodes Guitar
Clarence White Guitar
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