Very Best Of The Byrds

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
27 track comprehensive collection of their biggest & best from the '60s & '70s, including 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'All I Really Want To Do', 'Chimes Of Freedom', 'He Was A Friend Of Mine', 'I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better', 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 'Turn! Turn! Turn!', 'Eight Miles High', 'Mr. Spaceman', 'Jesus Is Just Alright', 'Chestnut Mare' and'So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star'. 1997 Columbia release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Mr. Tambourine Man
I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
All I Really Want To Do
Turn! Turn! Turn!
World Turns All Around Her
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
5d
Eight Miles High
I See You
So You Want To Be A Rock'n'roll Star?
Have You Seen Her Face
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
Hickory Wind
Goin' Back
Change Is Now
Chestnut Mare
Chimes Of Freedom
Times They Are A-Changin'
Dolphin's Smile
My Back Pages
Mr. Spaceman
Jesus Is Just Alright
This WheelS On Fire
Ballad Of Easy Rider

Album Description

2006 compilation featuring 24 of the best tracks by this influential '60s band. Includes 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'Turn Turn Turn', 'Eight Miles High', 'My Back Pages', 'I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better', 'So You Want To Be A Rock 'N Roll Star', 'Ballad Of Easy Rider' and more. Sony/BMG.

Album Details

2006 Digitally Remastered Collection of the 60's Pop Icons' Recordings Culled from a Companion Box Set Released the Same Year. 24 Great Songs on a Single CD!

The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll: Folk Rock 1964-1967

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The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll: Folk Rock 1964-1967
The Byrds , The Cyrkle , Donovan , The Mamas and the Papas , Hedgehoppers Anonymous , Harpers Bizarre , The Silkie , Sonny , Bob Lind , and Barry McGuire
Manufacturer: Time Life Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RRWD92

Product Description

The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll - Folk Rock 1964-1967 - Various Artists [1993] Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds (M)/When You Walk In The Room - Searchers (S)/Laugh Laugh - Beau Brummels (S, ends cold)/All I Really Want To Do - Cher (S)/Turn-Down Day - Crykle (S)/I'll Never Find Another You - Seekers (M)/You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Silkie (M)/Do You Believe In Magic - Lovin' Spoonful (S)/Where Were You When I Needed You - Grass Roots (S, 45 version)/Sloop John B - Beach Boys (M)/Catch The Wind - Donovan (M)/Turn Turn Turn - Byrds (M)/Monday Monday - Mamas & Papas (S)/It Ain't Me Babe - Turtles (S)/Laugh At Me - Sonny (M)/It's A Good News Week - Hedgehopper's Anonymous (M)/The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - Harpers Bizarre (S)/Mr. Dieingly Sad - Critters (S)/Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind (S)/This Precious Time - P.F. Sloan (S)/Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire (S)

1967: Blowin' Your Mind (Time Life Music Classic Rock)

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1967: Blowin' Your Mind (Time Life Music Classic Rock)
The Byrds , The Beach Boys , The Mamas and the Papas , Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston , Robert Knight , Peaches and Herb , James and Bobby Purify , Miriam Makeba , The Turtles , and The Tremeloes
Manufacturer: Time Life Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RSL7MK

Product Description

Track list: 1) The Byrds - So You Want To Be A Rock N Roll Star, 2) The Beach Boys - Heroes And Villains, 3) Mamas And The Papas - Words Of Love, 4) Marvin Gaye And Kim Weston - It Takes Two, 5) Robert Knight - Everlasting Love, 6) Peaches And Herb - Close Your Eyes, 7) James And Bobby Purfy - Shake A Tail Feather, 8) Joe Tex - Skinny Legs And All, 9) The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game, 10) The Tremeloes - Here Comes My Baby, 11) Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness, 12) The Four Tops - Seven Rooms Of Gloom, 13) Miriam Makeba - Pata Pata, 14) Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Honey Chile, 15) The Casinos - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, 16) The Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941, 17) The Lovin' Spoonful - Darling Be Home Soon, 18) The Box Tops - Neon Rainbow, 19) The Hombres - Let It Out, 20) The Turtles - She's My Girl, 21) The Young Rascals - How Can I Be Sure, 22) Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved A Man

Average customer rating:

Byrds - 'The Very Best Of The Byrds' (Sony)
GREAT SONGS WELL PROGRAMMED
Great introduction to their music

Very Best of the Byrds
The Byrds
Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000025QEC
Release Date: 1997-11-17

Tracks:

So You Want to Be a Rock
Goin Back
Wild Mountain Thyme
Nothing Was Delivered
Chimes of Freedom
Draft Morning
I Come and Stand at Every
Artificial Energy
5 D Fifth Dimension
You Aint Going Nowhere
Renaissance Fair
Change Is Now
Whats Happening
Have You Seen Her Face
My Back Pages
Get to You
Bells of Rhymney
Eight Miles High
I See You
Natural Harmony

Album Description

27 track comprehensive collection of their biggest & best from the '60s & '70s, including 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'All I Really Want To Do', 'Chimes Of Freedom', 'He Was A Friend Of Mine', 'I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better', 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 'Turn! Turn! Turn!', 'Eight Miles High', 'Mr. Spaceman', 'Jesus Is Just Alright', 'Chestnut Mare' and'So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star'. 1997 Columbia release.

Customer Reviews:

Byrds - 'The Very Best Of The Byrds' (Sony).......2006-09-21

A superb 27 track collection of many of the best/better material the Byrds had recorded through out their career.Do keep in mind they were JUST as heavily influential like the Beatles,Doors,Stones and Beach Boys on artists that came along after them.Never actually realized they covered SO many Dylan songs,like "Mr.Tambourine Man","Chimes Of Freedom","The Times Are A-Changing","My Back Pages","Lay Lady Lay" and several others.Plus,there are the major hits you remember such as the timeless "Eight Miles High","Mr.Spaceman","One Hundred Years From Now","Ballad Of Easy Rider",the list goes on.Highly recommended.Would make a great gift.

GREAT SONGS WELL PROGRAMMED.......2005-07-19

UPDATE - BE CAREFUL - 6/16/07

Since writing my review Amazon (surely in error) has replaced this CD's 27 track listing with a 20 track list containing different songs. The album I have is "The Byrds /The Very Best Of" -- same cover and title as pictured on this site. Mine is Columbia/Sony U.K. 1997, 487995 2. It's 27 track contents:

(1) Mr. Tambourine Man
(2) All I Really Want Yo Do
(3) Chimes of Freedom
(4) I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
(5) Turn! Turn! Turn!
(6) The Times They Are A-Changin'
(7) The World Turns All Around Her
(8) It Won't Be Wrong
(9) He Was A Friend of Mine (1990 w/McGuinn/Crosby/Hillman)
(10) Eight Miles High
(11) 5D (Fifth Dimension)
(12) Mr. Spaceman
(13) So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star
(14) My Back Pages
(15) Renaissance Fair
(16) Goin' Back
(17) Wasn't Born To Follow
(18) Dolphin's Smile
(19) You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
(20) One Hundred Years Drom Now (original released track)
(21) You're Still On My Mind
(22) Hickory Wind
(23) Ballad of Easy Rider
(24) Jesus is Just Alright
(25) It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (1969 "Easy Rider" album cut)
(26) Lay Lady Lay (overdubbed single)
(27) Chestnut Mare

I suspect if you order this CD, the above it what you will get -- but I can't confirm that!

Below is my original review of this CD....

* * *

This SONY (U.K.) 1997 compilation of great songs gracefully programmed makes for very good listening, and is a fine introduction to the Byrds for newcomers.

It will also please most -- but not all -- diehard fans.

The 27 tracks and "Very Best of" format allows the uncredited compiler to cover most of the essential classics with plenty of space remaining to indulge in his personal taste.

It's refreshing to hear rarely compiled songs like 'The World Turns All Around Her' in this set. The four lovely selections from "Sweetheart" (including both Gram Parsons vocals) are also welcome. But "Dr. Byrds," "Byrdmaniax," and "Farther Along" albums are omitted completely, and only 'Chestnut Mare' appears from the double album "(Untitled)".

This collection generally favors the "prettiest" of the Byrds at the expense of heavier efforts like 'This Wheel's on Fire' and 'Lover of the Bayou'. As such it works a narrower groove that doesn't reflect the full range of this band nearly as well as "The Essential Byrds". But within its groove it is near flawless.

SONG VERSIONS:

These are the classic tracks as originally released -- with one major exception:

'He Was A Friend of Mine' is not from "Turn! Turn! Turn!" It's the 1990 track recorded by McGuinn/Hillman/Crosby for the Boxed Set. It's lovely enough, but it is not the original and should have been properly identified.

And just to clarify a few others ....

'It's All Over Now, Baby Blue' is the 1969 version from "Ballad of Easy Rider," not the unreleased 1965 track on the Expanded "Turn!" album. It's nice to see this version finally on a compilation -- it is inexplicably omitted even from "Byrds Play Dylan".

'Lay Lady Lay' is the overdubbed single, not the stripped version on Expanded "Dr. Byrds". This is a difficult song to program because in most contexts it just doesn't sound like the Byrds. However, it works very well here, between 'Baby Blue' 69' and 'Chestnut Mare.'

'Turn! Turn! Turn!' is the standard monaural track, not the stereo version exclusive to the 1990 Boxed Set and "20 Essential Tracks".

SECOND GUESSING:

Of course everybody is a programmer these days but... If dipping into the Boxed Set, I'd probably have used the stereo verion of the original '65 'Friend' (because it's from the "Turn" session) and also the stereo version of 'Turn!'.

And if other than originally released cuts are allowed (as here), I much prefer the full 2:26 version of 'Ballad of Easy Rider' which is a bonus cut on that album. Those extra 26 seconds allow Clarence White an instrumental break, in addition to which he pops in with brief instrumental "fill" throughout. This makes the song much more interesting (to me). I suspect the 2:00 released version was cut to the bone to encourage airplay.

SONG PROGRAM SEQUENCE:

Though all the songs listed by Amazon are on this CD, they are programmed differently on the copy I received. This was a little disappointing because the listed Amazon program intrigued me and was a reason for ordering this. (I ordered from one of Amazon's alternate suppliers, so maybe there are differently programmed versions of this album than U.K., though that seems unlikely.)

Amazon's song listing is surely just garbled, but still I found a refreshing creative logic to it:

It is straight chronological through "5D," but then skips the "Younger Than Yesterday" set and goes into "Notorious" but also omits 'Goin' Back'. Next comes the "Sweetheart" and "Easy Rider" tracks, followed by 'Lay Lady Lay' and 'Chestnut Mare'. The program then returns to the Byrds' glory years with the three "Younger Than Yesterday" tracks and ends with 'Goin' Back'' as a sort of coda. I rather liked this imaginative programming but....

The CD I received omits the above wrinkle and opts for straight chronology. The last 4 songs at the bottom of the Amazon program appear on my disk after 'Mr. Spaceman', though 'Lay Lady Lay' (released shortly after "Dr. Byrds") remains misplaced. Still nice listening but more straightforward. I've played this disk using the Amazon program and enjoyed mixing things up with a return to the glory years after 'Chestnut Mare'.

BOTTOM LINE:

"Best of" offers an excellent selection of songs, good sound quality, and is cleanly programmed for enjoyable listening. Though a subjective and less than comprehensive collection, this is one of the best -- beautifully done and a very nice introduction to the Byrds.

Looking over my above review, I think I've been grasping a little too desperately for something to nit-pick. Basically those who believe only the first six Byrds albums are essential will probably give this 5+ stars. Fans of the later Byrds may feel 3 stars is generous. I think they're both right and compromise with 4 stars. But really can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

Great introduction to their music.......2005-04-02

The history of the Byrds is long and complex, involving many line-up changes and various musical styles. This compilation contains all the essential tracks including their six UK hits. It begins, of course, with Mr Tambourine man, the song that was an international number one hit for them, firmly establishing their career as well as giving a considerable boost to the career of Bob Dylan, who wrote the song. It is still the song that the Byrds are best remembered for but, as this collection shows, there is much more to their music than just one song.

Classic songs such as All I really want to do, Turn turn turn, Eight miles high, Mr Spaceman, So you want to be a rock and roll star, You ain't going nowhere, Hickory wind, Ballad of easy rider and Chestnut mare are all here. Byrds fans all have their own favorite album tracks and can disagree about which ones should have been included (I particularly like America's great national pastime, not included here) but all the tracks that really matter are here.

The Byrds were sometimes promoted as America's answer to the Beatles but they were never that, especially as their line-up changed so frequently. Nevertheless, they were one of the most important pop groups of the sixties and (like the Beatles) they have been a major influence on those that followed.

As an introduction to the music of the Byrds, this is hard to improve on in a single CD.

Average customer rating:

Very Best of

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000GLKN6E
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Very Best Of The Byrds (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Very Best Of, indeed

Very Best Of The Byrds (Limited Edition)
The Byrds
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000APS6
Release Date: 2002-06-03

Tracks:

So You Want to Be a Rock
Goin Back
Wild Mountain Thyme
Nothing Was Delivered
Chimes of Freedom
Draft Morning
I Come and Stand at Every
Artificial Energy
5 D Fifth Dimension
You Aint Going Nowhere
Renaissance Fair
Change Is Now
Whats Happening
Have You Seen Her Face
My Back Pages
Get to You
Bells of Rhymney
Eight Miles High
I See You
Natural Harmony

Album Details

Limited edition special digi-packaging.

Customer Reviews:

The Very Best Of, indeed.......2000-09-08

Because my formative years were really in the 70s and not the 60s, I have never been a huge Byrds fan. Through the years however, I have come to appreciate both the startling quality of their output and their importance and place in rock's history.

It's for these reasons that I was so pleased to find a copy of this particular CD. It is by far the best single disc collection of the group's work to date. Comprised of 27(!) tracks, the disc clocks in at just over 75 minutes, and none of it could be considered filler. All of the obvious Byrds tracks you would expect are here (Mr.Tambourine Man; Turn, Turn, Turn; etc.) as well as some excellent album tracks (Hickory Wind, Jesus Is Just Alright). All of the group's various line-ups are represented (I think) with at least one track (not counting the 1990 "box set reunion" group) giving a very nice overview of the group's history.

The version I bought is the 1997 re-mastered version, and has wonderful sound. I no longer have need for my "20 Essential Tracks CD", as this one outshines it in almost every possible way - the lone exception being the liner notes which are not quite as complete as those on the "Essential" disc. Still, if you have even a minimal interest in the Byrds or 60s music in general, this disc should be in your music library.

Average customer rating:

Byrds - 'The Very Best Of The Byrds' (Sony)

GREAT SONGS WELL PROGRAMMED

Great introduction to their music

Very Best Of The Byrds
Byrds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00000C3H5

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Byrds - 'The Very Best Of The Byrds' (Sony).......2006-09-21

GREAT SONGS WELL PROGRAMMED.......2005-07-19

Great introduction to their music.......2005-04-02

Folk Favorites of the '60s and '70s (Reader's Digest Music)

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Folk Favorites of the '60s and '70s (Reader's Digest Music)
Harry Chapin , Jim Croce , Carly Simon , Melanie , James Taylor , The New Seekers , Trini Lopez , The Mamas and the Papas , Burl Ives , and Sailcat
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000MEUUFO

Product Description

4 CD set released by Reader's Digest Music in 1996. Contains 80 of the greatest folk songs from the 1960s and 1970s! 1. Taxi - Harry Chapin 2. I Got A Name - Jim Croce 3. That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be - Carly Simon 4. Brand New Key - Melanie 5. Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt 6. Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac 7. You've Got A Friend - James Taylor 8. I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) - The New Seekers 9. Reuben James - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition 10. Catch The Wind Donovan 11. Reverend Mr. Black - The Kingston Trio 12. Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell 13. If I Had A Hammer - Trini Lopez 14. Rain On The Roof - The Lovin' Spoonful 15. I Got You Babe - Sonny And Cher 16. Ebony Eyes - The Everly Brothers 17. Windy - The Association 18. Turn Around - Jimmie Rodgers 19. I Saw Her Again Last Night - The Mamas And The Papas 1. Both Sides Now - Judy Collins 2. Everything That Touches You - The Association 3. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - Harpers Bizarre 4. Time - The Pozo-Seco Singers 5. Lemon Tree - Trini Lopez 6. Classical Gas - Mason Williams 7. Lazy Day - Spanky And Our Gang 8. A Little Bitty Tear Burl Ives 9. Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers 10. Sweet Memories - Mickey Newbury 11. Never My Love - The Association 12. Creeque Alley - The Mamas And The Papas 13. Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind - The Lovin' Spoonful 14. Galveston Glen Campbell 15. Leaving On A Jet Plane - The Mitchell Trio Featuring John Denver 16. Greenback Dollar - The Kingston Trio 17. All I Really Want To Do - The Byrds 18. Alice's Rock & Roll Restaurant - Arlo Guthrie 19. Long Time Gone - Crosby, Stills & Nash 20. The Beat Goes On - Sonny And Cher 21. Child Of Clay - Jimmie Rogers ...and 40 more songs!

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