Ballad Of Easy Rider

The Byrds

Columbia, 1969

http://www.thebyrds.com

REVIEW BY: David Bowling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 03/23/2019

An amazing thing happened while recording Ballad Of Easy Rider, and that was that Roger McGuinn did not replace any members of the Byrds. His band mates Clarence White, Gene Parsons, and John York all remained in place. Still, this luck would run out. As soon as the recording sessions were concluded, bassist York was replaced by Skip Battin in September of 1969, just prior to the album’s release in October.

Roger McGuinn also changed producers and asked Terry Melcher to return. He had produced the Byrds' first two albums and went on to produce two more after this one. His style enabled The Byrds to create a mature and commercially successful album.

Ballad Of Easy Rider was a laid-back affair and features the combined talents of the group’s members. All four Byrds wrote a song and their voices combine to keep the group’s signature harmonies in place. Clarence White continued to provide Roger McGuinn with a perfect guitar partner.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The title song was a composition that Bob Dylan started, but turned over to McGuinn before completion. It turned out to be one of the best songs of his career. It was a rare positive and soothing look at the youth culture of the day and remains one of my favorite songs by the Byrds.

The other members also authored some songs. Parsons and White penned “Oil In My Lamp,” which features a rare and gritty White lead vocal. “Gunga Din” by Gene Parsons, who also provides the lead vocal, is a tired and haunting song about touring and it became a concert staple. John York’s “Fido” was not of the caliber of the aforementioned two but can be considered harmless fun. It is notable for a rare and possibly only Byrds drum solo.

Roger McGuinn continued to pick strong cover songs. “Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)” by Woody Guthrie is a conscious raising song about Mexican immigrants and is a highlight. “Tulsa Country” is emblematic of everything that was good about the Byrds as White’s guitar picking and the harmonies shine. The traditional English tune “Jack Tarr The Sailor” looks ahead to his solo career.

“Jesus Is Just Alright” rocks, but the Doobie Brothers would make it one of their signature songs three years later. The Byrds provide an interesting and haunting version of Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” but again I prefer Dylan’s 1965 version. I am less enthused by the old Lovin’ Brothers country tune, “There Must Be Someone (I Can Turn Too),” as it really never takes off and finally there is the throwaway “Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins” to close the album.

Ballad Of Easy Rider remains a smooth listen and there is beauty to be found in many of the songs. It may not be as consistent as some of their past releases, but it did prove that this 1969 incarnation of the Byrds was not only alive and well but extremely talented.

Rating: B+

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