A little late to add to the summer book list, but arriving right in time for those early – ahem – “bird” holiday shoppers will be ‘The Byrds: 1964-1967,’ a large-format, 400-page collectible art book curated by the band’s three surviving founding members, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and David Crosby.
The Byrds exploded when they released a cover of “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965, introducing Bob Dylan’s songs to a new audience and launched a career that would see them grow to become one of the most influential pop rock bands of all time and eventual Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Showcasing their unmistakable harmonies and McGuinn’s innovative 12-string Rickenbacker guitar work, the group never stopped experimenting, incorporating folk, country and jazz influences into a fresh blend that helped define an era.
McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby now come together not to perform, but to present a tabletop book which offers a unique visual history of the group’s defining era. Featuring more than 500 images from legendary photographers such as Henry Diltz, Curt Gunther, Jim Marshall, Linda McCartney and Guy Webster, ‘The Byrds: 1964-1967’ also includes restored images from the Columbia Records archives and personal archives of the band’s original manager.
“Being in The Byrds was a detour to my dream of being a folk singer,” McGuinn said in a statement It was a very special detour, and one I will always hold close to my heart.”
The book sees a running commentary featuring McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby’s memories of the group, the era and their late bandmates Gene Clark and Michael Clarke. Available in standard and three additional formats, it delivers a truly unique collector’s item for Byrds fans and any collector of photography books featuring the storied pop culture of the 1960s.
‘The Byrds: 1964-1967’ is available in four editions. Each is an oversized 10.5 x 13 inch large-format presentation with more than 500 photographs across 400 pages. Printed in Italy on 200 gsm premium art paper, all versions feature thread-sewn binding and a quarter-bound casing. The standard edition retails for $125 and is limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.
Other options include a “Deluxe Edition” hand signed by McGuinn and Hillman and comes in a custom matching slipcase, limited to only 1600 copies worldwide with a retail price of $350. The “Super Deluxe Edition” also has Crosby’s signature, comes in a custom clamshell case, has four gold gilded edges and is limited to 800 copies worldwide retailing at $475. Finally, the “Super Deluxe Edition with Fine Art Print” is hand signed by the three, comes in the clamshell case with gold gilded edges and is limited to only 75 copies worldwide and retails at $1,700. The whopper of a price tag is offset by a choice of one of three exclusive 11 x 14-inch limited edition fine art prints; McGuinn photographed by Diltz in 1967, Hillman photographed by Barry Feinstein in 1965 or Crosby photographed by Marshall in 1965.
Slated for a September release, all versions of the book are now available for presale with additional information at byrdsbook.com. Given the limited quantities of each version, chances are they’ll sell out, especially when people begin to realize the holidays will be here sooner than later.
VINYL OF THE WEEK
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a re-pressing of a landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s a new compilation of two brothers who helped shape the future of rock and roll.
THIRD EYE BLIND: ‘A COLLECTION’
Back in 2006, Third Eye Blind released a greatest hits compilation, ‘A Collection.’ Friday, coincidentally the same day the alt-rock outfit is scheduled to play The Mann Center as part of their 25th anniversary tour, the compilation will debut on vinyl as a double LP.
The set’s 19-tracks were selected from the Bay Area band’s first three studio albums released between 1997-2003 and include their biggest singles mixed with a few rarities and fan favorites. Along with the 180-gram vinyl double-LP set, a special orange-vinyl version is also available exclusively at select brick-and-mortar retailers.
The self-titled Third Eye Blind debut was certified platinum six times in the States, where it spent more than 100 weeks on the Billboard 200. The first side of ‘A Collection’ brings together all five singles from the album, including “How’s It Going to Be,” “Graduate” and “Semi-Charmed Life” the band’s highest-charting single. Released in July 1997, the song topped the Modern Rock chart that August and was certified gold later that year and saw the Billboard Music Awards name it the Modern Rock Track of the Year.
Another essential track from the debut and featured on ‘A Collection’ is “Jumper,’ one of 3EB’s biggest songs that was also embraced as an anti-bullying anthem, especially in the LGBTQ community. Frontman Stephan Jenkins originally it about a friend’s suicide, which led the band to become vocal supporters of suicide prevention.
Tying into that, this year the band collaborated with Smith & Cult to create a line of nail polishes in honor of their 25th anniversary and titled after songs on their six-times platinum debut. The colors are named: Jumper, London, God of Wine, Semi-Charmed, and The Background. Third Eye Blind are donating 100% of the proceeds from the shade Jumper to True Colors United, the non-profit founded by Cyndi Lauper that implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ youth.
The band’s second and third albums, ‘Blue’ (1999) and ‘Out of the Vein’ (2003), contribute ten songs to ‘A Collection.’ Standouts include the Top 20 hit “Never Let You Go” and the singles “10 Days Late” and “Blinded (When I See You).” The set also delivers deep cuts in “Wounded,” “God of Wine,” and the version of “Slow Motion” that includes lyrics. Rounding out the set is a selection of rarities, including “Tattoo of The Sun,” the B-side of “Semi-Charmed Life,” and “My Time in Exile,” which appeared on the Japanese version of ‘Out of the Vein.’
‘A Collection’ can be found online and in stores from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@gmail.com. Also, check out his blog at www.thechroniclesofmc.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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