The Byrds - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (13 CD, 2011/FLAC)

 

The Byrds were one of the most progressive and exciting band in '60s rock, with no peers outside the Stones-Beatles-Beach Boys triumvirate. This box set, which collects their original Columbia albums, represents over 90-percent of their career, basically everything they released, all 12 albums (aside from their 1973 reunion album recorded for Asylum). This material was frequently astonishing at the time, and still is, ranging from their debut single "Mr. Tambourine Man" through the bracing folk-rock of their first two LPs, growing psychedelia and experimentation during 1966 and 1967, then a sudden detour into country-rock and mellow pop for the rest of the '60s. Whether early linchpins Gene Clark and David Crosby were a part of the lineup or not, the Byrds with Roger McGuinn at the helm always featured tuneful songwriting and accomplished musicianship, qualities which shine through brightly on this collection. Each album comes in a replica LP sleeve, and the package includes all the bonus tracks (plus the liner notes from Johnny Rogan) that were originally included with the mid-'90s expanded reissues; also included is the two-disc Sweetheart of the Rodeo expanded edition, with rehearsals and alternate takes. 

1965 - Mr. Tambourine Man (45:41)

1965 - Turn! Turn! Turn! (49:12)

1966 - Fifth Dimension (62:22)

1967 - Younger Than Yesterday (47:35)

1968 - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (58:27)

1968 - Sweetheart Of The Rodeo (55:05 + 61:20)

1969 - Dr. Byrds And Mr. Hyde (52:07)

1969 - Ballad Of Easy Rider (56:50)

1970 - (Untitled) / (Unissued) (71:25 + 49:25)

1971 - Byrdmaniax (46:51)

1971 - Farther Along (46:03)

 

 

The Byrds - Transmission Impossible [3 CD, 2015]

 

Featuring three full length FM Radio Broadcasts of performances by different incarnations of The Byrds, in 1968, 1973 and 1978 (albeit by then billed as McGuinn, Clark and Hillman) this boxed set provides an excellent showcase of this ever-changing groups live work during the decade that immediately followed their pop career in the earlier part of the 1960s. The first show featured, from the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco in November 1968, was performed at a time of great change and uncertainty. Gram Parsons, who had joined a faltering line up in early 68, had departed prior to a disastrous tour of South Africa for which McGuinn notably had received much criticism. By September 1971, when the performance on the second disc of this set was transmitted, the only further change in line-up had been the replacement of John York - who had been asked to leave in September 1969 - with session bassist Skip Battin. Requiem for the Timeless, is the often overlooked McGuinn, Hillman & Clark project of 1978/79. The album they recorded together was lacklustre and featured an irritating disco-ish backing, but the live shows were magnificent. And at one-such hosted by The Boarding House venue in San Francisco on February 9th 1978, those present were treated to four original members for the price of three when David Crosby showed up. Disc Three of this package features this legendary show in its entirety.

Gram Parsons - A Song For You [7 CD, 2017] (FLAC + 320)

 

American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Gram Parsons is best known for his work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He also popularized what he called “Cosmic American Music”, a hybrid of country, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock. He recorded as a solo artist and with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. His relatively short career was described by AllMusic as “enormously influential” for country and rock, “blending the two genres to the point that they became indistinguishable from each other.” His health deteriorated due to several years of drug abuse and he died in 1973 at the age of 26. The official cause of death was an overdose of morphine and alcohol.

David Crosby - Voyage [3 CD, 2006/FLAC]

 

Voyage is a 3-CD boxset by David Crosby. It features solo stand-outs and classics with legendary groups, including The Byrds, CSN(Y), and CPR plus one full disc of previously unreleased material.