New Byrds's double DVD "Under Review" release *

[David P. Hill]

From: http://users.skynet.be/byrdsflyght/news2.htm

The Byrds Under Review is a documentary film, which explores in detail the music, career and background of arguably Americaís most influential band.

Inventors of folk-rock and country-rock, and with a sizeable investment in what became garage-rock (and ultimately Punk), The Byrds could barely write a song without creating a new genre.

With the aid of many who were there at the time, as either part of the group or close at hand, this 2 DVD set is a celebration of one of Rock Ní Rollís truly great bands.

Features Include:

Rare and classic performances re-assessed by our panel of experts

Footage and interviews from then and now

Exclusive and extensive contributions from Byrds members John York and Gene Parsons, plus further enlightenment from collaborators such as producer and arrange Van Dyke Parks, LA scenester and Wrecking Crew guitarist Jerry Cole, fiddle player Byron Berline and country guitarist Vern Gosdin

Opinion, review and critique from:

The Byrds esteemed biographer Johnny Rogan; ex-Rolling Stone editor Anthony DeCurtis; legendary music historian and author of Eight Miles High: Folk-Rockís Flight from Haight-Ashbury to Woodstock, Richie Unterberger and British music journalist and author Nigel Williamson

Seldom seen footage of pre-Byrds collectives

Live and studio recordings of Byrds classics such as ëMr. Tambourine Maní,ëIíll Feel A Whole Lot Betterí, ëEight Miles Highí, ëMr Spacemaní, ëSo You Want To Be A Rock Ní Roll Starí, ëHickory Windí, ëChestnut Mareí and many others

Extra Features Include Gene Parsons demonstrates his ëStringBenderí ñ the guitar effect he invented for Byrd Clarence White

Jerry Cole recalls ñ tales of Phil Spector, Charles Manson and other LA notables

The John York Page

Full Contributor Biographies

[OldJohnRobertson]

Um...how you say? HELL YES! :D

[PaulB]

Talk about an advance announcement! That's still a whole year from now.

[pdenny]

I've been watching the new Sandy Denny UNDER REVIEW doc, and its outstanding.

[zobalob]

Talk about an advance announcement! That's still a whole year from now.
The date is nonsense, it's out now, I bought it a few days ago. It's an unofficial and unauthorised survey of the band, as are all of these "Under Review" titles, having said that, the talking heads in this case include Rogan, Van Dyke Parks and one or two others who seem to know what they're talking about, even if it's largely second hand. There's nothing new for the fanatic, (if you exclude a clip of McGuiin playing banjo with the Chad Mitchell trio :laugh: ), but it's an entertaining enough overview. The first DVD covers the period up to and including "Notorious...". I must confess though that I haven't had time to watch all of the second disc yet, having to abandon it after "Sweetheart...." due to it being three in the morning, so can't comment on the Clarence era coverage.

Worth getting, but the real documentary, with full co-operation from McGuinn, Crosby and Hillman remains to be made.

[mr_mjb1960]

Hopefully,it won't contain any of the feuds of the first era,like the one between Crosby and McGuinn!! I've heard enough of that from books and the Bonus Track off the "Notorious" CD which follows the title "Universal Mind Decoder" (It's a Hidden Track). Michael Boyce

[Clarkophile]

There's nothing new for the fanatic, (if you exclude a clip of McGuiin playing banjo with the Chad Mitchell trio :laugh: ), but it's an entertaining enough overview.

Apparently there's a brief clip of Gene Clark with the New Christy Minstrels. For me, that alone makes this worth checking out.

[kevinsinnott]

Any info on why the still-living Byrds weren't interviewed?

[zobalob]

Apparently there's a brief clip of Gene Clark with the New Christy Minstrels. For me, that alone makes this worth checking out.
There is a New Christy Minstrels clip, yes, I'm not sure if Gene's there or not, however.
Any info on why the still-living Byrds weren't interviewed?
I would imagine that they were approached, but declined. This (Under Review) series can be a bit of a hit or miss affair, usually relying on journos and peripheral figures to present a career overview, largely by reviewing the albums of whoever the subject happens to be. What I guess it comes down to is two things, prestige, (if the BBC were doing a biographical account of the Byrds, then I guess the core surviving members would take part, if the remuneration could be agreed), and money.

[Clarkophile]

There is a New Christy Minstrels clip, yes, I'm not sure if Gene's there or not, however.


Raoul over at Byrdsflyte (the source for the link in the first post of this thread) says Gene is seen with the NCM, which is fantastic news. Film of Gene is rare enough, but from this period, no matter how brief, it is quite a find.:righton:


And yes, I do want to see McGuinn with the banjo.:laugh:

[kevinsinnott]

I would imagine that they were approached, but declined. This (Under Review) series can be a bit of a hit or miss affair, usually relying on journos and peripheral figures to present a career overview, largely by reviewing the albums of whoever the subject happens to be. What I guess it comes down to is two things, prestige, (if the BBC were doing a biographical account of the Byrds, then I guess the core surviving members would take part, if the remuneration could be agreed), and money.


Not to take away from this particular show, but I'd sure be interested in a look back at the Byrds with some input from surviving members.

For me, a lot will depend upon how they treat the later years, from Sweetheart on....

[The Panda]

For me, a lot will depend upon how they treat the later years, from Sweetheart on....
There is some neat Fillmore East footage from the Clarence era.

[Clarkophile]

I don't suppose there's a clip of the Gene Clark Group? That would probably be asking too much.

[zobalob]

...And yes, I do want to see McGuinn with the banjo.:laugh:
:agree: I think he'd find it a little embarrasing now. :)
No footage, (or mention), of the Gene Clark Group, unfortunately.

Not to take away from this particular show, but I'd sure be interested in a look back at the Byrds with some input from surviving members.

For me, a lot will depend upon how they treat the later years, from Sweetheart on....
There is quite a lot of good input from John York and Gene Parsons. The second DVD covers this time period.
One strange thing....the final, reunion, album is mentioned, but not covered at all, no sound clips, photos. Maybe there was a rights problem with this one. Strange to mention it as the last Byrds album, but not to "review" it though.

[Clarkophile]

Any info on why the still-living Byrds weren't interviewed?

From what I've been able to find out, the surviving members of the Byrds are not happy about this release. It is completely unauthorized; no licensing fees are being paid for use of music or clips.

Caveat emptor.

[Jose Jones]

From what I've been able to find out, the surviving members of the Byrds are not happy about this release. It is completely unauthorized; no licensing fees are being paid for use of music or clips.

Caveat emptor.

No surprise there. Why participate in someone else's venture when you can do your own and keep more money for yourself? The only thing is, Roger McGuinn seems quite anti-Byrds-reuinion these days and so they really need someone else to put it together and do the leg work, or I don't see it happening.

[beatlematt]

From what I've been able to find out, the surviving members of the Byrds are not happy about this release. It is completely unauthorized; no licensing fees are being paid for use of music or clips.

Caveat emptor.

I just got this from Amazon. I wish I knew where the music or clips were because there are not any on the two DVD's I have. Just a bunch of talking heads. I am sending this back to Amazon due to false advertising. It says Live and studio recordings of Byrds classicsright on the DVD packaging. What happened?:(

[sharedon]

Pretty much what this series is about, alas...