More of The Byrds
More Sixties Pop Recordings
- This early Columbia 360 Stereo pressing boasts incredible Nearly Triple Plus (A++ to A+++) sound from start to finish, just shy of our Shootout Winner – exceptionally quiet vinyl too
- Lively, balanced and vibrant, with boatloads of the Tubey Magical richness these recordings need in order to work
- Listen to how amazingly breathy Jim McGuinn’s vocals are – his vocals are key to the better sounding Byrds records
- These early Byrds records are becoming increasingly hard to find in playable condition; this is only the second copy to hit the site in a long time!
- 5 stars: “One of the greatest debuts in the history of rock … nothing less than a significant step in the evolution of rock & roll itself, demonstrating that intelligent lyrical content could be wedded to compelling electric guitar riffs and a solid backbeat.”
- If you’re a fan of the Byrds, this is a Classic from 1965 that belongs in your collection.
- The complete list of titles from 1965 that we’ve reviewed to date can be found here.
Tubey Magic? This copy has a healthy dose of it on both sides.
Want to hear exactly what I’m talking about? Play Chimes of Freedom, one of the best sounding tracks on side two, if not THE best. Listen to how breathy Jim (later Roger) McGuinn’s vocals are. Byrds records almost never sound like that.
I Knew I’d Want You is another one that sounds amazingly Tubey Magical on the best pressings.
By the time you get to track two on side one you’re hearing one of my favorite Byrds song of all time: I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better. It’s energetic and very present on this copy.
Notice that Gene Clark’s vocals usually sound better than Roger McGuinn’s. For some reason they tend to brighten up McGuinn’s vocals, and the last thing you ever want to do with a Byrds recording is make it brighter.
But having said that, most of the reissues are too thin and bright compared to the best originals. (more…)