The Byrds - Born to Rock and Roll - Non-Album Tracks (1972-1973)

In the wake of David Crosby's death, I want to post some more music by Crosby with the Byrds, but first I'm moving through the Byrds' career chronologically, and the next one doesn't have Crosby in it (except for a very little bit). This stray tracks album marks the end of the era of the Byrds from their origin to their first break up in 1973. But there would be intermittent reunions after that, including one of all the original members later in 1973!

The Byrds slowly petered out in 1972 and 1973, with Roger McGuinn as the only original member. The band last studio albums were released in 1971, "Byrdmaniax" and "Father Along." They did a little more studio recording in 1972 (tracks 2, 3, and 5 here), but none of it was released at the time. They continued to tour extensively until February 1973, however. Meanwhile, a reunion with all five original members - McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, and Michael Clarke - was brewing. These five recorded a new album in late 1972, while the other version of the band was still performing concerts. The reunion version put out the studio album "Byrds" in March 1973. McGuinn broke up the touring version of the band at that time due to anticipation that the original members would go on tour. But their new studio album was a critical and commercial disappointment, and no tour materialized. But McGuinn retired the Byrds name at that point, and started a solo career instead.

There are some songs here attributed to the Byrds. In addition to the three studio tracks mentioned above (eventually released as bonus tracks), there are unreleased versions of "Kansas City" and "The Water Is Wide." The rest of the songs though are generally solo works. However, there's the odd case of the song "My New Woman." This was included on McGuinn's first solo album, simply called "Roger McGuinn," and also released in 1973. All of the original Byrds either played or sang on it, including David Crosby, which is why I said above there was a little bit of Crosby in this album. I'm guessing that song was an outtake from the 1972 sessions for the reunion album by the original members.

Towards the end of the Byrds' career, lead guitarist Clarence White had become a key member. Unfortunately, he was killed in July 1973 due to being struck by a drunk driver when he was loading musical instrument into a parked car. Five of the remaining songs here feature White. Another is from a solo album by Byrds member Skip Battin.

01 Kansas City (Byrds)
02 Lost My Drivin' Wheel (Byrds)
03 Born to Rock and Roll (Byrds)
04 Alabama Jubilee [Instrumental] (Clarence White)
05 Bag Full of Money (Byrds)
06 My New Woman (Roger McGuinn & the Byrds)
07 Why You Been Gone So Long (Clarence White with Ry Cooder)
08 The Last Thing on My Mind (Clarence White)
09 The Water Is Wide (Byrds)
10 I Am a Pilgrim [Instrumental Version] (Clarence White & Bob Baxter)
11 China Moon (Skip Battin)
12 Draggin' (Roger McGuinn)
13 Lost Highway (Clarence White & Muleskinner)

https://www.upload.ee/files/16376785/TBYRD1972-1973BrntoRckndRll_atse.zip.html

The cover photo was taken in Connecticut in June 1972.