Roger McGuinn - best solo tracks

part 3 in the Byrds solo careers!

I’ll go for this one...with Dylan on harmonica

 

If indeed this one counts as a 'solo' track...

 

A recent version of Up To Me recorded for a UK magazine cover CD

 

And don’t forget the Folk Den project...an amazing resource containing many many treasures such as this cover of Golden Vanity

Roger McGuinn's Folk Den » Blog Archive » Golden Vanity

 

Not ‘Car Phone.’

 

However, I do like ‘My New Woman.’

 

I have a big fondness for "If We Never Meet Again" from Back to Rio. It sounds abit thin, but the guitar work is sublime and McGuinn shows real heart in his vocals
"Heave Away" from his debut too; a nice mix of his fondness for sea chanties and the 12 string.

 

As a huge Byrds fan, I've always taken a dim view of McGuinn's post-Byrds solo albums (although I think most of Back to Rio is great).

But not long ago Alexa was playing me some random Spotify playlist, and "Easy Does It" (from Roger McGuinn and Band) came on. I had never heard it, and asked Alexa to identify it. I was quite astonished to learn who the artist was, because it really doesn't sound anything like McGuinn, musically or vocally.

I have to confess that I like this song quite a bit.

 

From the "Easy Rider" soundtrack, this inspired cover of Dylan's "It's Alright Ma"...

Yeah, I know it's not equal to Dylan's version...but it resonated powerfully when I first saw the film 50 years ago, and heard Roger's version.

 

Love this:

 

Love how this builds on the back of The Rickenbacker. ...............

 

Roger McGuinn - Eight Miles Hight (Live from Spain)

 

My favorite solo McGuinn is "Painted Lady" off Roger McGuinn & Band (1975), written by his then drummer and keyboardist.

 

To my mind the entirely of Cardiff Rose towers over everything else he did without the Byrds (and some with). Brilliant one off, though Back From Rio has its moments.

To single out one track, Joni's "Dreamland"

 

Today it's this...

 

A tremendous McGuinn solo track is Russian Hill from Thunderbird (1977). It’s a co-write with Jacques Levy that dramatically evokes the atmosphere of the San Francisco neighbourhood.

 

Without Your Love always gets me right in the heart - it's beautiful and with the addition of Crosby and Hillman... it's just so wonderful.

 

One of a very small number of songs that has actually moved me to tears.

It's wonderful on its own, but knowing that David and Chris are singing with Roger adds even more emotional impact to it.

 

Thanks for the reminder - I didn't know that the Folk Den was still online.

 

This

 

King Of The Hill.

 

My favorite solo McGuinn track!

 

Netflix Trial of the Chicago 7 should have this as part of their soundtrack. Always loved this..

I see where Tom is planning
To join the government
And Rennie says this friend of his
Is probably Heaven sent
Jerry's into therapy
And says he feels content
Oh oh, da da dee da
Lee is back on welfare
John's up in the East
Dave is still resisting'
He hasn't changed the least
And Bobby could run Oakland
If the prisoners were released