We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago….
By 1971 they were no longer the hit-makers and genre-shakers of the 60’s. The Byrds, who had developed a sound that was labeled folk-rock and later released the seminal country-rock LP “Sweethearts of the Rodeo” were getting tired. Despite still being a popular draw on tour, the two albums released in 1971 were not well received. “Byrdmaniax” crashed and burned quickly in the summer after producer Terry Melcher, without the bands knowledge, larded the production with strings and a gospel choir after the fact. So in a quick five day period in July, while on tour in England, the band went into the studio and cut the tunes that would become the LP “Farther Along”, released in November.
The band at that time was made up of Roger McGuinn, Skip Battin, Gene Parsons and the great guitar player Clarence White.
The guys produced this record themselves and in order to escape the criticism of the last record did it mostly live in the studio for a more stripped down sound. It has its moments.
I personally like the harmonies on “Lazy Waters” and the bluegrass instrumental “Bristol Steam Convention Blues”. “Bugler” is one of the better songs written about a dog and McGuinn’s “Tiffany Queen” is a fine example of Chuck Berry meeting Bob Dylan. They also do a fine version of the bluegrass/gospel classic “Farther Along” that has been cut by tons of folks from Johnny Cash to Willie Nelson to Dolly, Linda and Emmy Lou. Former Byrd Gram Parsons (no relation to Gene) had also sung it with the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Another couple of fun standouts….a cover of the song “So Fine” cut in the 50’s by The Fiestas
The song “America’s National Pastime” set off my memory bank when I played it this week. I know I havent heard the song for probably 50 years but I immediatly remember hearing it on my little transistor radio, so at least one of the local radio stations, WIFC or WRIG, played it back in the day. It was yanked off the air by the record company in short order, probably by pressure from Coca-Cola and the government for its somewhat “subversive” themes…lol ….I’ll bet you’ll remember it too…..
This was the last Byrds LP featuring this lineup and we should take a moment to mention Clarence White who was one of the best country-rock pickers around and was killed by a drunk driver while loading his equipment in his car outside an LA club in 1973. Gram Parsons and Bernie Leadon sang Farther Along at White’s funeral. White, played a different sounding guitar because of a thing called a Stringbender”…I’ll let Marty Stuart, who now owns that guitar, explain…
Farther Along was not a great LP….but it was certainly better than “Byrdmanix” and kind of was a closing coda on the iconic group. McGuinn would move on to solo work although the original members of the Byrds would reunite for one LP in 1973.
I’m taking a couple of days off…so the next musical blog will appear on Monday.
