ALBUMS: The Byrds Greatest Hits; The Best of the Byrds, Greatest Hits Vol. 2
MVC Rating: Best, 4.5/$$$$; Vol. 2 3.5/$$$
The long-haired redneck wrote and sang: ‘I heard the burritos out in California could fly higher than the Byrds.
Roger McGuinn had a 12-string guitar it was like nothing I’d ever heard
And the Eagles flew in from the West Coast, like Byrds they were trying to be free
While in Texas the talk turned to outlaw, like Willie and Waylon and me
There, in those few lines David Allan Coe gets a lot accomplished. He effectively describes the country, folk-rock intersection which would spawn an enormous number of cross-genres.
In doing so he puts the Byrds front and center and of course gives his ownself a big commercial — Willie, Waylon and Me, indeed.
But the sharp Coe lyrics quickly name check the Flying Burritos Brothers, the Byrds, Eagles, (all on this flying theme.)
The Byrds are the real pioneers in this group, melding and merging Dylan songs, Biblical passages and psychedelic experiences into a new electrically charged folk style with provocative lyrics. Their music influenced many fans, not the least of which was REM and Peter Buck’s Byrd like guitar.
The first ‘Greatest Hits’ is indispensable with Turn Turn Turn, Mr. Tambourine Man, Chimes of Freedom, Eight Miles High, and My Back Pages.
The second album is weaker but still has plenty of good stuff, including Ballad of Easy Rider, Jesus is Just Alright and Chestnut Mare.
With this post, I essentially am through with B’s in www.myvinylcountdown.com (More on that in a blog post coming up.) So, as we go alphabetically counting down my 678 records I collected in the 70s and 80s, I’ve knocked out two letters in a 26- letter alphabet. Dang, got a long way to go. This brain disease is giving me a deadline. Remember it’s ultimatelly about fighting a deadly disease, Lewy Body dementia. Stay with me and I’ll stay with you. (Read About Me for more info).
Counting down my 678 vinyl records before I die of brain disease.