The Steel Guitar Forum

Thank you guys for all the informations about Gene Clark & The Byrds. Loved them when I was 16, still love them 30 yrs. later:) Some Misunderstanding from Gene's No Other album is beyond words, at least for me. The Soulsavers with Mark Lanegan on vocals did a decent cover version of it...
Once again, thank you !
Stefan

Slightly off time signatures and awesome lyrics, that's Gene Clark, especially after the Byrds.
Gene is by far the strongest on the '73 Byrds reunion album, most of the others were saving songs for other projects, or were just dialing it in.

Don't even get me started on Crosby and his lyrics.. from Triad onwards it was a slippery downhill slope to mawkish symbolism and rich-fat-hippie idealism.

Sorry Cros.. I much prefer Hillman's early songs to any of Crosby's Byrds material, and to be honest, the first four albums were sensational, but Clark really shines for me personally.

I admit, as well, I was no fan of David Crosby's songwriting. He had a great set of pipes, though, but they seemed to shine best when he was harmonizing with anyone.

As history will show, it was his vocals with the beginning of the Byrds, that distinguished the Byrds as a unique vocal group [among other musical aspects]. All later incarnations of the Byrds, after Crosby left, just didn't have that SOUND. It was still good; just didn't quite have that SOUND. MHO

I agree with Chip,
Crosby's harmony singing was very important and the Byrds' vocals were not the same without him. He lend background vocals to the FBB's "Do Right Woman" which made it so much better. I was also crazy for the single "Lady Friend" by the Byrds, with him on lead vocals. Maybe Chip could post an MP3?

"Lady Friend" http://picosong.com/k2V

"Do Right Woman" http://picosong.com/k2b

Wow! Thank you Chip!

You're welcome, Joachim. Anytime.

Hey Chip, this one ain't gonna die. You keep coming up w/Byrd songs I haven't heard, Lady Freind.
I've been listening to GPS for 41 years and never knew that was Crosby singing background on Do Right Woman but when I just listened, thats him alright.
Thanks Joachim and Chip.

Thanks Will, and Joachim...

Here are 3 more early classics where Mr. Crosby shines-on [one is obvious]. This is old recording, don't forget.

He towers over everyone. Love it. Just love it.

He rockets. He soars.

"Fifth Dimension" is just super Byrds. The soaring vocals and organ at the end of the song is just not long enough for me. It could have gone on for another 2 or 3 weeks, as far as I'm concerned.

"5-D" http://picosong.com/kV4

"Wild Mountain Thyme" http://picosong.com/qg8

"Eight Miles High" http://picosong.com/kVJ

Ah, Crosby's voice. I was fortunate to see one of his solo performances at the Austin Opry House, in the mid 1980's. I believe it was just a day or so before he was busted for possession of a gun, backstage, at a concert in Dallas. This was during the time when he was one of the world's foremost users/authorities of 'crack' cocaine. Nonetheless, his voice was amazing.

A couple of YouTubes from Croz's recent collaboration, CPR (Crosby-Pevar-Raymond). The 'voice' is still there along with interesting writing - some provided by David's son, James Raymond, who also plays keyboards, lead and harmony vocals, and is an accomplished composer-musician. (Sorry 'bout my run-on sentence. I got no grammar skills ). Jeff Pevar is on harmony vocals and guitar. I gotta add, Jeff is way, way up on the list of my favorite rock guitarists.

"Little Blind Fish"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGeu5f0QuZ0

and if you have the time to indulge a 10 minute version of "Deja Vu" (I think it gives the original a run for it's money):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2rgq8TXbQ

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Steve Aalmas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oG-h6M-3PI
Warren Zevon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdXoucBr ... re=related
Me and two friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt5wBIG-A40

Ya Joachim, I think about Chip everytime I log in here. Wonder how he is doing, haven't heard anything for a long time. Miss his posts.

Will, I sent Norm Michaels, who wrote about Chip's stroke in Extended Family, a p.m. about six weeks ago, but he didn't answer. We can only hope...