Da Boids Is Da Woid Part The This One - Again
Ballad Of Easy Rider did much better than Dr. Byrds - almost anything did - piggy-backing the astonishing success of the movie. Luckily the album was a consistently good effort, although suffering from a dearth of site-specific compositions. Jim-Roger turned in his regulation song, being preoccupied with his *cough* country-rock adaptation of Peer Gynt. Right. Mm.
Thirty tracks in this "complete" edition, including five versions of the title song, from the one minute and thirty-nine second (!!) single version to Terry Melcher's extended disco twelve-inch mix, stretched to an epic 2:30. It just occurred to me that Gunga Din could be a pun on can't get in? The song's about - more or less - not being allowed into a swank resty-rant on account of wearin' a leather jacket. John York quit after this, but I don't think anyone actually grabbed for his ankles on his way out.
And - completely free of charge - this swell alternate cover what I done did, using Jim-Roger's original title. It's a tough brief - there are
two strong brands at work here (the original cover sidesteps the issue
entirely, which is why it's so anonymous). Using images of either the band or the movie actors is unrepresentative, so that iconic bike gets the spotlight, but doesn't diminish the force of the original and magnificent Byrds logo. I know they'd consciously distanced themselves from it by that point, and I don't care.
So, I'm coronavirus free, but managed to break my foot. Might have happened when I was hav ving to awkwardly hold my laptop screen to see through the scratches, and went walking to the kitchen simultaneously.
ReplyDeleteGive a hobblin' man a break, Farq and dispense with them links!
I second this request
ReplyDeleteI've always liked this LP, even though it has the lamest cover of any Byrds album. Seriously, who was in charge of this?? It looks like the unofficial coda to the film..."hey, get a picture of me posing the bike of that hippie I just killed!"
ReplyDeleteAlso: Anyone else hear the rumor that the main characters in the movie were based (visually at least) on David Crosby and Roger McGuinn? I'm pretty sure Jack Nicholson was just based on Jack Nicholson, though.
More also: I feel bad about shitting on Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, so I thought I'd present a gift as a mea culpa. It's all three issues of the legendary Army Man zine. Read about it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Man_(magazine)
https://www116.zippyshare.com/v/OL2P6xBB/file.html
Now make with the link, fink!
You have bestowed swellness upon th' House O' Foam©, sir. I thank you.
DeleteIf memory serves well, that's Gene Parsons' dad (or granddad?) on the cover.
ReplyDeleteWyatt and Captain America were definitely modeled after Crosby and McGuinn.
I agree it's a very fine album, one of my favorites, but also one which could have been so much better, had McGuinn a bit less occupied with Gene Tryp (which at least brought some great songs to Untitled) and had they made some better choices. The "Oil in My Lamp" outtake on the 2000 disc is so much better than the album version and "Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood" should've been included.
York's vocal on Tulsa County was better, and Way Behind the Sun should have been included. Could have been the "New Byrds" best album with a little more thought and effort. Horrid artwork as well.
DeleteStealth link!
ReplyDeleteThanks Farquhar and all the house of foam, including the Backroom Bunker Boys, for this completely incomparable post. Army Man was quite interesting too.
ReplyDeletePop Rivet stock is still out performing all other stocks and have gained so much in value, I'm getting rich too.
DeleteArmy Man is a real find.
DeleteSo, in 1968 when they were starting to film that portion of Easy Rider in New Orleans, my maternal grandparents owned a bar/restaurant in NO (neighborhood place, right outside of the French Quarter, on a major thoroughfare). My GF was insane even by NO standards (was arrested by the feds for operating illegal gambling in the bar, used to go fishing from the curb after a heavy rain left water in the street, once brought a live chieken on a leash to a state house of rep meeting when he held office). GF was approached by staff people of Easy Rider to film inside the bar and he okayed it. Then he saw what the actors looked like, and proceeded to tear up the agreement he had signed, called the local police station (he had a ton of friends in the local police district, located 2 blocks from the bar) and had them called out to threaten to arrest people for trespassing. So, there went our claim to fame!
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Mr. Mac.
DeleteMore tales from the bar. My GF insisted that his sons all go to the local all boys Catholic high school, and he likewise insisted I, the first born grandson, do the same. He died before any other male grandkids were born, but his will provided for funding for that contingency, incl paying for senior rings, senior prom tux, etc (all of which he paid for me, too). The high school in question was run by an order of religious brothers (same that run U of Notre Dame). These local brothers were notorious booze hounds, and were often at the bar and would be afforded the luxury of a tab. Subsequently found out that they often lacked the cash to retire the tab, but would instead barter with athltic gear from the school (school was, at that time, highly thought of locally).
DeleteOne day, during my sophomore year, I get ready for football practice, but my damn helmet is missing from my locker. Look all over for it, can't find it, arrive to the practice field without it, and proceed to run laps for the next 2 hours as punishment.
Go home afterwards, and my mother informs me that my GF has left an urgent message that I go straight to the bar when I got home (we lived a couple of blocks away). Get there, and my GF smiles, starts to laugh, and puts my fucking helmet on top of the bar. Tells me the brothers left it there, and if any of my teammates were missing any gear, to tell them to go see him.
*pmac stares blankly around empty room*
DeleteStealth link! sure i test every on this page and i can't find it.probally i've allready got it by the years since 1969 but find the link is a a game that actualy loose.
ReplyDelete! Comment March 24 5:42 AM !
DeleteThanks Farquhar i finaly understand your answer but by this time of disease and three of my childs are covid positif my mind work less than usual
ReplyDeleteHang in there Franck - we're all alone together.
DeleteAny chance of a re-up?
ReplyDeletePlease
Pretty please....
Cheers
Stephen