Byrds is the twelfth album by the American rock band The Byrds and was released in March 1973 on Asylum Records. It was recorded as the centerpiece of a reunion between the five original members of The Byrds: Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke. The last time that all five members had worked together as The Byrds was in 1966, prior to Gene Clark's departure from the band. During the reunion, the current, latter-day line-up of the band continued to make live appearances until February 1973, with McGuinn being the only member common to both versions of the group.
In 1972, the idea of a reunion of the original Byrds lineup seemed unlikely. Founding members Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn, and Michael Clarke had drifted apart musically and personally over the years. However, a shared desire to recapture old magic resulted in their 1973 self-titled album, simply known as "Byrds."
Back to the Beginning
The reunion album aimed to revisit the sound that made The Byrds famous nearly a decade earlier: jangly guitars, tight harmonies, and a folk-country foundation. While some songs echoed the band's earlier work, there was also a sense of seasoned musicianship and a willingness to take subtle risks.
Clashing Visions
Despite moments of harmony, the reunion was fraught with tension. Creative differences flared up during the recording process. Clark, who had been struggling personally, penned some darker, more introspective songs that clashed with the nostalgia-tinged direction others envisioned.
Fragile Unity
The "Byrds" album features contributions from all five original members, showcasing their individual songwriting talents. Yet, the recording sessions were marked by infighting, and the fragile unity wouldn't last long. Soon after the album's release, the reunion fell apart.
Album Description & Collectors information: Matrix/Stamper codes:Side One: ST-AS-732779A (handwritten/etched) Side Two: ST-AS-732780A (handwritten/etched) Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with photos on the inside cover pages Byrds is the twelfth album by the American rock band The Byrds and was released in March 1973 on Asylum Records. It was recorded as the centerpiece of a reunion between the five original members of The Byrds: Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke. The last time that all five members had worked together as The Byrds was in 1966, prior to Gene Clark's departure from the band. During the reunion, the current, latter-day line-up of the band continued to make live appearances until February 1973, with McGuinn being the only member common to both versions of the group.
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Music Genre: Country Rock |
Album Production Information: The album: "BYRDS - S/T Self-Titled Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Michael Clarke" was produced by: David Crosby Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Doc Storch (as played by Sandy Fisher), Raghu This album was recorded at: Walter Heider Recording Studio, mastered at Artisan Sound Recorders. Album cover design/photography: Gary Burden, Alexa Smith, Henry Diltz |
Record Label Information: Asylum Records SD 5058 (ST-AS-732779 PR) |
Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram |
Year & Country: 1973 Made in USA |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: BYRDS - S/T Self-Titled Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Michael Clarke |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "BYRDS - S/T Self-Titled Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Michael Clarke" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "BYRDS - S/T Self-Titled Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Michael Clarke" is:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"The Byrds" Record Label Details: Asylum Records SD 5058 (ST-AS-732779 PR) ℗ 1973 Asylum Sound Copyright
The album was recorded with a different lineup than the band's classic era, and it was largely dismissed by critics upon its release. However, "Byrdmaniax" still features some noteworthy tracks, including "I Wanna Grow Up to Be a Politician" and "Glory, Glory."
Learn moreThe core of "Farther Along" was recorded during an intense five-day session in London. The band, led by frontman Roger McGuinn with Chris Hillman, Skip Battin, and Gene Parsons, largely self-produced the album. The emphasis was on live, unadorned recordings that captured their raw energy.
Learn moreThis is the first Dutch release of "Greatest Hits" by "The Byrds" and the record label has a solid Orange colour and the CBS "Walking Eye" Company Logo. Later issues of the Dutch release have an orange to yellow colour grading on the label.
Learn moreEmbassy Records was a budget label famous for selling cover versions of popular hits exclusively through Woolworths stores. They offered cheaper alternatives to original singles, targeting young listeners with limited budgets. Embassy thrived in the 1950s and 60s, known for quick production and affordability
Learn moreThe album's opening track, "Mr Tambourine Man," is a Bob Dylan cover that the band made their own. The song features the band's signature vocal harmonies, jangly guitars, and the distinctive 12-string Rickenbacker guitar played by lead guitarist Roger McGuinn. The song's success helped establish the band
Learn moreThe reunion album aimed to revisit the sound that made The Byrds famous nearly a decade earlier: jangly guitars, tight harmonies, and a folk-country foundation. While some songs echoed the band's earlier work, there was also a sense of seasoned musicianship and a willingness to take subtle risks.
Learn moreBy the time The Byrds entered the studio to record "Sweetheart of the Rodeo," the band had weathered significant changes. Founding members David Crosby and Gene Clark had departed, leaving Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman as the core members. New to the fold were Gram Parsons, a rising star with a passion
Learn moreThe Mono edition of the album is highly sought after by collectors and music enthusiasts. The Mono version of the album is different from the stereo version in that it has a more raw and authentic sound. The Mono edition has a single channel of audio, which gives it a more unified and coherent sound.
Learn moreThe Byrds' "Untitled" album was a double LP set that included both live recordings and studio tracks. The live recordings were taken from concerts that the band had performed at the Fillmore East in New York City and the Fillmore West in San Francisco. The studio tracks were recorded at Columbia Studios
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