| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| John9 |
Posted - 24/09/2007 : 22:59:43
If you go to this link and listen to the following songs: 'Jealous Gun', 'Angel Dance' and 'I Know I'll See You'.....I promise you....you'll swear that the original Byrds have somehow just reformed.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnyork2
These wonderful tracks are from John York's latest album - he of course was the Byrds bassist for three albums during the late sixties - he had already worked with Gene Clark and did so extensively once again during the 1980s - especially in the group CRY (acronym). His recordings since then have explored the links between American folk and the music of other cultures - but this latest one is in his own words - "straight-ahead American music". |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| rocker |
Posted - 11/10/2007 : 14:36:41
I guess it's what they call our 'desert island' disc, eh???...and I had the same reaction particularly to 'Sin City' as I did to 'She Loves You'...what the?...nothin' like hearingg about "earthquakes" and "yeah yeah yeah's"... |
| John9 |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 22:56:52
Yes, 1968 seemed like a very brave year for The Byrds. Appearing at the Grand Ol Opry must have been of those 'into the lion's den moments' in rock history - like Dylan going electric before audiences in '66 - or the Beatles descending on America in '64. But of course it didn't end there - next up was South Africa - and then within a month or two of that, McGuinn had a completely different lineup having elected to keep The Byrds going despite everything - I've always been very grateful for that.
As for 'Guilded Palace of Sin', we're all of one mind about that, Ed and Rocker - isn't it magnificent? It is included in '1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE' and is given the following tribute: "Posterity has restored it to its rightful place as a groundbreaking gem." |
| rocker |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 14:53:56
You know I think the song "Gilded Palace of Sin" (Parsons/Hillman) is on the Smithsonian's list of one of the top American songs in the past century. Yep, there's "Americana" there all right!
And in looking back the Burritos have to be one of greatest creative groups in the history of contemporary music marrying "rock" with country". If not for them no Eagles you know? (opinion: I'm not too enamored of Eagles music..maybe there was something with the first album but they kind of went in another direction for me)...good group though.
Regarding the Byrds, if I'm not mistaken when they were initially at the Opry the concert goers were wondering what was up with these hippies playing country music. "The Christian Life" by the Byrds of all things??? Freaked them all out! But I think later on when the Burritos did "White Line Fever" old Merle had to feel good.
I think the Burritos did a few concerts in Europe since people over there loved country music. The album based on the live performance, "Last of the Red Hot Burritos", kind of showed the excitement from over there in the Netherlands. Byron Berline's fiddle got'em going and they were rockin'. |
| John9 |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 12:07:00
'Gilded Palace of Sin' certainly did not make the Top 100 here - I notice that it peaked at 164 in the States. Many Byrds fans had been bemused by 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo'- and although, 'Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde'and 'Untitled' did well in the UK, I think that what the Flying Burrito Brothers were into was probably just a little too specialist for the mainstream record buying public at that time. By the early to mid 70s though, retrospective interest in the band had developed - the death of Gram Parsons of course had secured his legendary status. Also country rock had become much more popular with the advent of the Eagles. I can remember seeing groups like Country Gazette and and Asleep At the Wheel on the BBC's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' around then.
I've often wondered myself about the enduring appeal of The Flying Burrito Brothers in the Netherlands - the same was true of course of Gene Clark whose 'Roadmaster' album was originally a Dutch only release. |
| ed the bear |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 04:20:09
How popular were the Flying Burrito Brothers in the UK? I've heard they were huge in the Netherlands. In the US, it shames me to say, even when "Gilded Palace of Sin" came out they were unheard of by all but about three of my college mates. And what a great album it was, too. |
| John9 |
Posted - 26/09/2007 : 11:42:29
I have included a full length review of the album on the link - but you have to allow a short time for the page to build and then you need to scroll right down - here it is again:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnyork2
Rocker: I completely agree with what you have said about this music complementing McGuinn's - Roger never seems to tire of showing up at small arts venues over here with just an acoustic guitar - and the stripped down sound makes the music more poignant than ever. I like to think of the British Isles as being the Byrds' second home - though I can imagine the Belgians and Dutch having something to say about that!
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| rocker |
Posted - 25/09/2007 : 17:57:01
.....really good stuff....music just goes 'round and 'round...I can see him playing all that folk/country -roots music with McGuinn now on those acoustic guitars...I sure do appreciate what the Byrds started and accomplished... |
