Preflyte [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Reissue of 1969 compilation featuring the legendary sessions recorded by Gary Usher before they signed to Columbia. Remastered from the original master tapes. Poptones. 2001 release.

Tracks:

You Showed Me
Here Without You
She Has a Way
The Reason Why
For Me Again
Boston
You Movin
The Airport Song
You Wont Have to Cry
I Knew Id Want You
Mr. Tambourine Man

Album Description

In those heady days before they knocked AM radio (and the British Invasion) for a loop with their smash single "Mr. Tambourine Man" in the spring of '65, the Byrds were busy honing their repertoire, cutting early versions of brilliant songs like "You Showed Me," "She Has a Way" and "Boston." Produced by Jim Dickson, and sporting the original Keith Olsen stereo mixes, Preflyte is a hypnotic backward glance at the musical baby pictures of McGuinn, Crosby, Clark & Co. just before they changed the whole world—for the first time!

Customer Reviews:

BABY PICTURES.......2006-12-01

Way back in 1969, a little-known Record Company called Together Records released a Little gem of Album called PREFLYTE by the Best Sixties Rock N' Roll Band, America's Own, The Byrds.

Most Records back then were sold in Drug Stores and that's where I found this neat Little Curio. I hadn't Listened to a Byrd's LP since "Younger Than Yesterday", But this sure looked interesting...so for $3.99 I was on my way home to give this a spin on the Record Player.

It begins with "You Showed Me" already a hit for the Turtles, but this was a McQuinn-Clark tune, and it was much better than the Over-Produced Version by those Hard-Shelled Byrd's Wannabe's, I could tell this Wierd little Record was Something Special Right away. Firstly Gene Clark's Vocals are more Up-Front along side Jim ( Later Known as Roger) McQuinn. This is very close in sound to the Folk Records of 1958-1962, but it's a BEAUTIFUL SOUND, yes, these are Baby Steps for this about to be BIG Band, but, they were ALREADY Producing Great Music, Thank's to the Writtings of a Certain Gene Clark ( Who composed 9 of the 11 Tracks Featured here on PREFLYTE ). This Music has a Heavy Beatle's Influnence to it, But, for all it's Merseybeat Edge, it is still Rooted in American folk. This was only 1964, the only Music from America that got played on the Radio besides The Beatles, The Animals or the Really Cool Zombies was from Surf Groups as Jan & Dean or The Beach Boys. But of course it would be Five Years before PREFLYTE was released, we would all soon Know how Great The Byrd's were. But In fact this was a Group of Guy's Just LEARNING their craft, learning how to play these New Electric Insruments, Learning How, to find their way through a Proper Recording Session. Even how to Look Cool enough to make the Little Girls Scream. This was indeed Quite a beginning.

All the things that make the Byrd's great can be heard right here. Compared to the Versions you already know these are Softer than what they became a year or two later down the road, but the Talent is Right Here for all to hear. "She Has A Way', "The Reason Why", "For Me Again", "I Knew I'd Want You" all sound fresh & brand new in their early versions. "Mr. Tambourine Man" comes close to what it would later be and Michael Clark's Military Beat used here ain't half- bad, ( before this he was using Cardboard Boxes, to keep the Beat).

Even David Crosby get's a Chance with "The Airport Song", with it's Haunting Vocal and Great use of Minor Chords it's another Highlight on a Record full of em'.
Thing's would change Big Time for The Byrd's when "Mr. Tambourine Man" was re-done with a BIG Rickenbacker Electric 12 String Sound by Mr. McQuinn and lot's of Backing Studio Guys. But when I Hear this Music all these Years later I still smile and I still Believe we were SO LUCKY to have these guys, The Best American Band of the Sixties, THE BYRD"S.

FINALLY! Just the original LP on CD........2006-08-20

This is the first time that the Preflyte album has been released on CD. Before this, you either had to buy "In the Beginning" which didn't contain the same versions of the songs, or the "Preflyte Sessions" which contained the songs from Preflyte, plus a whole lot more at a bigger price. Finally, for those of us who have the original LP, we have a high-quality digital master of the material at a reasonable price. Winner!

In terms of the material, this is a collection of demos recorded in 1964 before the band was signed to Columbia Records. It contains early versions of some songs that ended up on the Byrds' debut album, "Mr. Tambourine Man", as well as some other songs that have never been released elsewhere. This is essential for fans.

Average customer rating:

The reason why you need this CD
you need it
Byrth of the Byrds
EMBRYONIC JOURNEY
Essential For Byrds Fans

Preflyte Sessions
The Byrds , and Byrds
Manufacturer: Sundazed Music Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Byrds
Younger Than Yesterday
Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde
The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds Untitled

ASIN: B00005UCG5
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

The Reason Why (II)
You Wont Have To Cry (electric)
She Has A Way (IV)
You Showed Me (electric)
Here Without You (II)
Dont Be Long
I Knew Id Want You (electric II)
Boston (II)
Tomorrow Is A Long Ways Away (electric)
For Me Again (II)
Its No Use (II)
You Movin (III)
Please Let Me Love You
The Airport Song
Mr. Tambourine Man (electric)
She Has A Way (III)
I Knew Id Want You (electric I)
Boston (inst.)
You Showed Me (inst.)
The Times They Are A Changin (inst.)

Tracks:

The Only Girl I Adore
Tomorrow Is A Long Ways Away (acoustic)
You Showed Me (acoustic)
I Knew Id Want You (acoustic)
You Wont Have To Cry (acoustic)
Mr. Tambourine Man (acoustic)
Willie Jean (David Crosby)
Come Back Baby (David Crosby)
Jack Of Diamonds (David Crosby)
Get Together (David Crosby)
She Has A Way (I)
Here Without You (I)
For Me Again (I)
Its No Use (I)
You Movin (I)
Boston (I)
She Has A Way (II)
You Movin (II)
The Reason Why (II)
Its No Use (III)

Album Description

The most comprehensive collection of the Byrds' pre-Columbia recordings ever assembled! Deluxe double compact disc set • 52 page booklet

Also available as 180 gm gatefold double LP Before turning rock `n' roll on its ear in 1965, the Byrds spent countless hours creating and refining their unique sound at LA's World Pacific Studios, where they recorded newborn, spine-tingling versions of classics-to-be like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and lost gems such as “You Showed Me” (later a smash for the Turtles).

The 2-CD (and double 180 gram gatefold LP) Preflyte Sessions — the most comprehensive collection of the Byrds' pre-Columbia recordings ever assembled — captures the newly-kindled fire and enthusiasm of one of the most legendary and influential groups of all time.

Album Description

From Sundazed, the most comprehensive collection of the Byrds' pre-Columbia recordings ever assembled. The 2-CD (& double 180gm gatefold LP set) 'Preflyte Sessions' set is filled with 40 World Pacific Studio recordings circa 1964 and '65; tracks include all cuts found on the original Together-label 'Preflyte' album, plus unissued & alternate versions from both the acoustic and electric Byrds' sessions, early David Crosby demo recordings, and the rare pre-Byrds Jet Set recording of 'The Only Girl I Adore'. The CD set, housed in a full color slipcase, is accompanied by a lavish 52-page booklet with a historical essay by Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke - based on new interviews with Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, original Byrds' manager Jim Dickson and others present at the sessions - and is handsomely adorned with an absolute wealth of previously unpublished photos by Jim Dickson and

Customer Reviews:

The reason why you need this CD.......2007-05-28

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I have always made it a priority to hear any material by the great 60's Los Angeles and San Francisco bands.

My mission has never stopped with the normal releases. When I can get a key to a vault and hear a band before they would take off it is fascinating to compare what was to what would be.

Preflyte Sessions aren't throw away tracks. With the vocal ability of the band even in the early stages it is not hard to see why they could take the next giant step.

If you have most of the fine Byrds albums in the collection don't compare this to what you own. Let it stand on its own.

Even those that have heard some of these tunes on unreleased recordings will like the sound quality and how the tracks are put together for Preflyte.

The Byrds should have been more appreciated for being able to handle the personal changes and take on new musical styles and win.

You often here they were a great American band, they were but....

They were a great band period and the msuic has held up very well. When you have a bit of time go back to yesterday and sing along, nobody is in the room but you and the band.

Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

you need it.......2007-02-04

Any fan of the Byrds and Gene Clark should have this in their collection . I never had either half of this material when it was released previously by both Rhino and Together, and put off buying it due to spotty reviews. Throw that mess out of your mind and get a copy . The Sundazed label did a great job on the whole package and it's a valuable addition to my collection. The sets have a lot of fascinating stuff , but hearing the original acoustic version of " you Showed Me The Way " by itself is worth it.

Byrth of the Byrds.......2003-12-08

An awesome collection two disc's that compile the original lp Preflyte plus the 80's collection In The Begining.This is the birth of folk rock.These sessions in 1964 offer acoustic and electric versions of songs that ended up on Mr.Tambourine Man and songs that didn't make their debut in 1965. Also included are solo tracks from David Crosby which show off his remarkable voice.Checkout Get Together which would become a standard by the Youngbloods in the late 60's.The Reason Why a song written by Gene Clark is a neat mix of the Beatles and Bo Diddley.The electric version of You Showed Me and The Airport Song also are great Byrdsongs that never made it on the debut.Tomorrow is along Ways Away and The Only Girl I Adore realy show a Mersey Beat influence which was gone by the time of their first lp.Finaly you can here embryonic versions of Mr.Tambourine Man where Mike Clarke plays a military beat and You Showed Me where Clarke plays drums on cardboard boxes. A must have for all fans of the Byrds and folk rock.

EMBRYONIC JOURNEY.......2003-07-08

For those of us who believe the Byrds in their heyday were and remain the greatest American rock band, this collection is an essential look into how they got there. Four young men find their "voices" as singers, songwriters and harmonists in a 40-track collection that includes little of the "demo-itis" that usually plagues collections of this sort. The band hadn't yet hit their TAMBOURINE MAN through YOUNGER THAN YESTERDAY stride, of course, but the music contained in this collection is better than much of what was being "officially" released in the U.S. at the time. The sound of the Byrds can be heard today in everyone from 16 Horsepower to REM, and anyone interested in the evolution of great American rock music should check this out.

Essential For Byrds Fans.......2002-12-11

This is the definitive document on the birth of the Byrds, and how they sounded before recording the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single. All the material included on In the Beginning and Preflyte is included here along with many alternate takes, and four early David Crosby recordings. There is much excellent music on this CD even if the performances are less polished, and songwriting has more of a Beatles influence. The songs are almost always original, and there are great ones (some by Gene Clark in particular) that were not included on their first album on Columbia. The drawback to this release is that the many alternate takes are not as good as the cuts that made up the original In the Beginning and Preflyte. However, this is the only album that collects everything plus, and it is good to have all the material in one place. Perhaps it would have been better if each song were represented once in the best version or occasionally twice. This would have whittled the album down to around twenty tracks, which would have made it easy to play from start to finish. Another reason to get this is because of the well made fifty page booklet of essays and pictures. If you look around, you may be able to find this album for around twenty dollars (in the US). I really feel this is essential for Byrds fans to own.

Average customer rating:

Some accurate information
This Preflyte Will Make You Feel Good Inside!
Not a great reissue...
Is This Preflyte?

Preflyte
The Byrds
Manufacturer: Poptones
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005J9N3
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

You Showed Me
Here Without You
She Has A Way
The Reason Why
For Me Again
Boston
You Movin'
The Airport Song
You Won't Have To Cry
I Knew I'd Want You
Mr. Tambourine Man

Album Description

Reissue of 1969 compilation featuring the legendary sessions recorded by Gary Usher before they signed to Columbia. Remastered from the original master tapes. Poptones. 2001 release.

Album Details

A must for Byrds fans. Reissue of this collection of rare early alternate versions..

Customer Reviews:

Some accurate information.......2006-05-13

This product was taken from a vinyl copy of the Together version It was not produced by Gary Usher.(he was co-owner of Together Records) He didn't meet the Byrds until after Meltcher and Stanton produced them at CBS (now Sony) When CBS and Rhino released their versions, these tapes were not returned from Together, which used Keith Olsen mixes. The new Sundazed (shorter version) is made from those recovered Olsen tapes, the long version is all new mixes made by Bob Irwin. Poptones no longer has any right to re-produce Preflyte The Sundazed long version includes everything recorded by the Byrds pre CBS. The short version IS the original Preflyte.(including a reproduction of the cover)

Jim Dickson (producer)

This Preflyte Will Make You Feel Good Inside!.......2005-12-07

I'll try to make this simple. I've seen this release get disrespect and it doesn't deserve it. All the releases of this material are great for us Byrd fans. But I tell you the sound quality, the remixing and any post production done before it was put out is a gas. If you don't get a slug in the chest by "Boston" and the fantastic "You Movin' you just might be deceased! This collection's sound quality is excellent and with the original Preflyte song lineup, it's a bargain and a real treat. Remember the tapes used for these masters, they being used over and over again. Ever do that with a cassette? If so, you know you can only take tape so far. This just might be the winner over all the rereleases of this material in that the sound quality is excellent and the song lineup isn't overdone to the max (even though I can't get enough of my Byrds). I have been screaming for years to use today's technology with the past in that let's have two versions released of all the great groups of the sixties primarily. Anyhow, don't let anything scare you away from this collection that you'll want to hear over and over again! The disc can be found at a bargain price and also, kudos on the packaging.

Not a great reissue..........2001-12-26

The original Preflyte album, issued on Gary Usher/Curt Boettcher's short lived TOGETHER label, was one of the first glimpses into the Byrds' vaults; specifically, the World Pacific Studio recordings, done before even the Mr. Tambourine Man album. Those tracks gave a glimpse into what the Byrds were before they were the polished entities that we heard during the Columbia years...an absolutely delightful collection. Yet when Rhino issued their version of the World Pacific Recordings (In the Beginning), they used many alternate takes of the familiar Preflyte recordings, meaning that the original album's tracks would be showing up on bootlegs for years to come.

Poptones' "Preflyte" is, theoretically, supposed to rectify this, issuing the original album with the original takes. However, it fails in many respects. Firstly, it's been post-produced to no end; it's apparently been remixed, which isn't necessarily bad, but there's so much obvious digital reverb layered over the entire thing that the original stuff is rendered almost unrecognizable. At least these are (I'm pretty sure) the original takes, but you wouldn't know it.

Avoid this...Sundazed recently-released 2-CD Preflyte Sessions does the same job, and much better!

Is This Preflyte?.......2001-07-23

I remember my brother buying the Columbia version of this album on 8 track many years ago and all the fun we used to have singing along to it. So naturally I was very excited to see that it was coming out on CD (finally). But is this really "Preflyte"? It sounds a lot like the versions used for the "In The Beginning" CD. I distinctly remember "You Showed Me" and "Mr.Tambourine Man" being a lot slower then the versions on this new CD. Also, the vocals on "You Showed Me" were more of a group sound then just one singer. I personally think these are either the same takes used on "In The Beginning" or different takes all together. Does anyone else notice this?

Average customer rating:

Preflyte
Byrds
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DEPQ8
Release Date: 2002-07-17

Average customer rating:

Preflyte Sessions
Byrds
Manufacturer: Msi Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005J430
Release Date: 2002-07-17

Average customer rating:

Preflyte
The Byrds
Manufacturer: Sundazed Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BRIFRW
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Tracks:

You Showed Me
Here Without You
She Has A Way
The Reason Why
For Me Again
Boston
You Movin'
The Airport Song
You Won't Have To Cry
I Knew I'd Want You
Mr. Tambourine Man

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