Comments on: The Byrds “Sanctuary I-IV”

By: David Lerner

David Lerner — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:04:27 +0000

Dylan originals or Byrd covers? Reminds me of a joke my friend Ian once told me:
Q: Why are the Byrds such a good band?
A: Because they set Bob Dylan songs to music

By: Gene

Gene — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:20:13 +0000

The best group to ever come out of your here United States.Effortlessly cool,eat sings and some early help from Buddy
Were you aware of Joe Meek channeling Buddy’s spirits.

Gene Clarke,the Shakespeare,no money,loads of taken and BOOOM…………………yer of…..

By: dan

dan — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:10:46 +0000

the byrds are

fantastic

alongside the beach boys in the 60s for american music definitely gave us a brilliant tune as we could ever want with their cover of mr tambourine man. also imo younger than yesterday is an underrated masterpiece. as a young musician, only about 14 nearly 15 years of age, i can say itll be an influence on me for years to come

By: mark

mark — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:52:07 +0000

dk–
I would have to disagree with your last comment. As wonderful as the Untitled album is (especially with the Unreleased tracks included on the more recent cd release), there is no definitive recording of 8 miles high. McGuinn’s version on Live From Mars is superlative as is that rate Gene Clark solo version, to say nothing of the RCA version (appearing as an outtake on 5D). Essentially, the song is exceptional and each performance / recording seems to make it only that much richer.

Love those Byrds…

By: dk

dk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:48:25 +0000

The Byrds were not only quintessentially American and 60’s, they were also a great representative of the music coming out of Los Angeles during that era.

It’s hard to deny the influence of their jangling sound. Tom Petty and the alt-country bands are just two places that their style has lived on.

I’m not crazy about The Byrds’ Dylan covers. It’s one part of their catalogue, but I believe their influence would be just as strong if they’d never covered a single Bobby D tune.

And finally, I’d like to put in a plug for their ‘Untitled’ album. It’s later in their catalogue, and not generally as well regarded as ‘Notorious Byrd Brothers’ or ‘Sweetheart Of The Rodeo’, but it’s my favorite Byrds album. The original double LP featured one live album and one studio album – the live, album-side length version of ‘8 Miles High’ is absolutely the definitive recording of that song.

Love those Byrds…

By: mark

mark — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:11:24 +0000

Was it Peter Fonda who, in the liner notes to The Ballad of Easy Rider, said, “whoever the Byrds are is just alright.”?
I believe that they remain the epitome of American music – both in the 60’s and in general. They gave us all permission to become eclectic – to borrow and adapt freely. Throughout their many metamorphoses, they remain dedicated to their craft. Gene was the consummate craftsman. They brought rigor to most all of their work and yet, it never seemed to become an intellectual or abstract pursuit (– just listen to the RCA version of “8 Miles High”).
They still seem as magical to me now as they were when I first heard them. Perhaps it was because of the tension within the group that seemed at times to be almost palpable.
As for Dylan… he is clearly a part of the oral bardic tradition. His songs change with every performance. (There is a beautiful article in the May 1999 New Yorker magazine that explores this aspect of his music.) When the Byrds pick up a Dylan song, it becomes transformed… it becomes a Byrds song. Other groups never managed such alchemy (think Turtles for example). When I hear a Dylan recording (or live performance), i hear Dylan. When I listen to a recording of the Byrds doing a rendition of a Dylan authored song, I hear the Byrds. Each has their place. Very often the entire mood and sense of meaning changes as the song is deformed / transformed.
–Many thanks!

By: EH

EH — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:04:13 +0000

I have to think W is being facetious!

Just popping by to thank you for hipping me to the existence of these albums, and for providing the only reference I”ve ever come across of Stack-O-Tracks!

By: W

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:22:46 +0000

Probably the greatest and most influential rock band of the ’60s, and perhaps ever.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:29:34 +0000

Great post and topic. I need to hear that Sweetheart disc, No. IV.

To answer your first question, I love the Byrds. They certainly were an important band in the history of rock and their high points are very high. They have some low points too, but I don’t subtract points for failed attempts. Just count the positives, which are plenty and varied.

On the second question I think the Byrds and Dylan were a great “team.” While I’m a huge Dylan fan too, I really like what the Byrds brought to his songs. Not always (or even usually) an “improvement,” but frequently an interesting twist. Favorite Byrds cover of Dylan is My Back Pages. So different and so good.