The Byrds :: Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

Sweetheart Of The RodeoI’ve danced around posting on this watershed album for two-plus years now — all the while featuring a variety of its players (Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, etc.) solo work, as well as their work on various other projects (Manassas, Burrito Brothers). This is due, in part, to the significance the album has played, both in the creation of the genre of country rock (and later, alt.country), and that of its role in my own musical appreciation of Country music.

Formed from the still smoldering ashes of the original Byrds lineup (the most recent departure being the exit of David Crosby), the story (now closely teetering on legend) goes that while standing in line at a bank in Beverly Hills, Chris Hillman met Gram Parsons and invited him to try out with the band on keys. This proved fortuitous as Hillman and Parsons later went on the form the Flying Burrito Brothers.

As it turned out, The Byrds new “keyboard man” turned out to completely change the sound of the band and shape the direction of their album, what would become known as Sweetheart of The Rodeo. Allegedly confusing fans, and befuddling critics, the LP was a reverent take on Country & Western music unlike anything The Byrds, nor other contemporary pop and rock artists had attempted at the time.

As history has unfolded, Sweetheart’s legacy and influence has proved undeniable. A quick list of artists directly influenced by the album includes: Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, The Silos, Jayhawks, Eagles, Poco, etc, etc.

The album has since be reissued several times, each with cleaner sound and various add-ons. Most recently, Byrds/Parsons fans saw the 2003 release of the double disc Legacy version, of the LP, which included the restoration of Gram Parsons vocal tracks, and a number of alternate versions and outtakes. The set also contained tracks from Parsons previous country-rock band, The International Submarine Band.

Related: Emmylou Harris :: Reflecting – 2007 Q+A

Download:
MP3: The Byrds :: The Christian Life (Gram Parsons vocal mix)
MP3: The International Submarine Band :: Luxury Liner

MP3: Whiskeytown :: Luxury Liner (unreleased studio cover)
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Amazon: The Byrds – Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

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david_crosby-perro.jpg

Repost: Back by popular demand (again) — Crosby’s 1970 outtakes (aka, the Perro tapes)

One of my favorite LP’s from the early ’70s is David Crosby’s criminally underrated masterpiece “If I Could Only Remember My Name?”

A fully realized embodiment of the “sound” of California’s folk/rock/country/psychedelia movement of the time, the album features such players as Neil Young, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Phil Lesh, etc., etc. Almost as good as the album (and just, if not more interesting) are these outtakes from the 1970 sessions. These tracks are further proof that Crosby was an artistic force to be reckoned with at his creative peak.

Download:
MP3: David Crosby :: Wall Song #2
MP3: David Crosby :: Mountain Song #4
MP3: David Crosby :: Wooden Ships Jam
MP3: David Crosby :: Walking In The Mountains
MP3: David Crosby :: Epp Hour (AKA, Rounds)
MP3: David Crosby :: Under Anesthesia (False Start)
MP3: David Crosby :: Under Anesthesia
MP3: David Crosby :: Over Jordan (Wayfaring Strangers)
MP3: David Crosby :: Mountain Song #3
MP3: David Crosby :: Mountain Song #2
MP3: David Crosby :: Loser #1, #2
MP3: David Crosby :: Wall Song #1
MP3: David Crosby :: Wild Turkey (Leather Winged Bat)
MP3: David Crosby :: Tamalpais High (At About 3)
MP3: David Crosby :: Is It Really Monday?
MP3: David Crosby :: Loser #3, #4
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Amazon: David Crosby – If I Could Only Remember My Name

Related Post: David Crosby :: If I Could Only Remember My Name

Also of Note: If you are interested in this snapshot in time, the late ’60s and early ’70s Southern California folk-rock scene, keep reading. A book that has recently grabbed my attention is Laurel Canyon: : The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll’s Legendary Neighborhood. Chronicaling the state of one of L.A.’s most interesting and famously “arty” neighborhoods, the book excels delving into country-rock and the surrounding scene that developed around it.

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+ Visit The Hype Machine for additional Byrds MP3s.

9 thoughts on “The Byrds :: Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

  1. That’s a great tribute to a seminal album. I was writing about Wilco’s debut, the first alt-country I ever heard and just to think that without Sweetheart, we maybe wouldn’t have an A.M. Well done.

  2. one of my favorite david crosby stories takes place while being interviewed after being arrested. a reporter asked him “why did you have a gun” to which he incredulously replied “john lennon, man.”

    or, the episode of the simpsons where barney said to him “david crosby! i’m a huge fan!” david crosby said “oh, you’re a fan of my music?” and barney responded with “you’re a musician?”

  3. Sweetheart is an essential album. The whole country genre didn’t click with me until I heard “You Don’t Miss Your Water” performed to heart-breaking perfection, and felt overwhelmed by the emotion The Byrds invested in this album.

  4. What amazes me most about “Sweetheart” is how utterly contemporary it sounds today. I throw it on for folks and they are often surprised at how long ago it was recorded.

  5. This Crosby sessions are my favorite Drunkard posting of all time. I’ve been listening Non-stop since you posted them the first go around. Thanks!!

  6. any one who is a fan of this should check out Gene Clarks album with Doug Dillard, a phenomenal banjo player who is known in his own right, called the fantastic expedition of Dillard and Clark. Some of the best songwriting and alt country poineersing that everyone is searching for.

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