The Byrds – The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968) [MFSL 2006]
PS3 Rip | ISO | SACD DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 58:06 minutes | Scans included | 2,41 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 926 MB
Original Mono Mixes plus Stereo bonus tracks | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab # UDSACD 2015

The recording sessions for the Byrds’ fifth album, The Notorious Byrd Brothers, were conducted in the midst of internal turmoil that found them reduced to a duo by the time the record was completed. That wasn’t evident from listening to the results, which showed the group continuing to expand the parameters of their eclecticism while retaining their hallmark guitar jangle and harmonies. With assistance from producer Gary Usher, they took more chances in the studio, enhancing the spacy quality of tracks like “Natural Harmony” and Goffin & King’s “Wasn’t Born to Follow” with electronic phasing. Washes of Moog synthesizer formed the eerie backdrop for “Space Odyssey,” and the songs were craftily and unobtrusively linked with segues and fades. But the Byrds did not bury the essential strengths of their tunes in effects: “Goin’ Back” (also written by Goffin & King) was a magnificent and melodic cover with the expected tasteful 12-string guitar runs that should have been a big hit. “Tribal Gathering” has some of the band’s most effervescent harmonies; “Draft Morning” is a subtle and effective reflection of the horrors of the Vietnam War; and “Old John Robertson” looks forward to the country-rock that would soon dominate their repertoire.

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The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man (1965) [MFSL 2005]
PS3 Rip | ISO | SACD DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 44:06 minutes | Scans included | 1,81 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 695 MB
Original Mono Mixes plus Stereo bonus tracks | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab # UDSACD 2014

One of the greatest debuts in the history of rock, Mr. Tambourine Man was nothing less than a significant step in the evolution of rock & roll itself, demonstrating that intelligent lyrical content could be wedded to compelling electric guitar riffs and a solid backbeat. It was also the album that was most responsible for establishing folk-rock as a popular phenomenon, its most alluring traits being Roger McGuinn’s immediately distinctive 12-string Rickenbacker jangle and the band’s beautiful harmonies. The material was uniformly strong, whether they were interpreting Bob Dylan (on the title cut and three other songs, including the hit single “All I Really Want to Do”), Pete Seeger (“The Bells of Rhymney”), or Jackie DeShannon (“Don’t Doubt Yourself, Babe”). The originals were lyrically less challenging, but equally powerful musically, especially Gene Clark’s “I Knew I’d Want You,” “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better,” and “Here Without You”; “It’s No Use” showed a tougher, harder-rocking side and a guitar solo with hints of psychedelia.

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The Byrds – The Byrds’ Greatest Hits (1967) [Reissue 1999]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 43:03 minutes | Scans included | 1,61 GB
or FLAC (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Full Scans included | 912 MB

Without question, the Byrds were one of the great bands of the ’60s and one of the few American bands of their time to continually turn out inventive, compelling albums. As they were recording a series of fine records, they turned out a number of classic singles that unquestionably defined their era. The Byrds’ Greatest Hits does an excellent job of chronicling the peak years of their popularity before they went country-rock on 1968’s Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Apart from the minor hits “It Won’t Be Wrong,” “Set You Free This Time,” and “Have You Seen Her Face,” all of the group’s hit singles – from 1965’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” to 1967’s “My Back Pages” – are included: “All I Really Want to Do,” “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” “Eight Miles High,” “5D (Fifth Dimension),” “Mr. Spaceman,” and “So You Want to Be a Rock N’ Roll Star.” Yes, some great songs were left behind on the albums, but important cuts like “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better,” “The Bells of Rhymney,” and “Chimes of Freedom” are added, making this pretty close to a definitive single-disc summary of the Byrds’ prime.

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