Disco de The Byrds: “Mr. Tambourine Man [Remaster]”

In 1965 The Byrds released "Mr.Tambourine Man", creating a new jangle guitar sound influenced by the words of Bob Dylan. The Byrds transformed folk to a new electric guitar sound including Roger McGuinn's legendary 12-string Rickenbacker. The Byrds still remain one of America's finest rock bands and 'the proof is in the pudding' as Iggy Pop once said.

From the opening chords of "Mr.Tambourine Man", it is apparent that this album is a classic. Even Bob Dylan after he heard The Byrds' recording of "Mr.Tambourine Man" was surprised and didn't record his own version until later. "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better" was one of the few hits The Byrds had that wasn't written by someone else out of the band. Gene Clark's lyrics "I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone" represents an anti-romantic song that was rarely heard in songwritting in the 60's, it is one of The Byrds strongest singles. "Spanish Harlem Incident"(a Bob Dylan cover) was a good choice as the lyrics show the mystic-folk world of The Byrds. "You Won't Have To Cry" is an early tip off of The Byrds harmonizing vocals. "Here Without You" another great example of Gene Clark's talent at songwritting and singing. "The Bells Of Rhymney" show that Pete Seeger was another strong influence of The Byrds besides Dylan. Pete Seeger adapted the lyrics from a poem by Idris Davis about a coal mining disaster in Wales. The song is very moving and beautifully done, George Harrison said this song inspired his "If I Needed Someone." "All I Really Want To Do" returns as back to another classic Byrds cover of a Dylan song classic. Its a very strong single and always a great listen. "I Knew I'd Want You" was the b-side to the original "Mr.Tambourine Man" single and shows that The Byrds didn't just start with covering Dylan, it was Gene Clark's song. "It's No Use" has a heavier sound then the rest of the album and has hints of Pink Floyd type solos and such. "Don't Doubt Yourself Baby" is one of my favorite songs musically. "Chimes Of Freedom" is the core and best song on "Mr.Tambourine Man." This Bob Dylan song reflects greatly about the times during the 60's. David Crosby was about to leave the group and refused to sing this song but manager Dickson forced him to and the result was amazing. "We'll Meet Again" ends the album on an ironic note. The bonus tracks are: "She Has A Way", "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better(alternative version)", "It's No Use"(alternative version)", "You Won't Have To Cry(alternative version)" and "All I Really Want To Do(single version)."

"Mr.Tambourine Man" besides creating a new sound and setting new limits for rock, is an amazing album and may be The Byrds' best album. One thing is for sure, it's one of the best achievements in American music.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" is one of a handful of nearly perfect debut albums (other notables: Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Velvet Underground, The Doors) where a new group's sound and vision is almost fully developed from the beginning. The classic Byrds' sound of soaring three-part harmonies and ringing electric 12-string guitars is entirely assimilated by the group here in its infancy. It was, and still is, so potent a mix that for a number of years it defined "folk-rock" for all who played it. Few artists escaped its influence, including The Beatles ("Rubber Soul") and Bob Dylan. The sound is still with us in the work of such contemporary artists as Tom Petty and R.E.M. The historic title track, a milestone in rock music history because it effectively fused Dylan and The Beatles, opens the album. It is followed by a Byrds classic, "Feel A Whole A Lot Better" by chief songwriter Gene Clark, which is still gloriously infectious. Why was it never a single? In fact, all of the original material was written by Clark, though occasionally with Jim "Roger" McGuinn, and constitutes the only genuine romantic heart that this group ever had. "Here Without You", "I Knew I'd Want You" and "You Won't Have To Cry" are haunting ballads. The Byrds' reputation for covering and reinventing Dylan songs is at full blossom here. "Chimes of Freedom", "All I Really Want To Do" and "Spanish Harlem Incident" impressed Dylan himself when he saw that people could dance to his music. An early stab at the Pete Seeger catalogue pre-"Turn! Turn! Turn!" is the gorgeously sung "Bells of Rhymney", featuring one of McGuinn's most memorable guitar solos. The remastering by Sony is superlative; a crystalline purity of image makes McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker sound ethereal. The bonus tracks, mainly alternate takes, will be appreciated by Byrds aficionados. This is an important pop/rock album that still sounds incredible. It is a thinking-person's album to which one can also dance! I recommended it without any hestitation.

During the early and mid sixties, albums contained one or two hit songs and a handful of fillers. When the Byrds debut LP Mr. Tambourine Man blasted onto the rock scene on June 21 1965, the formula was changed completely. The Byrds were the first American band to challenge the British Invasion (Which dominated the rock scene for most of 1963 and '64) and suprisingly they changed music greatly. Not only did they change the concept of an album but they also made rock music mature. During the early sixties bands of the British invasion mainly sang songs about girls but when the Byrds showed up they began writing and singing about the times of turmoil.

Fans who bought this album back in 1965 got 12 inches of excellent jangly folk rock music by Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, Roger McGuinn, Jackie DeShannon, Idris Davies, Pete Seeger, H.Parker and R.Charles. The album opens with the timeless Dylan tune MR.TAMBOURINE MAN which topped the singles charts and remains today a huge song of the sixties. After that is I FEEL A WHOLE LOT BETTER which showed Gene Clark's excellent song writing and happens to be a personal fave of mine. Next is another Bob Dylan cover THE SPANISH HARLEM INCIDENT followed by another lovely Gene Clark love ballad YOU WON'T HAVE TO CRY. Next is one of the finest Gene Clark ballads HERE WITHOUT YOU which also demonstrated the Byrds excellent harmony vocals as a unit. After that is THE BELLS OF RHYMNEY an excellent easy going rocker, followed by two Byrds b-side single hits ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO and I KNEW I'D WANT YOU. IT'S NO USE follows after and proves that the Byrds can play a good rocker, then things calm down again with the easy going yet catchy DON'T DOUBT YOURSELF BABE. The original album closes with another classic Dylan tune CHIMES OF FREEDOM followed by the beautiful WE'LL MEET AGAIN.

The bonus material is a real treat but will never be in the same league as the classic album. First is the pretty SHE HAS A WAY. Then a string of alternate versions of I FEEL WHOLE LOT BETTER, IT'S NO USE and YOU WON'T HAVE TO CRY which are good but will never replace the originals. The real single version of ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO is added and a rockin' instrumental by the name of YOU AND ME wraps it all up.

Mr.Tambourine Man became a top ten hit on the Billboard charts, peaking at #6. The album changed rock 'n roll music and became known as a folk-rock masterpiece. I recommend this album to anyone! It's a huge piece of music history and is a timeless piece of art. Get it and show it to everybody, your friends, your family, your kids, your girlfriend anybody because this album is awesome! Highly Recommended!

The Byrds-the greatest American rock band? If not, they are up there with Beach Boys vying for that spot (with Creedence right behind them.) This is perhaps their greatest record-the first six are ALL classics in their own right. "Mr. Tambourine Man" introduced the Byrds to the world-a combination of Bach, Dylan and the Beatles. This CD remaster features an extended ending and much clearer background vocals. Other neat highlights include the instrumental (sounds like a backing track for an abandoned song)"You and Me" which features a great 12 string riff and rock backing. The alternate take of "Its No Use" includes some superb rhythm guitar work by Crosby. Ditto "Feel a Whole Lot Better" - listen to the left channel and concentrate on the rhythm guitar. Another great example of the rhythm work is evident on "Chimes of Freedom". Rock surely misses the electric rhythm guitar these days. The vocal blend is top notch- an innovative style, derived from the folk group style, and of course, the Beatles that in turn influenced tons of 60's rock groups. The record was great in 65 when it came out,likewise this CD. The CD remaster does the Byrds justice-nice booklet, nice bonus tracks-great care was given to these releases. Now Sony needs to give this treatment to the Dylan catalog.

this cd sounds superior in mono. and it's a sacd too! enjoy!