Recorded - January 20, 1965
Released - April 12, 1965
#1 for week of June 26, 1965.
A truly historic #1, and one that permanently changed the face of American music in the 1960's. Prior to 1965, folk music was not considered popular music. In fact, Bob Dylan was considered an esoteric singer/songwriter as few in the pop scene knew about him. Also, American music was still going through its transition phase with many early 1960's pop styles now considered outdated. Then, in 1965, everything changed with the release of "Mr. Tambourine Man", a groundbreaking folk-rock cover of a Bob Dylan song. Both the genre, The Byrds, and the song's original composer became well known overnight.
The Byrds are known by most for being a genre-pioneering band. One could argue that we wouldn't have folk-rock, space themed music, and country rock if not for them. However, we must also give credit where credit is due. Many of The Byrds earlier hits were folk rock covers of songs that were standards in the folk community. Of course, we can certainly thank the band for helping to spread a folk craze in America which lasted well throughout the 1960's and went hand in hand with the eventual counterculture.
It's funny though that a band so known for helping popularize folk did not start out this way at all. The Byrds began life as The Beefeaters, an early Beatles soundalike band. Some of this material, recorded in 1964, is available on the compilation, Preflyte. Although the band largely forgot their British influenced roots as time went on, we can thank George Harrison and his 12-String Rickenbacker guitar playing, which inspired lead singer and guitarist Roger McGuinn. Roger used this guitar liberally on Byrds recordings, and in particular, "Mr. Tambourine Man".
Interestingly enough, Bob Dylan's version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" was recorded a mere five days before The Byrds covered it. While Bob's is strictly acoustic guitar and vocals, The Byrds version is a full band recording. One lesser known fact/bummer is that on this particular session, the only Byrd to play on the recording was Roger McGuinn on lead guitar. All of the other instruments are played by Los Angeles session musicians The Wrecking Crew. (This was reportedly done at producer Terry Melcher's insistence).
However, since all future recordings feature the full Byrds lineup playing, this one time deal can be forgiven. And I'm even more forgiving in just how amazing this cover still sounds today. The vocal blend of Roger, David Crosby, and Gene Clark sounds absolutely haunting. Roger's lead vocals in particular have a very unique timbre to them.
Instrumentally, it is the jangly 12-string guitar that is on prominent display, (Although session bass player Larry Knechtel contributes some strong basslines as well). Just listening to the song's opening makes me want to go out and buy a 12-string of my own. It certainly inspired many people over the years, most notably Tom Petty.
Final Verdict - When you add up the sum of the parts: A strong music track, wonderful vocals, and the fact that the band practically invented a genre with this song, "Mr. Tambourine Man" is a very well-deserved #1 that belongs in your record collection.
Coming Up Next - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock, I'm not sleepy, and there ain't no place I'm going to -
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