Someone on Twitter just posted a link to Roger's 1970 interview with Rolling Stone. Spoiler alert: he talks about gadgets. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-rolling-stone-interview-roger-mcguinn-19701029
I've loved "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn, Turn, Turn" since I was a kid but I hadn't gone any further until I last year. For someone like myself, Essential Byrds is an good overview of the Byrds' career.
Crosby's tweet about Kanye a couple of days ago got lots of press, but I'd just as soon folks paid attention to this one:
I just stumbled upon this 1973 Cameron Crowe interview with Roger McGuinn talking about the Byrds reunion. There seemed so much potential at the time: http://www.theuncool.com/2013/07/14/archives-roger-mcguinn-on-the-byrds/
Hey, just wondering -- are there tracks on those two "Byrds Parts" CD compilations on the Raven label that still appear nowhere else but on one of those volumes?
I'm pretty sure everything on the first Byrd Parts is available elsewhere, but Byrd Parts II has some completely exclusive tracks: Why Can't I Have Her Back Again If I Hang Around (Gene Clark demos) You Ain't Goin' Nowhere Nothin' to It (The Byrds with Earl Scruggs circa 1972) Knockin' on Heaven's Door (McGuinn and Clark live in 1977) Shoot 'Em (McGuinn/Hillman outtake 1981) Plus, the two City Surfers tracks (featuring McGuinn on guitar) are unavailable on any other CD, though they appeared on vinyl back in the day.
I love how Gene's voice is front and center on the first 2 songs of this performance. And the camera focus is on Gene as much as Roger.
My wife & I saw Randy Scruggs waiting for take-out at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant the other night. In the video he is the teenage, curly- haired acoustic guitarist standing between his father Earl & Clarence. His older brother Gary is the 2nd bass player who sings a verse of "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere'. Randy owns a recording studio not far from the restaurant.
Interesting event McGuinn is doing tomorrow at Monmouth University. Anyone ever attend anything like this with him that might be able to advise what to expect in more detail? Roger McGuinn Workshop and Guitar Circle April 23, 2015 | 1:00 PM | Wilson Hall This workshop will include a history of the Byrds' musical revolution as well as highlighting the computer techniques McGuinn uses in recording. Bring your guitar to participate in the Guitar Circle! http://www.monmouth.edu/templates/EventDetail.aspx?id=40802196121
Well that was really a treat. He talked about his early career with Limelighters, Chad Mitchell trio, Bobby Darin, Hoyt Axton, Judy Collins, Tom and Jerry,Brill Building and City Surfers and forming Byrds for an hour. Then led about a dozen of us guitarists picking and harmonizing with him on Tambourine Man, Turn Turn Turn, Feel a Whole Lot Better, Chimes of Freedom, R&R Star and Bells of Rhymney, then signed my guitar and snapped a photo with me. A priceless experience and memory to have. Best $25 I have ever spent.
There were a couple Rick 12s including one that was Roger's signature model. I had an Applause 3/4 size model that I have carried around a bunch of places to collect signatures. It already had Hillman's on it but unfortunately that had largely worn away as Chris signed it where a pick guard would be if the guitar had one, so it was worn off by pick action.
Pointless post alert: In personal news, while I had listened to their first 6 albums before a couple of times I only liked the "hits" and famous songs. A couple weeks ago I re-listened to them and finally got the appeal of Younger Than Yesterday and The Notorious Byrds Brothers. Still can't find love for Sweetheart though but still, Byrds progress!
I picked up Silver Meteor at the weekend for the final Clarence White tracks and I am curious to know who the Mystery Band is performing One Hundred Years on the last track of the CD - anyone know? Sounds a lot like the Flyte track but definitely not Gene singing.