The Byrds - The Byrds: Under Review

The Byrds’ eight-year flight was a rollercoaster of line-up changes around founder Roger McGuinn, with success never on tap as the music pinballed between folk-rock, psychedelia and country before providing a vibrant nest for the supernova talent of Clarence White. But The Byrds forged classics such as Turn Turn Turn, Feel A Whole Lot Better and breathtaking Coltrane-raga Eight Miles High, whose repercussions still jingle-jangle today At over three hours this is the most exhaustive Under Review to date, requiring two discs for former Byrds members, studio participants and writers to trace the story painstakingly and respectfully, using contributor Johnny Rogan’s biography as a guide illustrated with clips, recollections and analysis. An attention-holding bunch, including hilarious genius Van Dyke Parks, who played on Fifth Dimension, Wrecking Crew guitarist Jerry Cole, fiddler Byron Berline and late 60s bassist John York, another mine of stories and technique. Oh, and Keef talking about Gram Parsons. The Byrds’ early 70s highpoint with Untitled is beautifully narrated by 1968-72 drummer Gene Parsons, who demonstrates the ‘stringbender’ technique he taught Clarence White as you marvel at rock’s most spectacular moustache. Crucially, this insightful work feels worth the sore arse and packed lunch afterwards.