The Capitol Years
The original Byrds gradually reformed in 1977 and 1978, except for Michael Clarke who was committed to Firefall. David Crosby was still committed to Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but showed up for a few performances. Crosby also showed up, uninvited, to record the first album, but, for some reason, was never utilized. The band declined to call themselves the Byrds due to an agreement between Crosby and McGuinn that all five originals had to participate in order to use the name.
This collection presents every studio track recorded by MCH, released on three separate albums (plus four bonus tracks) from 1979 through 1981.
The first album (McGuinn, Clark & Hillman) benefits from some exceptionally strong songwriting and singing, but is compromised by a slick, faceless musical production which sounds like a cross between the Eagles and the Bee Gees. Highlights include Clark's "Backstage Pass" and "Feelin' Higher", McGuinn's "Bye Bye Baby" and "Don't You Write Her Off", and Hillman's "Long Long Time" and "Sad Boy". An enjoyable album which could have been so much better with a sympathetic production.
The second album (City) has a much more personal, enjoyable Byrds-like rock production, but with less consistent song writing. Clark left the group after contributing two songs. Clark's "Won't Let You Down" and McGuinn's "City" would add to any Byrds compilation, while McGuinn's "One More Chance" and Hillman's "Let Me Down Easy" aren't far behind.
The third album, (McGuinn/Hillman, aka Mean Streets) is dominated by relatively un-soulful covers of mediocre pop songs. About the only highlight is "Turn Your Radio On". "Making Movies" is a nice song from an associated single.
The real shame is that these guys were great live, and (at least Gene Clark) had a huge cache of great songs that weren't utilized.
This collection presents every studio track recorded by MCH, released on three separate albums (plus four bonus tracks) from 1979 through 1981.
The first album (McGuinn, Clark & Hillman) benefits from some exceptionally strong songwriting and singing, but is compromised by a slick, faceless musical production which sounds like a cross between the Eagles and the Bee Gees. Highlights include Clark's "Backstage Pass" and "Feelin' Higher", McGuinn's "Bye Bye Baby" and "Don't You Write Her Off", and Hillman's "Long Long Time" and "Sad Boy". An enjoyable album which could have been so much better with a sympathetic production.
The second album (City) has a much more personal, enjoyable Byrds-like rock production, but with less consistent song writing. Clark left the group after contributing two songs. Clark's "Won't Let You Down" and McGuinn's "City" would add to any Byrds compilation, while McGuinn's "One More Chance" and Hillman's "Let Me Down Easy" aren't far behind.
The third album, (McGuinn/Hillman, aka Mean Streets) is dominated by relatively un-soulful covers of mediocre pop songs. About the only highlight is "Turn Your Radio On". "Making Movies" is a nice song from an associated single.
The real shame is that these guys were great live, and (at least Gene Clark) had a huge cache of great songs that weren't utilized.
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