The Byrds: The Preflyte Sessions

just like the sun sessions for Elvis Presley, Beatles live at the BBC, the 101ers and very early clash, this incredible double album really documents the beginning of a plethora of later musical directions, bot only for the byrds, but rock n roll music in general. some songs were kept, others discarded, but even for the discarded songs, you get a true taste of the genius of mcguinns soaring 12 string, Crosby's driving rhythm guitar and high harmonies, the rhythm section of Michael Clarke and Chris hillman that would later produce such propulsive performances as 8 miles high, turn turn turn, tambourine man, etc, and most notably the songwriting of gene Clark, whom in my opinion is as good as Lennon McCartney at points. songs they did not later use include you showed me, which would grace any of their albums, tomorrow is a long ways away, which is an absolute gem, the reason why which has lyrics and a performance that any band would easily have as their absolute best song, but a mere throwaway for the byrds trying to find their sound. this album not only shows how folkies discovered rock n roll a la the beatles, it also documents the birth of power pop (come on, most of these songs are perfect power pop records in their own right) and pry the only thing save for the beach boys and few select other artists america could legitimately provide to hold its own in the face of the beatles and the british invasion.

The title says it all,JC

This is a compilation of early Byrds demos, some of which were released on their Preflye LP, and some of which are new. It is a good demo of a band in the process of fine-tuning its sound.

Thanks, love them as much as any American band. Discs are in great shape and even the promo postcards were included. EAS

The other reviews sum up this set pretty well: it is historically important; musically it has some nice songs that were never revisited in the Columbia era, and many hightlights and insights into the development of songs we do know. But as a complete package it is indeed for hardcore Byrds collectors. There were a couple of additional things I wanted to point out however.Number one, I want to say that this set does NOT contain everything that was on Rhino's IN THE BEGINNING; all the SONGS that were on the Rhino CD, yes; however, there are still a couple of different takes on the Rhino CD that are not included on the Sundazed CDs.Number two, I want to point out the last track on CD 1, THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN' (Instrumental). One listen to it, and it's obvious this track is not from the World Pacific demo sessions. The playing is much more of the quality of their Columbia sessions. This recording is actually a pre-recorded backing track for a Byrds appearance on Hullabaloo in November of 1965. The backing track was played back, and the Byrds faked playing, but sang the vocals live.

For those of us who believe the Byrds in their heyday were and remain the greatest American rock band, this collection is an essential look into how they got there. Four young men find their "voices" as singers, songwriters and harmonists in a 40-track collection that includes little of the "demo-itis" that usually plagues collections of this sort. The band hadn't yet hit their TAMBOURINE MAN through YOUNGER THAN YESTERDAY stride, of course, but the music contained in this collection is better than much of what was being "officially" released in the U.S. at the time. The sound of the Byrds can be heard today in everyone from 16 Horsepower to REM, and anyone interested in the evolution of great American rock music should check this out.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I have always made it a priority to hear any material by the great 60's Los Angeles and San Francisco bands.My mission has never stopped with the normal releases. When I can get a key to a vault and hear a band before they would take off it is fascinating to compare what was to what would be.Preflyte Sessions aren't throw away tracks. With the vocal ability of the band even in the early stages it is not hard to see why they could take the next giant step.If you have most of the fine Byrds albums in the collection don't compare this to what you own. Let it stand on its own.Even those that have heard some of these tunes on unreleased recordings will like the sound quality and how the tracks are put together for Preflyte.The Byrds should have been more appreciated for being able to handle the personal changes and take on new musical styles and win.You often here they were a great American band, they were but....They were a great band period and the msuic has held up very well. When you have a bit of time go back to yesterday and sing along, nobody is in the room but you and the band.Be well always,Craig FentonAuthor of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

While this is an important record to have, I personally listen to the Rhino version more. I'm happy to have the demos & alternate version for study, but for everyday listening the Rhino version flows better as a cohesive album. Of course the Together as well as the official Columbia version are also better as a cohesive album than the Sundazed but those 2 as well as the Rhino versions are long out of print so if you want to hear this on vinyl this is your only choice & it truthfully does have better sound quality than the previous albums. All in all this is highly recommended.

Während die Beatles bei ihren Bemühungen um einen Plattenvertrag überwiegend auf fremdes Material zurück grifen, hatten die Byrds schon zu Beginn, hochwertiges eigenes Material, dass hier in weniger hochwertigen bis zu vier unterschiedlichen Versionen dargeboten wird- preflyte Sessions, von denen manches nie in Venyl gekratzt und trotzdem zum Hit wurde, wie 'You showed me' von Atomic Kitten. Wer die Byrds mag, hat hier Gelegenheit, sie so zu hören, wie eine Band, die noch entdeckt werden wird, dazu mit einem aufschlussreichen Booklet, in dem wir erfahren, dass die Byrds die erste Band mit eigenen GoGo Tänzern war (und was aus ihnen wurde) oder wie McGuinn auf die Anmerkung hin, er könne eine zwölfsaitige Elektrische nicht so spielen wie eine Akkustische binnen einer Woche lernte, seine Rickenbacker zu meistern. Hochwertiger Musikgeschichten Unterricht!

important but not superlative listening. the origins of a unique sound, minute by minute...