Friday, June 3, 2011

The Byrds – Carnegie Hall 1971


The Byrds – Carnegie Hall 1971

Carnegie Hall, NY – February 17, 1971

Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin, Gene Parsons

Audience recording

1. Lover Of The Bayou (3:43)
2. You Ain't Going Nowhere (2:49)
3. Truck Stop Girl (3:20)
4. My Back Pages - Baby What You Want Me To Do (6:47)
5. Jamaica Say You Will (4:25)
6. Soldier's Joy (1:31)
7. Pretty Boy Floyd (2:38)
8. Mr Tambourine Man (4:22)
9. Take A Whiff (On Me) (2:47)
10. Chestnut Mare (5:32)
11. Jesus Is Just Alright (2:52)
12. Eight Miles High (11:47)
13. Hold It (2:01)
14. I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician (2:15)
15. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star (2:43)
16. Hold It (2:15)
17. Mr Spaceman (6:06)
18. Mary Don't You Weep (3:51)

Artwork Included

Many thanks to David for the original files

8 comments:

Rocking--Byrd said...
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Steve said...

First, thanks to David and R--B for this exciting concert--you feel as if you were there. The band was hot that night, and even experimented a little, and was called back for two encores. The setlist is evenly split between old Byrds and new Byrds, including the never-recorded Mary Don't You Weep. McGuinn does most of the leads, with Clarence taking two songs. I don't much like Clarence as a lead singer, but he shines on Jamaica Say You Will. Eight Miles High is shorter, but the drum/bass duet is one of the best I've heard from Parsons and Battin. The other songs are also well done. Aspecial note on Jesus is Just Alright. This is one of the fastest versions I've heard, and it really rocks. Still, I prefer the Avalon Ballroom and Boston Tea Part versions, which have fine vocals and a moody atmosphere, emphasized by the slower rhythm and the emphasis on vocals and the rhythm section. These versions are as close as the later Byrds got to the original Byrds in terms of style and vocals. In the later versions, after Battin replaced York, the vocal parts are not as strong but the energy level and rhythm are much higher. It's a matter of taste which one is preferable, I guess. I was disappointed with the single version, in which McGuinn's voice dominates the vocal arrangement before the instrumental break and doesn't quite catch the excitement of the live versions. This was a popular song in concert, but barely broke into the Hot 100 as a single. You never know. This concert to me is another proof that if you want good albums, go to the original Byrds; but if you want good concerts, go to the later Byrds. David, I don't know who you are or where you are from, nor you R--B, but I certainly feel grateful that you have made these concerts available to people like me. I am 61 and saw the York-era Byrds in Cincinnati and MCH in San Diego and that's it for Byrds concerts. Thanks to internet and to the efforts of people like you it is possible to hear performances I would never have imagined being able to listen to in 2011 in a country (Peru) where the Byrds are virtually unknown. I enjoy discussing the merits of these concerts but not many people like to write. Then again, the posts are coming fast and thick, and maybe the downloaders haven't had a chance to absorb these yet. At any rate, be assured that at least one fan appreciates the music and feels a personal obligation to tell you so and why, especially since you rose from the cyber-dead to provide the old faithful with a few more gems.

Doug said...

I missed this show as well when it got posted--any chance of a repost (apparently file no longer exists)?

As always, thanks so very much for all you've been doing for us!

Rocking--Byrd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doug said...

Many, many thanks!

Rocking--Byrd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

It's A Great Rockin' Blog!!

Sorry,Please Re-Upload

Thanx!

intercepter said...

Thanks!!!!