A Byrds album that flew under the radar
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Back From Rio evokes the commercial pop rock of the Byrd's 1967 album Younger Than Yesterday and McGuinn's twelve-string shimmers throughout like sunlight on the ocean. The background vocals, when not multitracked by McGuinn himself, are supplied by former Byrds (David Crosby and Chris Hillman) or later admirers who would like to have been Byrds (Tom Petty, Michael Penn, Timothy B. Schmit). Instead of the usual Bob Dylan cover, McGuinn sings a song by Elvis Costello ("You Bowed Down") which combines put-down lines worthy of Dylan with a chorus that's buoyant enough for the Beatles.. And on "King of the Hill," McGuinn and Petty trade lead vocals in a manner that leaves you wondering who is imitating whom. McGuinn, whose lyrics have at times been spotty, has always spoken eloquently through the sound of his music. His lead singing is particularly well served by the sort of rich vocal arrangements that reach a folk-rock peak on "Suddenly Blue." The Jules Shear song "If We Never Meet Again" is equally fine, with McGuinn's church-bell guitar framing the verses and vocal harmonies icing the chorus.This is definitely a latter-day approximation of a Byrds album. Is there anything wrong with that?
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Comments (10)
I have this CD and you're right- ain't nothin wrong with him sounding Byrdsy.
I have this CD and you're right- ain't nothin wrong with him sounding Byrdsy.
I have this too -- it actually was reviewed fairly well and got some good press at the time of release as a McGuinn "comeback" and payback from Petty who owes a huge debt to McGuinn for his success. King of the Hill was a minor hit in my area. I guess there is only room for one jangle rocker at a time on commercial radio. I'm going to look for this and listen to it this AM.
Well, I had never heard this before, and I like boht the Byrds and Tom Petty (although I've never been a fanatic or anything).
I like it a lot---thanks for posting this!
score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These tracks are winners. Life has unfairly sheltered me from McGuinn's solo work, except a terrible LP I tried out long ago. I realize I've missed out on his good stuff, that he didn't lose it.
glad you liked Spike! You didn't "miss" out - you were just waiting for that moment of discovery - one of those bright spots in a life that sometimes seems to have all to few.
I'm used to suffering.
Well, I hope somehow, we can ease your burden :-)