Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

I hope that all fellow jangle enthusiasts and www.fufkin.com site readers enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday and all of you are ready to embrace the joyous spirit that accompanies the forthcoming holiday season. Among the new discs that have given me lots of listening pleasure during the past month is an advance copy of the soon-to-be-released Jamie Hoover/Bill Lloyd collaboration entitled Paparazzi. These two gents have over five decades of combined experience in the indie pop entertainment field, and their full-length disc (to be released on the Paisley Pop label) will make an excellent stocking stuffer for pop music fans. Jamie and Bill both wear their Beatles influences on their shirtsleeves, and it is evident throughout the tracks on this disc. Every song has melodic hooks, terrific vocals and mature power pop arrangements, but standout jangly tunes include "It Coulda' Been Me," "Really Not Alone" and "Show And Tell" (which has some Buddy Holly/Bobby Fuller lineage and compares favorably with Walter Clevenger's recent work). Long may you run, Sir Jamie and Sir Bill! Those unfamiliar with their earlier work should dig into their respective back-catalogs … and should also look forward to Bill Lloyd's highly touted next solo release.

Speaking of collaborations, two European artists who wear their Byrds influences on their shirtsleeves are well on their way toward recording a full-length disc that should be released in 2004. The duo, Horst-Peter Schmidt (of Different Faces) and Graham Allman-Talbot (of GAT), is recording under the Starbyrd moniker and they were kind enough to send me demos of eight tracks. Those of you who love to hear Rickenbacker 12-string guitars jangle, chime and ring are in for quite a treat! Several tracks are new versions of songs that have appeared on their respective earlier releases; Graham sounds a lot like former Records frontman and popster John Wicks on the re-recorded version of "I Want You To Know." Horst-Peter, as usual, sounds like Roger McGuinn's clone on many of the tracks. McGuinn fans will be excited to learn that the pair will record "The Tears," which McGuinn penned and has performed live on numerous occasions … but has never recorded. My friends, this disc will be worth the price of admission simply to hear those Rickenbacker 12-strings (yes, one of them is a McGuinn signature model!) chiming away!

Gone To Heaven - by the Tractor Kings. This band received mention in an earlier column after their last full-length release. The title track, "Gone To Heaven," is as nice a slab o' jangle'n'twang alt-country/pop as you can find these days. Kind of reminds me of the Volebeats and Walter Clevenger. "My Little Cousin" will also appeal to the jangle'n'twang crowd.

Funny that I should mention the Volebeats (a band that I have really dug since I acquired their first CD-EP). Their latest release (on Turquoise Mountain) is entitled Country Favorites. Jeff Oakes excels at ballads, and "Too Much Love" takes him in the same superb direction as Canada's Blue Shadows. "I Had To Tell You" should be gaining the band some airplay, but this ain't a perfect world. It is, however, a perfect enough world to support one excellent release after another by this very under-heralded band!

Catch 33 - by the Wishniaks. I think I first heard several tracks by this band on a cassette compilation during the last Millennium. Finally, their material is available on CD. Quite simply, this is a wonderful disc that is full of mostly short and catchy, jangly and REM-inspired pop tunes. There are hooks galore - from start to finish. What a treat it was to add this to my collection!

Greenhouse: 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition - by Absolute Grey. REM also had a huge influence on this mid-80s indie pop band … and they deserve to be considered in the same league with Let's Active and 28th Day. Once again, the Paisley Pop label has released more vintage tunes from the Absolute Grey archives; this one is a double disc with one CD featuring the eight tracks from Greenhouse and another disc showcasing the band's live recordings. Peter Buck reputedly still has this band's material on vinyl; indie pop fans now have the belated opportunity to jump on Absolute Grey's bandwagon! Jangleholics will dig "More Walnuts," "Saving Face," "Remorse" and "Willow."

Fine Tune - the latest full-length disc by the Phobes. Songs like "From This Moment On," "Has Anybody Seen Jane?" and "My Radio" remind me of the Shambles.

That should certainly whet some appetites!

Songs About Girls - by the Limits. This disc is chock full of 60s garage pop, with a hint of skinny tie pop of the early 80s. "Little Girl," "Just Another Girl," "I'm Not Telling You Now" and "Your Turn To Cry" should definitely appeal to fans of the Flashcubes.

Discount Stars - by Mark Scheer. The guitars sparkle and jangle on "Soft As Cotton," "Time Capsule" and "(You Better Know) Jesus' Name."

Seek out Organica by David Celia and turn the treble setting up on the chiming masterpiece "Don't Keep It All Inside."

In the not-so-jangly category, I would like to give favorable mention to the new disc, White Leather, by the Milwaukee trio the Lovelies. The tunes will appeal to a more rock-oriented than pop-oriented audience, and the band (female lead and harmony vocals) can't escape comparisons with Joan Jett, Heart, Concrete Blonde, Liz Phair and other female-fronted bands. There are elements of pop panache in many of the songs, blending 70s and 80s influences with a contemporary edge.

When "Mr. Tambourine Man" hit the AM radio airwaves in the spring of 1965, I became hooked on the sound of a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, and any group that could emulate the wonderful vocal harmony of Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark and David Crosby. During that eventful year, the Byrds' original five-member lineup released two outstanding albums titled after their two #1 hits - Mr. Tambourine Man and Turn! Turn! Turn! Those albums included timeless jangly tunes like "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better," "Chimes Of Freedom," "Bells Of Rhymney" and "The World Turns All Around Her." The b-side to "Turn! Turn! Turn!" was also one of the Byrds'finest jangly songs - "She Don't Care About Time."

Since then, I have collected music that I often refer to as "Byrdsian" - meaning, it sounds like the Byrds. In this final installment of my Recommendations, I will list Byrds-influenced musical disciples of the 90s and the current decade. The following list is hardly comprehensive, but it provides fufkin website readers with a good launching point for those who are similarly inclined to crank up the treble setting on their stereos and listen to those Rickenbacker 12-string guitars jangle, chime and ring!

NOTE: It is not my intent to fully document the discography of each of the artists mentioned below. Songs and albums cited are those that I believe are most representative of the Byrdsian sound.

The Nineties:

Different Faces - This band's lead singer/12-string guitarist, Horst-Peter Schmidt, is a strong disciple of Roger McGuinn. The band has three excellent albums to its credit - The Story of Jim Crosman, The More Things Change and Signature. "Signature," "Back To The Roots" and "Crazy Ladies" (a Gene Clark composition) are among the most Byrdsian tunes on these three discs.

George Usher - Usher's voice, song construction and guitar patterns are reminiscent of Roger McGuinn. Check out "Don't Be Afraid To Love" on Usher's Miracle School album.

The Wonders - "I Need You (That Thing You Do)" from the That Thing You Do soundtrack album.

The Rembrandts - "I'll Be There For You" (the Friends theme song) - a CD single well worth finding. I'd even say the same for the music video - which depicts Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston both strumming on a Rickenbacker 12-string!

Grant McLennan - Horsebreaker Star (on Beggars Banquet). "Dropping You" and "Girl In A Beret" are Byrdsian all the way.

Mutton Birds - "Giant Friend" Nature CD (Virgin)

Orange Humble Band - Assorted Creams (1998, Half A Cow) the disc that reunited Darryl Mather and Mitch Easter.

Cosmic Rough Riders - Scotland delivers up another Byrds-influenced band that has released four excellent full-length discs, Deliverance, Panorama, Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine and Too Close To See Far, and numerous EPs.

The Lears - The Story So Far (Get Hip Records). A "must have" disc for Byrds fans. The harmonies, song construction and a Rickenbacker 370RM 12-string create a striking Byrdsian sound on nearly every song. Seek out a copy of the Young Savage Florida compilation for the Lears' "Is This Her Day" and "Her Magic Smile."

Gin Blossoms - Songs like "Angels Tonight," "Allison Road" (the 90s offspring of "Little Black Egg") and "Til I Hear It From You" highlighted the jangle of this commercially successful Tempe, Arizona band. When they performed a two-song set at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame opening concert, they chose a Beatles song and a Byrds song - as an homage to the influence of their predecessors. A reunion album and tour are rumored to be in the offing.

Ted Holden - Seek out his solo disc, Killermyway, released in 1995 on the Tiki God label.

Herb Eimerman - I have purchased each of Herb's excellent albums, but the picture of Herb with a fireglow Rickenbacker 12-string on the cover of his first album, From Your Window, was all it took to make me his fan. Byrdsian songs abound on this disc!

Jayhawks - This Minneapolis band is often referred to as Byrds-influenced, and the band's members have even performed with Roger McGuinn. "Pray For Me," from their Tomorrow The Green Grass album, and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," from their Smile album, certainly proves their Byrdsian skills.

Teenage Fanclub - A Scottish band whose layered, dense vocals and a Byrdsian sound are featured on songs like "Ain't That Enough," "Gene Clark," "Take The Long Way Round," "Start Again" and "Speed Of Light."

Velvet Crush - The duo of Ric Menck and Paul Chastain gladly accepts the Byrdsian tag. "The Unlucky One," "Gentle Breeze," "Why Not Your Baby" (an under-appreciated Gene Clark composition) and "Time Wraps Around You" only scratch the surface when it comes to a list of their Byrds-influenced tunes.

Pyramidiacs - "Coming Down" on the Teenage Complications disc (Indiana Records). Sometimes one song says it all!

Bill Lloyd - when Bill Lloyd multi-tracks his vocals and plays his vintage 12-string, he often sounds like the Byrds …or the Beatles, or whoever he wants to sound like! Byrds fans should dig any of his albums, but Set To Pop may be the best one to start with.

The Coal Porters - "I Tell Her All The Time" from the Rebels Without Applause CD, released on the Rubber and Prima Records labels. This is the 90s iteration of Sid Griffin and his quest for Byrds-inspired country-pop-rock.

Blue Rodeo - "Til I Am Myself Again" is the classic Byrds/Buffalo Springfield-influenced tune that launched public interest in this Canadian band. The song is featured on their 1990 Casino CD. Several albums later (Five Days In July), they recorded a terrific tune entitled "Hasn't Hit Me Yet" that borrowed its opening riff from the Byrds' "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better." This band is still going strong, and its musicianship is hard to match in the country-pop-rock artist ranks.

Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey - Rhino Records released a spotty "reunion" album by the former dB bandmates in 1991 - Maverick. The disc's highlight was an angelic version of the McGuinn/Clark tune "Here Without You."

Desert Rose Band - As this Chris Hillman-fronted band started to lose its founding members, the band released a "greatest hits" disc entitled A Dozen Roses. The album included a terrific Byrdsian tune "Could This Be The Day." After playing this song live before a Birchmere audience, Chris Hillman smiled wryly at the audience and asked "What neurotic 60s band did that sound like?"

Retros - This is one of those "criminally unsigned" bands that shines on every pseudo-60s tune that they compose and they nail every cover tune they perform. You will only find them on compilation discs, but I was fortunate enough to receive a CDR of their recordings that includes a killer version of Roger McGuinn's "He Was A Friend Of Mine."

The Kennedys - Husband and wife Pete and Maura Kennedy have combined elements of folk-rock into what they call "coffeehouse pop." On their Life Is Large album, Roger McGuinn joined them in the studio for the title song. Each of their albums has featured at least one tune with Pete Kennedy accompanying the duo on his own 12-string Rickenbacker. Personal favorites include "Wall Of Death" and "Heart Of Darkness."

Pribata Idaho - Sueroine CD (Munster Records). Songs like "Bad Boys Dream" and "Jump The Gun," by Ernesto and pals, prove that Byrdsian pop is alive and well … in Spain!

Roger McGuinn - Back From Rio (Arista 1991). Nearly every song has the "signature" Byrds sound, but "King Of The Hill" features McGuinn and Tom Petty trading lead vocals and Rickenbacker 12-string licks on the same song - making this a tough combination to beat in the Jangle Hall Of Fame. Also seek out the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary tribute concert disc; McGuinn heads up an all-star cast on "My Back Pages."

Matthew Sweet - "I've Been Waiting" from the Girlfriend album. The best Sweet tune ever … period.

Jack & The Beanstalk - "10,000 Sunny Days" Serial CD (Torpedo Records). Joe Algeri and his Aussie bandmates crafted a superb Byrdsian tune on their debut disc.

Fraternal Order Of The All (AKA Andrew Gold) - Greetings From Planet Love CD on J-Bird Records. "Space And Time" says it all! No other single artist could recreate the instrumental blend and vocal harmony of the original Byrds as well as Andrew Gold. No wonder he collaborated with Bill Lloyd in a Nashville side project known as the "Byrtles." When he's not recording his own new material and producing the material of others, Gold is now engaged in a west coast side project known as "Byrds Of A Feather."

Time Lodgers - Find the Time Lodgers import (Sometimes Never on Perfect Pop Records) or the domestic release (Majors And Minors on Rainbow Quartz). Both discs feature 16 jangly gems!

Headlights - A group that is best known to Byrds fans as the band that backed up Roger McGuinn in 1991 when he was touring in support of his Back From Rio album. Steve Connelly is a pretty nifty Rickenbacker 12-string guitarist himself. Find a copy of the band's Roundhouse album and the opening song, "Denial," will convince you that the Byrds were a significant influence on this group.

The Las - "There She Goes"

Chris Wilson & the Sneetches - The self-titled 1993 EP on Marilyn Records featured this Flamin' Groovies alum with pals doing the excellent Byrdsian song "If Wishes Were Horses" and a fine cover of "Goin' Back"

Bill Retoff - Pop Jewelry (Maize Records) "The Colour Of Candy". Even a Hammer 12-string can jangle on!

Rich Arithmetic - Sleep In A Wigwam (Optional Art) "Cambridge" has all the right elements of a Byrdsian tune - including the compressed sound of a 370RM 12-string!

The McGees - "Sleepwalker" Since it can only be found on the Bam Balam Explosion Volume IV compilation disc, you will get the added pleasure of the other 23 tracks.

The New Millennium:

GAT - This talented British artist (Graham Allman-Talbot) has released two great albums - Coloured Blue and Moving On. The latter album includes an excellent version of "My Back Pages" and "Back To The Roots" (a Horst-Peter Schmidt tune originally recorded by Different Faces).

V/A - Full Circle: A Tribute To Gene Clark. Thirty-six songs by 36 artists - a tribute disc that superbly fulfilled its objective of chronicling Gene Clark's 30-year musical career. Almost half of these songs include a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar and display reverence for the original treatment by the Byrds or Gene Clark. Personal favorites among the jangly tracks include "Long Time" by the Retros, "The Byrd That Couldn't Fly" by the Lears, "She Don't Care About Time" by the Grip Weeds, "Here Without You" by the Kennedys, "Boston" by Flamingo, "The World Turns All Around Her" by Bill Lloyd, "She Has A Way" by the Idea, "So You Say You Lost Your Baby" by Roger and Jim, "The Reason Why" by Walter Egan, "Won't Let You Down" by George Usher and "Full Circle" by the Happydeadmen with Joe Algeri. The album has subsequently spawned five regional Gene Clark tribute concerts that have featured numerous contemporary artists who wear their Byrds influences on their sleeves. The Nashville show ended with a packed stage, four Rickenbacker 12-string guitars, and a rousing finale of "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better."

Michael Carpenter - "Chimes Of Freedom" from Carpenter's Songs Of Other People Volume 1 album. Keep an eye on this prolific and talented Australian singer/songwriter/musician. When he straps on his Rickenbacker 12-string, a Byrdsian sound is sure to occur!

Bobby Sutliff - Sutliff continues to record and release some of the finest jangly pop albums. Bitter Fruit , All Sorts and Another Jangly Mess are examples of his recent work. Byrdsian tunes like "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "Warning Bells" highlight these discs.

Jeremy - Pop Rules! and Pop Dreams are just the latest examples of Jeremy Morris' devotion to Byrdsian, jangly pop music.

Woodys - Michael and Dyann Woody are known for Everly Brothers-styled harmonies and country-folk-rock tunes. They outdid themselves on the poignant and chiming "Message From Michael" (based on an open letter to teens written by Michael Clarke when he realized that his alcohol abuse would end his life) on their Teardrops & Diamonds album. Noted guitarist Cam King performs the lead riffs on his Rickenbacker 12-string.

Starbyrd - A collaboration between two jangly guitar enthusiasts, Horst-Peter Schmidt and Graham Allman-Talbot. No releases yet … but Byrds fans in England and Europe should keep an eye out for live appearances by Starbyrd.

Byrds Of A Feather - A stage collaboration between Andrew Gold ("Space And Time"), Jeffrey Foskett (a superb solo artist who toured extensively with the Beach Boys), Randell Kirsch, Stephen Arti, Jimmy Caprio and Pat Robinson (who, as a member of CRY, collaborated with Gene Clark and John York on a number of as-yet unreleased tunes). The band is dedicated to performing the music of the original five-member Byrds lineup; to date, they have played only a limited number of west coast engagements. They promise to perform again in coming months - so check their www.byrdsofafeather.com website for show dates. When Andrew Gold finished his great performance of "She Don't Care About Time" at the Nashville Gene Clark Tribute show, I overheard Bobby Sutliff say "perfect." Enough said! I am envious of any of my California friends who will get to see this band!

Western Electric - Sid Griffin's latest band - which continues his fine tradition of jangle'n'twang country-pop-rock. Sid can still conjure up Byrdsian tunes - like "Memory Captures Time," "Everything" and "Emily In Ginger."

Beachwood Sparks - darlings of the contemporary "Canyon Rock" scene - which has brought L.A. back to the sound of the Byrds, the Buffalo Springfield and the Flying Burrito Brothers. "Something I Don't Recognize" sparkles on their Sub Pop self-titled debut disc.

Hangtown - "Driving In Circles" from the Here For Now album.

Saturnine - "The Wind Is Blowing Like An Outlaw" and Gene Clark's "One In A Hundred" have a strong Byrdsian sound on the band's American Kestrel album.

That brings us up to date in the "Recommendations - Sounds Like The Byrds" category of music. Keep searching out local record stores, local radio stations, local artists and local clubs to find music that emulates the Byrds … and, until we study another genre of pop music, jangle on! If you missed any of the earlier decade summaries, check my previous three columns that are archived on this site.

Until next month … and next year, jangle on!

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