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The Byrds On Track: Every Album, Every Song
£11.70£15.20 (-23%)
The Byrds were just a little bit ahead of their time. By releasing six genre-defining albums in three years, their transformative powers took electric guitars to traditional folk music, brought jazz into psychedelic pop and helped introduce what we now know as Americana, by being the first major rock band to embrace the sound of Nashville. They were heralded as the pioneers of folk rock, acid rock and country rock, and that’s not to mention space rock, abstract electronics and all the inter-genre crossover material that defines most of their albums. They influenced so many of the musical movements that followed as they kept moving in constant progression, hungry to push the boundaries of popular music. Combining a brief history of the band, and their legacy, this book examines each one of the band’s 12 studio albums. It highlights the many high points, especially from their mercurial 1965 – 1968 era, and the less successful later years when the law of diminishing returns took over. Also discussed within the ‘Connected Flights’ part of each chapter are the band’s contemporaneous non-album singles and B-sides. Previously unreleased tracks that were later released as part of their extensive reissue campaigns will also be covered, making this book one of the most extensive guides to The Byrds’ music yet produced.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Sonicbond Publishing (25 Aug. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1789522803 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1789522808 |
| Dimensions | 14.86 x 1.4 x 20.96 cm |
by Amazon Customer
This book is definitely a 5* read. As a Byrds fan of 40 plus years Andy McArthur has given me the Byrds book I have been waiting for. In many ways it has done for the Byrds what Ian MacDonalds excellent Revolution in the Head did for The Beatles and more. He takes us in detail through every single, album and studio outtake in an incredible level of detail, complete with alot of information that I was unaware of.
Although the author is obviously a massive fan of his subject matter, he does not let that stop him from given a very level headed critical opinion of the bands output. Of course this book does more than just take us through the Byrds recorded output track by track but also gives background and context to this period in time.
I would highly recomend this book to Byrds fans both old and new.
by Barry B
Although only having had this book 24 hours, and therefore yet to go through it in detail, I felt that I must at least record that the time and dedication put into producing it is astonishing. I can only assume that Andy McArthur started compiling it in 1964 and has only just finished. Every Byrds track is listed and commented on in detail, and the book is illustrated with both b&w and colour photos of the band, as well as shots of the album covers. If you love the band as much as Andy clearly does, don’t hesitate to get a copy, for it will sit very comfortably on your bookshelf, alongside the legendary collection of Byrds works by our much missed John Rogan.
by MHO
Andy McArthur’s August 2023 book, The Byrds On Track: Every Album, Every Song, is brilliantly written and very entertaining. An avowed Byrds fan (like myself!) Andy’s love and respect for this acclaimed 60s group shines through on every page. Congratulatory or critical, as each album and each recording individually merits, they are all discussed in detail as the book progresses.
From The Byrds’ very first hit ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ (and even before), through their amazingly creative acid/raga/space rock and experimental electronica of their middle years, then the contentious Sweetheart Of The Rodeo country album of 1968, and on to their ill-fated 1973 reunion LP and beyond, Andy has all the bases covered.
Always interesting, sometimes revelatory, Andy’s writing style encourages old Byrd hands to dig out their vinyl treasures and wallow in nostalgia – with his illuminatory comments at hand to guide them. Those who are new to The Byrds, and might be wondering why all the fuss, might similarly be encouraged to give some of the superb recordings of this exceptional band a listen!
The Byrds On Track is a worthy addition to Sonicbond’s popular On Track series. Well done Andy!
Martin Orkin, author of Rivals Of The Beatles