Wednesday May 26, 2021 “Mr. Tambourine Man” The Byrds
We couldn’t pay tribute to Mr. Dylan’s 80th without recognizing the second of his songs that said to a wide audience, ‘hey listen to this!’
The Byrds’ version of ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, so much better vocally than Dylan's version, was produced by Terry Melcher (Doris Day’s son) and recorded by the legendary “Wrecking Crew’ studio musicians. McGuinn’s twelve string guitar is included for the signature sound. David Crosby slips into the background, but as he did with Crosby, Stills & Nash, he is one of the best harmonizers (should such a word exist) in rock music.
This song changed the face of rock music as it launched The Byrds and further convinced Dylan to "go electric". It was the first influential folk-rock song introducing all of the characteristics of that genre, chorus harmonies, a rock rhythm section and thought-provoking lyrics.
And watch Byrds bass player Chris Hillman, standing behind David Crosby in the video and watching him as if Crosby was a sociopathic killer..he wasn’t, was he? And before the Byrds, Roger McGuinn toured with pop star Bobby Darin's band.
Stay safe and well...and didn’t we all want glasses just like Roger Mc Guinn wore in this performance...you bet we did!