The Byrds Albums Ranked

[@gurusoft1]

Notorious is the Byrds Sergeant Pepper. A masterpiece.

[@paulg2733]

Couldn't agree more, outstanding album

[@bodietitan557]

Sorry to be so off topic but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost the login password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

[@fletchermarcos2413]

@Bodie Titan instablaster =)

[@sumtin05698]

their best album in my opinion, every single song makes you think and songs like Change is Now will make you start bobbing your head without even noticing it.

[@davidobissonette8848]

well put!!!!!

[@juliatutor8099]

The word you were looking for to describe "America's National Pastime " is Ragtime ...Kudos for this .....I love The Byrds as well.....Peace and Love....

[@avlisk]

I'll always remember The Ballad of Easy Rider record for assuring that I would remember who the 3rd astronaut on Apollo 11 was. I can't separate this album from that event. It's my favorite Byrds album, and I was a fan from Tambourine Man onward.

[@northernlight4614]

My favorite bands are the Byrds, Kinks, and Beatles as well.

[@maheiherp]

i think for chris hillman was younger than yesterday a breakthrough as songwriter - time between, the girl with no name, thoughts and words, have you seen here face - great, great songs...

[@bacarandii]

"Chestnut Mare" was responsible for my first "psychedelic experience" when I was 11 or 12. I knew the song from AM Top 40 radio, and late one winter afternoon I fell asleep in my room with the radio on. I awoke listening to a trippy interlude in the middle of the song that had never been there before and I thought I was losing my mind. I had no idea that songs could be edited and re-arranged, or that there was such a thing as a "single" that was different from an "album cut." I will always associate that song with that experience.

[@billrousseau]

Being my #1 favorite band, I really appreciate hearing your perspective as someone who was experiencing their albums as they came out. My order is a tad different, but almost in alignment. I rank Turn, Turn, Turn and Mr. Tambourine Man 1 & 2, but it’s all subjective. I started with the Greatest Hits “Nice Price” cassette as a young fella in the 90s. I would sit in my car and sometimes listen to Tambourine Man, rewinding it and listening to it dozens of times in a row. Then with the expanded re-issues that arrived around the same time, which I got free promo copies of thankfully as I was broke, I was hooked. The dense liner notes by David Fricke and the previously unreleased tracks, alternate takes and misc audio ephemera (advertisements, banter, arguments etc) made me go in super deep and my love continues to grow. Thanks for putting this together.

[@MrRhmccabe]

Eight Miles High.....the greatest single ever released............the Byrds influence in Pop-Rock and Country continues to this day...the greatest band there ever was.

[@richardjones186]

Definitely the best drumming ever recorded.

[@ronburger8136]

Thanks for the videos Mazzy! Lots of great stuff. I’m 70 this year and grew up in the 60s. My first concert was the Beatles in Sept ‘64 when I was 13. An incredible decade in terms of pop musical creativity. Fifth Dimension blew my mind in ‘66. Thanks for keeping the greatness alive with your knowledge and history of this music.

[@garnetfaulkner4667]

One of my all time favorite bands. Their greatest hits album made me appreciate Dylan more. We were lucky in many ways to have been a part of that generation. I'm 72 and I think about what my parents listened to when they were in their 70's and I still listen to Hendrix and Bowie and all of the bands we grew up with. There are many new bands that I enjoy. Your shows are great and bring back so many memories. Thank you sir!

[@jimgish6546]

I saw The Byrds in Sept 1970 playing in the gym at Pennsylvania Military College. Sat on the floor 10 feet in front of Clarence and McGuinn. Like you said, if you lived it, it was a whole different experience.

[@tomkeefe599]

Was Jo there?

[@jimgish9418]

@@tomkeefe599 Jo is everywhere my friend

[@lamarbender3023]

I love the Byrds and consider them among my 3 favorite bands from the 60's. I grew up with their earlier music as well and did not discover Sweetheart until the last 10 years. A great album! Thank you for the detailed and interesting commentary about each of their albums.

[@xnyph8490]

You're opening minds to wonderful music! Thank-you.

[@jimward6445]

Pete Frame did the family tree for 'History Of The Byrds' and for a great many other bands too; they appeared regularly in the Zigzag fan magazine here in the UK.

[@Ianmackable]

They've also been compiled in several books. I've got the the first two, and never tire of reading them.

[@NorthernCitrusParrot]

Thanks for this. Absolutely love the Byrds coming to their music when I was 21 in the late 80s. Interesting to hear the views of someone who was there at the time. Can remember hearing Goin' Back for the first time and listening to what I thought was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard. They can bury me with my Byrds albums.

[@kevinhentze1909]

Brilliant, and Comprehensive, as per usual, Mazzy! Preflyte (1969) is the only release you omitted that i would have included, with the compilations. Obviously you know it is comprised of demo material (from 1964) recorded at World Pacific Studios, prior to the release of their first studio album. As a collection of previously unreleased demo recordings, Preflyte is one of the earliest examples of the issuing of outtakes by a band. Yet another first for the seminal & incomparable Byrds. Also, I just simply LOVE The Airport Song, so very, very much. Okay, i also would include the compilation album Never Before, 1987. Comprised of material recorded from 20 January, 1965 - 13 November, 1967, at Columbia Studios and RCA Studios. Here are contained alternate takes (Eight Miles High), previously unreleased songs, et alia. Hey, it's The Byrds, as someone in-the-know (that's you, Mazzy 🤪) said, there is no bad Byrds album. Peace, Cheers, Dan

[@leeconrad2689]

Been a fan since the mid 60s. Loved Gene's voice. I wish I still had my blue Granny glasses ;)

[@ryantunks]

Gene would have been almost perfect, except his favorite song subject to write about is how a chick got the best of him :) thats not rock n roll

[@whitey7998]

Really great, detailed review Mazzy. Never really dipped into The Byrds but will definitely get a few of these now. Thanks from U.K.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

THIS is probably the absolute BEST, detailed ranking of the Byrd's albums in existence. Congrats on making such an awesome video!

[@thestranger56]

What a great headphones band, particularly on Younger than Yesterday. I love that era of The Byrds; successfully adding country to their psychedelic sound. Great vid, man.

[@thehufflepuffhermione]

Definitely a band I want to check out. Good timing with this video. Keep up the rankings. I love them.

[@rockroll6791]

thanks for doing this show, man what a ton of talent these guys had...

[@onmyturntable7036]

Just came across your channel: great stuff! Excellent overview of The Byrds studio releases: 'Untitled' is up there for me as well, and revisit it often. Onto the next ranking!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for visiting and watching ✌🏼

[@lladnar69]

The double album you spoke of, half live/ half studio, was proven to work by the atom bomb that was Cream: Wheels of Fire in '68. ALL touring bands at that time HAD to become "jam" bands because of the change in audience expectations after Cream. I agree, I wish The Byrds had continued playing like they did on that album. There is good video of the jam version of 8 miles high here on you tube! Love your vids.

[@tonyhonour665]

Pink Floyd did the same, releasing Ummagumma in 1969.

[@lladnar69]

@@tonyhonour665 Thats right. I love that album. Jethro Tull's living in the past is almost one. That is a great album.

[@bradleyclough3156]

Mazzy, I'm loving your reflections on all these great artists; becoming a big fan--cheers!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you ✌🏽

[@glenn301]

Great video, Norman. I liked your point about a 20 year old discovering a band with 30 or 40 years of history behind them because that’s exactly what happened for me. My favorite album is Notorious Byrd Brothers. My dad’s is also Fifth Dimension.

[@christopherfletcher5384]

I love how George borrowed off of the Byrds cover of Bells of Rhymney with If I Needed Someone.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yup. And McGuinn picked up the Rik 12 string because of George in A Hard Days Night.

[@peteowen3539]

NBB for me. Bought it the day it came out. Just amazing.

[@clarenzlarka]

Yep. Incredibly great

[@runtoeat]

I am 73, and have been there if not physically, throughout the 50's and up. I agree that you cannot just discover a band, you have to live and grow with them if you are of a like mind. Examples: Jethro Tull .I went to see every chance and bought everything. How can you rank their records? Usually, their initial releases hook you and the importance of each release grows until they hit a wall and I can't focus on newer releases. Some like John Prine, Los Lobos, Van Morrison, the Kinks, and Neil young, have kept me involved and enriched for 50 years. Love your rankings, which gives me perspective on the artists you have covered. "Too old to Rock and Roll, too young to die". I wish!

[@christopherrigby2798]

It's 104 degrees F in your currency today so chilling out, literally, to your video ranking which goes more or less as I see them. Regarding History of The Byrds, it came out in '73 and was my gateway into the group and coupled with The Worst of Jefferson Airplane was my alternative listening session to UK pop 45s in the mid 70's being just in double digits. That compilation was notable for a few reasons, the easiest way to get Lady Friend and She Don't Care About Time and in proper mono in an era of fake stereo. The Pete Frame family tree wasn't just handy for following what happened within the Byrds but lead to my exploring of Poco, Jackson Browne, Linda Rondstat (sp?) and the Eagles. Thanks for your many videos, Chris (Curiosity), Stoke on Trent, Staffs, England.

[@stanleycrim]

Great vid. Thanx for taking me back. For what it's worth (nothing), I rate Mr. Tambourine Man #1, Turn, Turn, Turn or Untitled #2 & #3, 5D #4, & Notorious #5 (I've changed rankings even writing these two lines). Thanx again. Big fun.

[@surfraptor]

Love the Byrds. Recall I heard "Mr Tambourine Man" for the 1st time on the radio in Holland. Saw em in 1970 twice, the Clarence White version at the famous Amsterdam Concertgebouw and at the Kralingen Pop Festival. Saw the Flying Burrito Brothers after Gram left, saw David Crosby. I'd swap all those for one gig with the original Byrds with Gene Clark. Love your vids.

[@mazzysmusic]

Cool. Never saw them during the Clarence White time ✌🏽

[@dutchcoyote]

Hi Norman, I only have two albums of the Byrds, sweetheart of the rodeo and Byrdmaniax and I love them both, great albums i.m.o. and thanks for your great videos:)

[@mazzysmusic]

Well now you might know which ones to go for next....

[@glenncollins4778]

Love this review and totally wholeheartedly agree with your rankings. I graduated in 67 went to LA in 68 . I’m right there with ya

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks for this, Mazzy. I enjoy the Byrds but a lot of their albums seem to blur together for me so this was useful. Pete Frame is your family tree guy. Cheers, James

[@Lowtech14]

I enjoy your ranking videos, lots of food for thought in them. One album you don’t mention that absolutely re-got me into the Byrds is 1969 Live at The Fillmore. That album kicks ass. King Apathy lll and Bad Night At The Whiskey whoo hoo.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah the Live Fillmore is great they should have stayed together in their last configuration.

[@garyolshan4177]

The Byrds were the American Beatles. As usual, great job NM, Just played Best of The Byrds on vinyl

[@redbeard374]

I think McGuinn said if that horse was supposed to represent Crosby, he would've been facing the other way🤣. Good talk-ups on each; just recently picked up the self-titled from '70. Dig it. Desperately need Sweetheart. I think Notorious is my #1, but 5th Dimension sneaks in there from time to time. Good stuff. Man, you've been cranking out the videos lately! Keep 'em comin, sir.

[@TheOmahaIntrovert]

A Byrds ranking, yay! I didn't know they were amongst your top 3! Rad! Can't beat their jangly sound. Just takes me home. Yeah, even though Gene wasn't a long-standing member, he sure contributed a sh*t ton to the group. My top 5 shuffles around a lot depending on the month, but at the moment, my top 5 are: 5. Turn! Turn! Turn! (includes my #1 fav Byrds song with "It Won't Be Wrong" 4. Fifth Dimension 3. Younger Than Yesterday 2. Mr. Tambourine Man 1. Notorious Byrd Bros. Really enjoyed this, Mazzy! Cheers!

[@mazzysmusic]

Can't argue with that list. All good stuff. They have been a very fave for so very long. Nice to hear from you Hannah!!!

[@clancydubh]

Great video! My top two - Fifth Dimension & Notorious Byrd Brothers

[@vinylrichie007]

It’s good to see you rating records. You are growing balls. The Byrds are my 3rd favorite 60’s band.

[@vinylrichie007]

@Fred c. Dobbs Yeah, Freddie and the Dreamers are so much better.

[@mikefannon6994]

Can't disagree with your album rankings. I have almost all of these albums.. My favorite Byrds songs: 1 Mr. Tambourine Man 2 Eight Miles High 3 Chestnut Mare Mr. Tambourine Man was the hit of that summer (1965?). Parties at the lake and young love! Thanks for a great video!

[@beatlejeb]

Great video! Always loved The Byrds. They are a band that are not discussed enough. I always mention them in the same breath as The Beatles, Stones, Who, and other top 60's bands. My top 3 are Younger Than Yesterday, Untitled, and Mr. Tambourine Man.

[@alandonald9008]

A fantastic band. Love that you mentioned Glory Glory, The Ballad of Easy Rider, Jesus is Just Alright, Chestnut Mare, Lovers of the Bayou, Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man, Old Blue, Hickory Wind and Wasn't Born to Follow. What a great playlist that would make! I would add one you didn't mention - One Hundred Years From Now.

[@margaretross9150]

Interesting that three of these songs were written or co-written by Gram Parsons, who was only with the band five months and was not made a real member of the Byrds. Just an employee, they called him. Gary Usher said he worked pretty closely with Gram and enjoyed doing it.

[@stevefleming8742]

Nice video. History of the byrds was the 1st byrds I had in the 80s. Great picture. Greetings from liverpool

[@mazzysmusic]

Hello Liverpool. Miss ya😎

[@mikebruce3933]

Thanks for this Mazzy. For some inexplicable reason I don't have any Byrds albums in my collection. I'll have to remedy that.

[@Wildberryjamband]

Long time fan here, obsessed with the group in the early 2000's just after the CD reissue period. Byrdmaniax was a lost opportunity for a great album. I read that some orchestra was dubbed to help flesh out some of it, but if the material was seen to be weak, it would have made sense to add to the album and use the UNTITLED outtakes Lover Of The Bayou / Whites Lighting / Willin' to fill up Side 2 of Byrdmaniax with more songs. Considering the backgrounds of White and McGuinn, that lineup could have brought up a dozen more cover songs from country, folk and blues, but somehow they just lacked material when it came time to go the studio. . . . And back in 66, the third album should have been competing with the Beatles but there was no Gene song or true pop hit single to establish the 5D album. I think Gene Clark;'s "Echoes" song came out in 1967, but that material would have been stronger under the Byrds name. He wasn't a true solo act, and the Byrds needed a couple of songs, and so in the end they all missed out on having a better run in the charts. They lost momentum when they weren't in the Monterey film, but Notorious Byrd Brothers is one of the best albums of 1968 and should be studied by a larger audience.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for your wonderful comments. They are still a special band for me ✌🏽

[@RockessentialTim]

Really, really dig your channel. Besides the Byrds, The Kinks are one of my very favorites too.

[@PaulRobinson64]

Mazzy Thank you for this introduction to the Byrds. I loved 8 Miles High live. Thank you

[@ederbofete4833]

I just bought 5TH Dimension on CD a couple of hours ago, I'm really interested on The Byrdsm cool video, liked and subscribed!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you. Enjoy the music ✌🏼

[@ronaldschuurman3967]

Unfortunately I didn't get to see the Byrds live, I'm from 1981. Luckily I had the pleasure of seeing Chris Hillman live at a performance with Herb Pedersen in 2006? Roger McGuinn impressed me more during a live concert in 2014. Of course I have most Byrds records in my collection. Thank you Mazzy for giving this top band some attention again.

[@DavidMFChapman]

In the 90’s Roger McGuinn recorded a CBC radio show here in Halifax and I entered a trivia contest to win tickets to be in the live audience. It was a great show.

[@albarton7189]

Mazzy, I enjoyed your video, as always. We’re about the same age and I totally disagree with you about the reunion album. I loved it. For me, it was maybe more of a Crosby led album with the others supporting him. Great song selection: both Neil Young songs, Mitchell’s For Free, and two great Crosby tunes: Long Live the King and Laughing. I probably played that album a thousand times back in the day. Crosby should release a Joni Mitchell cover album. Only he could do it right. His recent cover of Amelia is one of my favorites. Also, Jorma Kaukonen and John Hurlbut released a 10 minute version The Ballad of Easy Rider on a recent Record Store Day album titled The River Flows. You’re probably already familiar with it, but, on the slim chance you’re not, you ought to check it out. One last thing: Dusty Springfield does the “definitive” version of Going Back.

[@kevindeibert3369]

Younger Than Yesterday is my favorite! Good list . Thanks

[@northwesterncorgi]

A most well balanced and nuanced ranking, Norman. I tend also to include 'Preflyte' as being amongst the original albums as it was released during the band's lifetime. We in the UK are mourning the recent and unexpected death of Johnny Rogan - the Byrds were uniquely fortunate in having their career and legacy documented by such a gifted writer. Keep up the excellent work.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah Preflyte is interesting It’s good I just don’t feel I should have included it since it was a different label thing

[@margaretross9150]

So sorry to hear about Johnny Rogan; such a loss.

[@carltweed942]

The loss of Johnny Rogan is sad indeed. His obsessive attention to detail when it came to the Byrds/solo Byrds was mind-boggling. I first came across him via his contributions to Dark Star fanzine in the late 1970s.

[@northwesterncorgi]

@@carltweed942 Yes indeed Carl - I vividly remember once such piece, entitled 'The Byrds - Into the Vaults'. That's when I became aware that the single version of 'Why' was a dramatically different recording from the track on 'Younger Than Yesterday'. And then in the mid 80s, there was that tape of unreleased 1965-67 recordings that he wrote so enticingly about - eventually of course these saw the light of day in the form of the revelatory 'Never Before' archive release.

[@alexanderschulze7479]

Love The Byrds! Thanks, Mazzy. Always enjoy learning about your perspective. Say, can you recommended a definite book or biography on The Byrds? You mentioned this in the beginning. Thanks :-)

[@desertcrawlers]

Farther along is my favorite... how bummed I was to hear it at 12

[@JCStorm76]

It’s my favourite too. He had it way too low. It’s a lost classic

[@JCStorm76]

@rob lagan That’s their worst album too

[@luchorios5663]

Thanks for this....had never known the Byrds that in depth , Would be great if you could talk about The Hollies and Love...just a suggestion, Have a nice day...

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Must admit I'm not familiar w. The Byrds 🤫 even if I'm +60... "Sweetheart..." was amongst 130 LPs given to me by a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was on it's way to others via an "antique bookstore"... - but then I stumbled over this video where you rate it #5, so I'll give it a thorough listen (and probably keep it as the first Byrds record, I have 😀)

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

Byrds, another group I know but don’t know. I could never talk about their deep tracks. With that in mind I 100% agree with your ranking, who am I to say different. Steve

[@user-rp6tm6wq4m]

My favorite L.A. bands from the same period are: 1) The Doors 2) The Byrds 3) Love and 4)The Electric Prunes. Anyway, thanks for the video Norman!

[@billkeon880]

I stumbled on to a B side of a single called Lady Friend about five years ago, and I was blown away. It could have been a hit and should have been on Younger. Just glad I found it. One of my fav Byrd’s songs

[@mrswimmyboy]

Its on the 1996 Younger than Yesterday reissue as a bonus track.

[@ryantunks]

you and i need to roll a j and listen to records some time. you nailed this list

[@ryantunks]

i think my favorite thing on fifth dimension is Dave laughing during What's Happening?!?!

[@pbthal]

Really enjoying these rankings, where do you stand on the mono vs stereo for the early titles? And Bradley's Barn is a great record..so is Triangle

[@dadonabudgetvinyl1819]

Norman, I really enjoyed this program and have several of your videos now, English Folk, XTC and now this Byrds program and they've all been excellent. You could easily do another show on the Byrds... maybe spend a little more time focusing on the different line ups and especially the work of Gene Clark. I also feel that Chris Hillmen and Gene Parsons deserve a little more time. You also mentioned Los Lobos and I love you for that. Please do a show on them and turn a few more people onto their wonderful catalog and many fantastic side projects. In the meantime, nice job and beautiful collection. Keep up the good work!

[@mazzysmusic]

I’ll probably do some sort of Byrds Parts video in the future. Good idea

[@dadonabudgetvinyl1819]

@@mazzysmusic awesome, but the main idea is Los Lobos. Los Lobos. Los Lobos. I dont know of a more criminally underrated band. They really should be on every music lovers list. I'm with you on Beatles, Byrds and Kinks as bands. But as far as musicians go, I dont anyone more talented or soulful or humble, than David Hidalgo. Los Lobos, Latin Playboys, Houndog, 3 Skulls, soundtrack work... the list just goes on and on. And I'm willing to bet that you own most if not all of it. Lol. Good times. Thanks again for your work.

[@domico5838]

Sweetheart of the rodeo is a country rock masterpiece!!! Until I heard that record I just didn't give the byrds a chance because of all the Dylan songs they covered I didn't think they had the ability to be creative. That lead me to get into the rest of their catalog and I'm so glad that I did.

[@robison5396]

Great review Mazzy. I've been a big fan of the Byrds for almost 30 years. I have many of their 60s albums on CD, but the vinyl is hard to come by in the UK ( at least OGs in decent shape). I adore Younger Than Yesterday and Notorious Byrds Brothers, they're my favourites.The only one of their 70s albums I have is The 1973 comeback album. Shame Crosbys' song Triad wasn't included on NBB, ( i believe it got vetoed in favour of Goin' Back).To be honest, i prefer Dusty Springfields' version of Goin' Back, her voice just lends a more fragile feel somehow and i love the orchestrations. Hope you're keeping well. 😉👍

[@tyesmith9661]

Your comments about vocals made me think about the instrumental performances. I'd love to hear your take on the best contributions of this era to albums by The Wrecking Crew. It would be an interesting ranking. Let us know what you think. Thanks.

[@casperguylkn]

Byrdmaniax, Farther Along, Untitled, Sweetheart and Younger than Yesterday

[@TRamone01]

Mr. Tambourine Man is an album I could not do without. Go electric Bob!

[@chrissygerwitz520]

It is insane that Mazzy didn't put "Mr. Tambourine Man" as the best Byrds album. It was their best and most iconic album. Come on.

[@mazzysmusic]

Well that would be your choice. I love it and 5D is my choice. Based on the comments, we all have a different take of these records. Frequently based on when we first heard them and that our tastes were at the time.

[@chrissygerwitz520]

@@mazzysmusic Why should any album review be "based on when we first heard them and that our tastes were at the time?" Enough time has passed at this point that we can step back and objectively rate these great albums in a more meaningful way for a current ranking list.

[@TRamone01]

@@mazzysmusic Always interested in what you think especially as The Byrds are one of your favorite bands. They had a lot of talent and incredible albums.

[@brianmedeiros6845]

You really got me going on the Kinks Lol On the hunt for 1968/1969 The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. Will need to settle for the 1969 RS 6327 which it totally fine. Thank You

[@thomasroth4533]

Great talk. I grew up with The Byrds and Notorious is my favorite. It contains two songs in 5/4 time, quite unusual in rock and pop. (Get to You and Tribal Gathering) McGuinn was asked if the horse on the cover was Crosby, No, he said. If it was we would have turned the horse around.

[@GIBKEL]

Maybe this isn’t a logical question but listening to you reminded me of a great Country-esque I got into an early 00’s Court and Spark -Bless You. -only put out on cd but it’s a gorgeous record and hard to describe, definitely a country vibe. Short lived but continue to check out M.C Taylor solo works. I continue to come back to it. The Byrds are a neglected part of my collection. I couldn’t tell you why? Always praised and referenced. What a time in music.

[@franklarin8100]

Always loved that psychedelic 12 string electric guitar and folk rock style of the Byrds. Thank You.

[@1175rw]

One of my favorite bands. I remember just staring at the album covers from Turn! Turn! Turn! and Fifth Dimension and Younger Than Yesterday and was totally mesmerized by the music. Eight Miles High is in my top 5 songs of all time.

[@billkelley4860]

I really enjoyed your Byrd's theme. I was lucky enough to see the Untitled group at Duke's Joe College weekend in '72. Unbelievably good and Clarence White was a revelation. Also, attended the 50th anniversary of Sweethearts of the Rodeo with Marty Stuart and band. The stage was full of amazing string instrument musicians and Marty was playing Clarence's B bender guitar.

[@mazzysmusic]

I really wanted to see that Sweetheart tour. Was hoping they would make it to San Francisco or Seattle but they didn't... I did see Marty several years ago and he is amazing!!

[@billkelley4860]

@@mazzysmusicMarty was having a ball playing with McGuinn and Hillman. One of the best shows I've seen in many years. The Fabulous Superlatives has to be one of the all time band names.

[@RandallWeaver]

Really enjoyed the ranking Mazzy. I think you could have spent more time on Bugler, but that's ok. It's sort of a minor song. I guess my only other dispute is your low ranking of Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde. I agree with you overall - they're all great.

[@bandcouver]

I know my Top 5 Byrds albums are: 1.) Notorious Byrd Brothers 2.) Younger Than Yesterday 3.) Fifth Dimension 4.) Mr. Tambourine Man and 5.) Turn! Turn! Turn! It's a toss up with most of the others, except the double 'Untitled', which I'm searching out.

[@frankholdman743]

Huge Byrds fan here Mazzy! Loved your countdown & you picked my favorite Byrds album Fifth Dimension! 5D may be my favorite song! Big Gene Clark fan here but that album is my favorite! Did you ever get to see Gene live? I think you said you saw the 4 man line up in 1967- I love your videos & great taste in music!!

[@mazzysmusic]

I saw Gene at a club in Berkeley and up near Santa Rosa CA a bit after No Other. Twice same tour.

[@frankholdman743]

Wow that must have been amazing to see Gene at that time! I see you have an XTC box on your shelf - you should do a countdown on their great catalog- 👍

[@incamera1457]

Big Gene fan here too. Have you seen the Gene Clark No Other Band recreate that album on stage on KZbin? Excellent.

[@derosa1989]

Love that family tree for 'History Of The Byrds', thanks mazzy!

[@tinalagden1238]

I have all the Byrd's UK original albums but "Byrdmaniax" has always been my favourite.The line up for this lp is superb !

[@jimtremblay5539]

1 Notorious 2 Younger 3 5D 4 Untitled 5 Mr Tambourine Man 6 sweetheart 7 Ballad of Easy Rider 8 Dr Byrds 9 Turn 10 farther along 11 byrdmaniax 12 Byrds

[@michaelneal900]

Roger Mcguinn's faster banjo picking made his 12 string play much more jangly.

[@groverbaker6404]

Excellent job!! Thanks

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you too!

[@cindyurban150]

I love "Chestnut Mare". I think Tom Petty was somewhat influenced by them, he even sings "Feelin A Whole lot Better"...love it.

[@mazzysmusic]

Petty was influences by the Byrds big time.

[@bluebird925]

Tom Petty also did "So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star" too.

[@johnsmusicpassions9740]

byrdmaniax is my favourite because of the variety and the eclecticism of it

[@StanKindly]

I bought "The Byrd That Flew Alone" documentary of Gene Clark. A lot of great Byrd history there - beside Gene being one of favorite songwriters ever. It was done by Four Suns Productions a few years ago and is not being distributed anymore. But if you contact them I think they may do one-on-one sales. Highly recommended ❤️🎶

[@almar2410]

Hello! My top is 1. The Byrds' Greatest Hits - A 2. Notorious Byrd Brothers - A- 3. Sweetheart of a Rodeo - A- 3. Mr. Tambourine Man - B+ 4. Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde - B+ 5. Fifth Dimension - B 6. Turn! Turn! Turn! - B 7. Younger Than Yesterday - B- 8. Ballad of Easy Rider - B- 9. Untitled - B- 10. Byrdmaniax - C+ 11. Byrds - C 12. Father Along - C

[@josefeschweiler3631]

I alway find it quite difficult to rank albums, but in some cases I do agree. My personal fvourites are Untitled and Maniax, the latter one because its so controversial and has the most artistic cover. Kinks, Beatles, Byrds are as well among my favourite bands of that aera, although I was a bit too young for the scene and only followed them from 1968 onward. Thank you & cheers ... Josef

[@simonvaughan6017]

You have excellent taste, by which I mean your taste is very similar to mine! I got to know about the Byrds through my parents' copy of the Greatest Hits, and then bought most of the individual albums for myself. I remember finding a vinyl copy of _(Untitled)_ at a record fair getting on for thirty years ago. Of all bands, I think the Byrds are the one whose _sound_ I love the most. British bands of the late '80s and early '90s were supposedly influenced by it, but none of them could really reproduce those jingle-jangle guitars in their true avyan glory. By the way, I don't think I've ever heard an American use the word "wanker" before!

[@mazzysmusic]

Wanker us one of my very favorite words 😎

[@simonvaughan6017]

@@mazzysmusic Along with the Kinks, the word "wanker" is one of Britain's finest exports.

[@glennweaver3014]

Nice job on the reviews. I love the Byrds. I would have changed the order a little bit giving the Younger than Yesterday album the #1 spot and the Tambourine Man album the #2 spot. Both superb albums. Also, I think Turn Turn Turn could have been a better album if it included The Day Walk and She Don't Care About Time, and possibly the first version of It's All Over Now Baby Blue. Of course they would have had to delete a few cuts to fit these three songs on the record. Oh Susanna would be a good candidate to get the ax. I never grow tired of listening to all this great Byrds music and all the offshoots and solo work. Byrds forever!

[@tatedavis2016]

My favorite Byrds studio album is probably 5D, like yours. My favorite release by them is Live At The Royal Albert Hall 1971. McGuinn, White, Battin, and Parsons are all on fire on that.

[@derwynpowell7689]

I had looked forward to the Byrd's (1972) reunion album but was disappointed upon release as it just couldn't replicate that magic of a earlier era. In saying that l find some nice gems on the album. Full Circle was a nice intro and came close to the Byrd's that flew a longtime ago. Also Born to R'nR and Sweet Mary. As is sometimes the case reunion albums are a make it or break ordeal. We can be set up to be let down. Two albums that l enjoy are Beau Brummels '75 S/T & Animals... Before we were so rudely Interrupted from' 76, both hold up well and carry some of that feeling of their early days... And just like the Byrd's.... All original members in both bands... (for extra points).

[@TyroneEpps]

Great review ! 😊

[@justindjtapefire9220]

Yessir. #1&2 are my favorites as well.

[@brendanoreilly2014]

The steep drop off in quality when it comes to Byrds albums is staggering.

[@namcat53]

Oh, if only there were concert films of The Byrds when they first started out 1965- 67....

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Give me one song that defines the Byrds ????? For me it’s “Feel a Whole Lot Better”. Even though it was a B side song

[@mazzysmusic]

Agree 🌟

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

It's probably my ABSOLUTE favorite.....

[@richardfinlayson1524]

Yeah that was my favourite too, I used to love that song so much in the 80s, a few bands did cover versions of it in those days

[@donchristian7314]

100% with you on that! Played it as a concert opener for years in my cover band and it never NEVER, failed to get the audience up and pumped. Side note 75% of our music came from The Byrds, The Beatles and The Zombies.

[@roygoad2870]

So where are The Rolling Stones The Beach Boys and The Who on your list of favourite bands? Excellent vlog👍. My memory of The Byrds first UK tour in 1965 was there live performances were panned and they got very bad reviews from fans and critics, I remember buying a rock magazine called Zig Zag that was the first time I saw the family trees, there was a book published that had all his trees, amazing! Have you ever done a vlog on Emitt Rhodes, who unfortunately died last year, I would like to hear your opinion on his life and music?

[@mazzysmusic]

I resisted ranking records but I’m finding it enjoyable and the reaction has been great for the most part with a few folks being pissed off 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ll eventually working my way through sone of those artists you cite. ✌🏽

[@martinpatrick3589]

Good to acknowledge Michael Nesmith's country-rock work prior to Sweetheart as well. (minor quibble!) Enjoyed your discussion here and especially your enthusiasm for such relative "outliers" as Byrdmaniax and Untitled. And your enthusiasm in general is a great aspect of your videos hugely watchable!

[@kevindeibert3369]

The Kinks are so underrated! The Byrds were great!

[@750drums]

Thanks Mazzy nice to see the Byrds get some airtime. Not a fan of McGuinn's "new Byrds ( post Sweetheart ). The LPs by the original band are all great as are all the Sundazed archival releases. Turn Turn Turn and Fifth Dimension both suffer a bit from a few poor choices of material, when there was better stuff they had recorded available . Hindsight is 20/20. Gene Clark wrote all of Eight Miles , except one line by Crosby. Documented by many. My ranking would be Mr. Tambourine Man, Turn Turn Turn, Fifth Dimension, Younger Than Yesterday, Notorious, Reunion, & Sweetheart. Hard to argue with yours as well. All subjective, of course.Keep the videos coming !