The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3)

The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3)
by Ric Menck

The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3)
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Book Summary Information

Author: Ric Menck
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-01-30
ISBN: 0826417175
Number of pages: 152
Publisher: Continuum

Book Reviews of The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3)

Book Review: Enthusiastic, informative book about The Byrds' masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars

Thank you Ric Menck for your outstanding new contribution to the literature on The Byrds. Menck's book focuses on The Byrds' masterpiece album, The Notorious Byrd Brothers, which was recorded in 1967 as the original group composed of Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, and Chris Hillman was in the process of disintegrating (even Gene Clark, who had left the year previously, made a brief, mysterious return during this period). The author does an excellent job of providing the historical context for the Byrds: the different personalities, how the group came into being, and their artistic and commercial fate from 1964 to 1967. It is a story that has been told many times (particularly in great detail by John Rogan in "Timeless Flight Revisited"), but Menck manages to bring some fresh details and insights. From my perspective the highlight of the book is Menck's track by track analysis of "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" album. He provides detailed information on the musical performers, as well as notes on the perfomances. Although I have listened to, and loved, this album since it was originally issued in January 1968, Menck opened up new perspectives on it for me. His account of how he became interested in the album is also worthwhile, but the real value of the book is in his careful, well-written essay on the Byrds and their wonderful record from a very troubled time. Let us hope that Menck or some other equally gifted writer can do a similar account of "The Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album!



Summary of The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3)

By the time Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke entered the studio to begin work on this album, they were basically falling apart at the seams. "Ladyfriend", a song written by Crosby, had just failed miserably as a chart single despite the fact that he lobbied hard to get it released. This -- coupled with the fact that he made what the rest of the band considered an embarrassing political speech onstage during their set at the Monterey Pop Festival, and then sat in with rivals the Buffalo Springfield the following day -- pushed McGuinn and Hillman in particular to the limits of their patience. Then, for the Notorious sessions, Crosby presented a song called "Triad", written about a threesome, and although McGuinn and Hillman reluctantly agreed to record it, they later decided to place a less controversial Goffin &King pop number called "Goin' Back" on the album instead. Crosby declared the song banal and refused to sing on it. A few too many studio flare-ups later, McGuinn and Hillman finally screeched up into the Hollywood Hills in their Jaguars and fired Crosby on the spot. Also brooding during this period was drummer Michael Clarke, who had always borne the brunt of the other band members' rage while recording. He was by far the least accomplished member of the band musically, and when they suggested bringing in a studio drummer to embellish some tracks (Jim Gordon, later of Derek &the Dominos fame), he finally declared he'd had enough and moved to Hawaii to get away from the music scene altogether. So, McGuinn and Hillman were left to cobble together an album with the help of producer Gary Usher (known for his work with Brian Wilson, the Millenium, Sagittarius and many others). The fact that it turned out to be one of the defining albums of the 60s psychedelic pop experience was either a sheer stroke of luck, or a testament to McGuinn and Hillman's determination to prove that they didn't need Crosby's help to construct their masterpiece.

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