Byrds Turn! Turn! Turn! CD

The Byrds: David Crosby (guitar, vocals); Jim McGuinn (12-string guitar, vocals); Chris Hillman (bass, vocals); Michael Clarke (drums); Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals).
Reissue producer: Bob Irwin.
Recorded between June 28, 1965 and November 1, 1965.
Includes original release notes by Derek Taylor and new liner notes by David Fricke and Johnny Rogan.
All songs have been digitally remastered using a 20-Bit Super Mapping system.
Personnel: Roger McGuinn (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, banjo); Gene Clark (vocals, guitar, tambourine); David Crosby (vocals, guitar); Chris Hillman (vocals, mandolin, bass guitar); Michael Clarke (drums).
Audio Mixer: Vic Anesini.
Liner Note Authors: Johnny Rogan; David Fricke.
Photographer: Bob Irwin.
Unknown Contributor Role: Johnny Rogan.
The Byrds' second album, Turn! Turn! Turn!, was only a disappointment in comparison with Mr. Tambourine Man. They couldn't maintain such a level of consistent magnificence, and the follow-up was not quite as powerful or impressive. It was still quite good, however, particularly the ringing number one title cut, a classic on par with the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single. Elsewhere, they concentrated more on original material, Gene Clark in particular offering some strong compositions with "Set You Free This Time," "The World Turns All Around Her," and "If You're Gone." A couple more Bob Dylan covers were included, as well, and "Satisfied Mind" was their first foray into country-rock, a direction they would explore in much greater depth throughout the rest of the '60s. ~ Richie Unterberger
More of a companion piece than a follow-up to their debut, TURN! TURN! TURN! established The Byrds' place in the puzzle that was American rock & roll in the mid-'60s, but not for reasons commonly attributed to it. On the one hand, this was another batch of songs furthering the California folk-rock boom. "Turn! Turn! Turn!," the band's second (and final) number one single, was Pete Seeger's musical interpretation of proverbs from the Book Of Ecclesiastes; "Oh Susannah" was a 19th century minstrels' tune; "He Was A Friend Of Mine" was a folk standard; and, as was a norm for the early Byrds, there were a couple of Bob Dylan songs.
Yet the application of The Byrds' sound to these long-known songs gave each of them a new, wholly different life. "He Was A Friend Of Mine" included additional Roger McGuinn lyrics that allude to John F. Kennedy's assassination, turning a mournful standard into a personalized declaration. "Oh! Susannah" was updated at a break-neck rock & roll tempo. The title track became a snapshot, evoking the turbulent '60s as much as it did the Bible. In short, this album depicted The Byrds as an early work in progress, already capable of defying the public's perception of their artistry, and stretching further with every note.
The Byrds' second album was only a disappointment in comparison with Mr. Tambourine Man. They couldn't maintain such a level of consistent magnificence, and the follow-up was not quite as powerful or impressive. It was still quite good, however, particularly the ringing number one title cut, a classic on par with the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single. Elsewhere they concentrated more on original material, Gene Clark in particular offering some strong compositions with "Set You Free This Time," "The World Turns All Around Her," and "If You're Gone." A couple more Dylan covers were included as well, and "Satisfied Mind" was their first foray into country-rock, a direction they would explore in much greater depth throughout the rest of the '60s. [The reissue adds seven decent alternate takes and bonus tracks, the most interesting being a version of Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," and an enigmatic Gene Clark song, "The Day Walk (Never Before)."] ~ Richie UnterbergerEntertainment Weekly (6/28-7/5/96, p.106) - "...illustrates why the best Byrds music still inspires musicians....And while time hasn't enhanced the group's forays into psychedelia...there are enough keepers to make you forgive their occasional tendency to fly into walls." - Rating: B
Q (7/96, p.134) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...the group's secret weapon was Gene Clark....His knowing twist on songs of teen heartbreak...have a blissful surge to them....Clark's ballads...are some of the most mature, restrained bits of music to emerge from this adolescent era..."
Melody Maker (5/11/96, p.50) - Recommended - "...[Pete] Seeger's `Turn Turn Turn,' whose fervent serenity sums up the paradox at the core of The Byrds, is the second LP's cornerstone, but again Clark's exquisite ballads grip like filigreed silver handcuffs..."
Musician (8/96, p.90) - "I like the sound better here. The guitar interplay emerges with greater warmth and clarity, without over-thinning the wash..."
Goldmine - Very Good