Other music forums > Microscopes
Microscope: Turn! Turn! Turn! (The Byrds)
Hombre_de_ningun_lugar:
Turn! Turn! Turn! was the second album released by the Byrds, in December 1965. The Folk Rock sound is a carbon copy of Mr. Tambourine Man and it doesn't reach the excellence of that debut, maybe because the time gap between the records was too short. So this wasn't a groundbreaking record as most Byrds' albums were (one of the most diverse bands, actually), but those who liked their previous album should check it out. Gene Clark was still the main songwriter of the band, but Roger McGuinn and David Crosby were slowly starting to contribute own songs.
Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season). This may be the most well known song of the band, and it's their second and last #1 hit. The song was written by Pete Seeger but the lyrics were taken from the Bible (chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes), so Solomon was the true lyricist. The 12-string guitar intro with the company of nice bass lines announces this song as an instant classic. The group vocals are very inspiring as usual, especially during the chorus. The guitar solo is fine, repeating the melody of the song. The song ends with the same guitar melody of the intro, plus some great drumming by Mike Clarke. A defining song of the 60's.
It Won't Be Wrong. A McGuinn's song and quite a rocker track in the context of the album. It features yet another great intro that is repeated in the middle of the song. The lyrics are quite silly, but the usual great vocals and solid drumming make this a catchy song.
Set You Free This Time. Time to shine for Clark, who sings this song he wrote. It's the almost-talking kind of song, still very pleasant and well performed. It ends with some cool harmonica playing.
Lay Down Your Weary Tune. A Dylan's song that was a leftover of his album The Times They Are A-Changin'. Bass sounds good, quite prominent. I like the tune even if it's not very special.
He Was A Friend Of Mine. This is a traditional song with lyrics adapted by McGuinn to talk about JFK. It's a bit monotonous and never gets to fly, but it may have some special meaning for American people.
The World Turns All Around Her. A little gem, written by Clark. It's a quite beatlesque, upbeat song. Very good middle. A highlight.
Satisfied Mind. A cover. Another monotonous song, it ends with a nice harmonica though.
If You're Gone. Another Clark's song, this time a love ballad. The backing harmonies make this an almost trippy tune. Good guitar playing accompanying the vocals. Another high point.
The Times They Are A-Changin'. The Byrds' version of the famous Dylan's song. It sounds like they were trying to do another "Mr. Tamborine Man" but here they were not as effective. The guitar intro doesn't sound very inspiring. I like the drumming though. A decent cover but far from being great.
Wait And See. Another upbeat song, written by McGuinn and Crosby. The short guitar solo doesn't say much. Just a good filler.
Oh! Susannah. A weird version of the famous old song. However, it's not as bad as you may expect. The Byrds usually ended their albums with some kind of joke-song.
In conclusion, not a great album but still very good with some shining moments. The next steps of the band were much more revolutionary, with mixed results.
Hello Goodbye:
--- Quote from: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on September 05, 2012, 03:00:35 AM ---Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season). This may be the most well known song of the band, and it's their second and last #1 hit. The song was written by Pete Seeger but the lyrics were taken from the Bible (chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes), so Solomon was the true lyricist.
--- End quote ---
Kohelet - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Hombre_de_ningun_lugar:
--- Quote from: Hello Goodbye on September 05, 2012, 04:18:51 AM ---Kohelet - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
--- End quote ---
I love this part of the Bible. However, my favorite part of the chapter was not included in the song: "Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account." (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
Hello Goodbye:
--- Quote from: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on September 05, 2012, 04:39:26 AM ---I love this part of the Bible. However, my favorite part of the chapter was not included in the song: "Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account." (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
--- End quote ---
מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה כְּבָר הוּא, וַאֲשֶׁר לִהְיוֹת כְּבָר הָיָה; וְהָאֱלֹהִים, יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת-נִרְדָּף
tkitna:
Darn you Hombre, I havent even gotten the first review up (shortly) and you got me with another I dont have. ha2ha
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version