Search - Byrds :: Very Best Of The Byrds (Limited Edition)

The Very Best Of, indeed

Mark Bumgardner | Concord, NC United States | 09/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Because my formative years were really in the 70s and not the 60s, I have never been a huge Byrds fan. Through the years however, I have come to appreciate both the startling quality of their output and their importance and place in rock's history.It's for these reasons that I was so pleased to find a copy of this particular CD. It is by far the best single disc collection of the group's work to date. Comprised of 27(!) tracks, the disc clocks in at just over 75 minutes, and none of it could be considered filler. All of the obvious Byrds tracks you would expect are here (Mr.Tambourine Man; Turn, Turn, Turn; etc.) as well as some excellent album tracks (Hickory Wind, Jesus Is Just Alright). All of the group's various line-ups are represented (I think) with at least one track (not counting the 1990 "box set reunion" group) giving a very nice overview of the group's history. The version I bought is the 1997 re-mastered version, and has wonderful sound. I no longer have need for my "20 Essential Tracks CD", as this one outshines it in almost every possible way - the lone exception being the liner notes which are not quite as complete as those on the "Essential" disc. Still, if you have even a minimal interest in the Byrds or 60s music in general, this disc should be in your music library."