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The Byrds Album: “The Essential Byrds”
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The Essential Byrds |
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Release Date:2003-01-01
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Type:Compilation
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Genre:Classic Rock
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Label:Columbia/Legacy
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Explicit Lyrics:No
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UPC:5099751224921
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Review - AMG :
The only reason this two-CD, 35-song collection might be judged as less than a five-star package is the existence of a truly all-killer no-filler single-disc The Byrds' Greatest Hits, which is the best distillation of their classic songs. For those who want more than a single disc, The Essential Byrds is a smartly assembled double dose, including all 14 of the 1965-67 tracks on Greatest Hits, but expanding its reach into their entire Columbia output, going as far as the early 1970s. Inevitably, that means that disc two -- which goes, roughly, from mid-1967 to 1971 -- isn't as good as the first half, and that the last four tracks in particular are by far the least impressive, tagged on mostly so that the release spans the entire Columbia/Byrds catalog. That's a small reservation considering the two-fer adds many first-rate songs not on Greatest Hits, from non-hit singles like "Lady Friend" and "Goin' Back" to standout album cuts like "Renaissance Fair," "Natural Harmony," "Jesus Is Just Alright," and "Chestnut Mare." There are no surprises here; even the songs that eluded inclusion on albums for many years, like the early B-side "She Don't Care About Time" and "Lady Friend," have been commonly available in the CD era. And it's true this misses some other fine album tracks that could have stood with pride alongside those selected, like "I Knew I'd Want You," "John Riley," and "Dolphin's Smile." Within the confines of the two-CD format, though, it's a very well-chosen career overview. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
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