Clarence White

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 14 Jun 2010 3:45 pm

ok. now ya got me getting my Easy Rider vinyl out. it wasn't one of my favorites, but i haven't heard it for awhile.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 14 Jun 2010 5:24 pm

Will,

Good move. You will not be dissapointed; I hope.

It's some of the best 'country' music that these
unbelievably creative and knowledgeable and respectful musicians ever came up with; and not just "Easy Rider" - but all their stuff.

The Byrds were not just a bunch of jack-off a-holes like so many today. All their music had forethought, skill, compostion, arrangement, and integrity.

They knew which end was up.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 14 Jun 2010 5:42 pm

The Ballad Of Easy Rider album had several of my favorite tracks of Clarence, but it a had a few I could do without. I remember back when I was wearing out the grooves on it I'd skip over Fido, Jack Tar the Sailor.
It's All Over Now Baby Blue has some flat out beautiful guitar with Clarence playing thru a Leslie set at the slow speed. Gene Parsons singing There Must Be Someone written by the Gosdin Brothers. Jesus Is Just Alright With Me I always thought kicked way better than the Dobbie's version from a couple of years later. Of course they got a hit out of it.
here's one if you can stand the video from the movie along with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkIhuiDBYRA
Here's Clarence on acoustic and B Bender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9A5gCDNO-M

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 14 Jun 2010 6:05 pm

Ya Dave I just listened to it and I agree about those tracks.It had been so long since I listened to this album I barely remembered the non-famous cuts. Sure wasn't much time on this album.
Thanks for the youtube clips.
Will

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 14 Jun 2010 6:39 pm

Dave,

I agree also. Fido & Jack Tar were tedious.

The Doobies sure did get a big hit out of it. I think they came along when the Byrds started having many of their "problems".

Correct me here, but that "acid" scene in the movie "Easy Rider", you know New Orleans - I don't think "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" was in the movie. It wasn't on the album, was it?

OK - I just realized what you said.

Here is the song and a movie. The two are not connected. Love it or Lump it.

I got it now.

WWWHHHHEEEWWW?????

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 14 Jun 2010 6:44 pm

It's All Over Now Baby Blue was on The Ballad Of Easy Rider album. Pretty sure it was not in the movie.
Forgot to mention that some of my favorite Clarence stuff on Baby Blue is in the fade out. Crank the volume in the fade for the cool licks.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 14 Jun 2010 7:08 pm

Gonna do it right now.

It's 11:00 PM(EST) now and I gotta keep the noise down.

So yes Dave, I got the headphones on and I'm gettin' ready to give a'listen - thanks for that tip.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 14 Jun 2010 7:31 pm

"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" is another one of those Byrd-Dylan attempts.

I think it failed.

"Lay Lady Lay", another Byrd-Dylan attempt, basically, sucked, too.

Both had no drive or believeability.

Not like the Byrd's interpretations of previous Dylan songs. They figured at this time they could throw out any Dylan tune and their fans would grab onto it. Not so. This was a low point for them. No effort into these tunes.

I don't hear much of anything at the end of IAON, baby blue.

Not much to get shook-up about. His earlier stuff was much more.

Just my opinion - maybe I didn't hear it right. It was just muddled and repetitive.

We are cool cats here. So, no problem.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 14 Jun 2010 9:03 pm

Back to the "dog songs:" I liked "Bugler" from Farther Along. Written by Larry Murray, Clarence sang the lead - nice hook, good lyrics.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 14 Jun 2010 10:20 pm

Here is the classic COUNTRY/ROCK anthem; or rather ROCK/COUNTRY anthem, all with tempo changes... and it's just GREAT!!
Clarence, again, setting the mood.

"King Apathy III"

http://picosong.com/RCb

Grant Johnson · Post by **Grant Johnson** » 15 Jun 2010 5:49 am

Regarding "The Time Between". This track supposedly gave Clarence the idea of an "A pedal" on the B string. According to Gene Parsons, Gene was manually bending the B string by depressing it behind the nut and had worked out the bends and timing with Clarence for the track, a third hand. Hence so many of those licks sound like a bender. Soon after, Gene developed the bander for Clarence.

I was fortunate enough to open for Marty Stuart a couple years back at the Ryman, and Marty let me play "Clarence" for several minutes after the show. As CW is my favorite guitarist of all time, it was a moment I'll never forget!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 15 Jun 2010 9:33 am

I heard the metronome on My Back Pages, Chip!
Some Byrds' singles covers to look at, are here:
http://www.7inchrecords.com/Discography ... e=3&groep=
http://willybrauch.de/discographies/byr ... ingles.htm

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 15 Jun 2010 2:09 pm

Chip,
The name of my "Folk Rock" band, back in the late 60's and early 70's was "KING APATHY".
I played a Rick 360 Stereo and switched to my 66' Tele for the "country" sound, that, I thought Clarence was playing. We played a whole lot back then, until, the dreaded bubblegum and disco sound bands emerged.

Butch Foster · Post by **Butch Foster** » 15 Jun 2010 3:45 pm

Will, I did the exact same thing, pulling out the LP! Chip, Dave, thanks for the song comments. What recording is " Old Blue" on?

Thanks.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 15 Jun 2010 3:47 pm

I think it's on Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde.

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 15 Jun 2010 4:19 pm

you got it Mark.
Dr. Bryd and Mr. Hyde some good stuff there.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 16 Jun 2010 3:29 am

More great feedback everyone.

Yeah...

"Dr Byrds & Mr Hyde" was probably THE album that showcased Clarence. Great and well crafted tunes throughout.
Sadly, yet again, it didn't sell well for the Byrds. You either were on board with this album, or you felt the Byrds were "losing it". The album probably picked up new listeners, but lost older ones, too.

I always found something great in everything the Byrds did.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 16 Jun 2010 3:40 am

Joachim,

Thanks for those discographies. I didn't realize how many countries they made it to. I liked that Japanese one.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 17 Jun 2010 9:57 am

Grant Johnson wrote:Regarding "The Time Between". This track supposedly gave Clarence the idea of an "A pedal" on the B string. According to Gene Parsons, Gene was manually bending the B string by depressing it behind the nut and had worked out the bends and timing with Clarence for the track, a third hand. Hence so many of those licks sound like a bender. Soon after, Gene developed the bander for Clarence.

i've heard this story, but i don't think it was in reference to "Time Between"... those bends were all done by Clarence in open position.

"Time Between" was recorded in late '66, some 2 years before the B-bender and Parsons didn't play on the session.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 18 Jun 2010 9:58 am

I agree, Scott. The "third hand" session that led to the Bender was something where Clarence wanted to get those bends not in open position.

(Tangential side note: Another "third hand" story I've heard involved John Lennon turning the volume knob on George's guitar to get the volume swell effect on the Beatles' "I Need You".)

Mike Terry · Post by **Mike Terry** » 2 Jul 2010 9:46 am

I used to turn the balance on my stereo all the way over to one side & listen to " 100 Years " on the Sweetheart album just to hear Clarence play the backup licks. That tore me up every time.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 3 Jul 2010 11:38 am

Here's more on Clarence and the StringBender.

http://www.martystuart.com/ZArt-VintageGuitar4-04-2.htm

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 5 Jul 2010 10:59 am

Hi Chip. Thanks for this thread. It has been a wonderful trip down memory land with the Byrds. The clips that you, and others, have provided brought many smiles, warm fuzzy feelings and rememberances of happier, simpler times in my life.
Duncan

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 5 Jul 2010 2:57 pm

And thank you, Duncan.

On your part, well put, friend.

The Byrds - either you got them, or you didn't.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 5 Jul 2010 4:03 pm

"Nashville West"

http://picosong.com/RU6