On September 14, 1970, The Byrds published what would be their last great album: "Untitled", with only one of its founding members: Roger McGuinn. A double album that not only reflected the fruit of the recording sessions in the studio, but also of their recent tour.An album that left from the aborted project of "Gene Tryp" to that of "Phoenix" and a reading error left it without title.
The version that I will bring you, will be a double CD with an alternative and reconstructed version of the live disc, plus the studio record "Phoenix", with unknow tracks in real stereo.
Ok!.., Here it is.
How “Gene Trip”, Roger´s project, it did not work; at the beginning of 1970, the producer Terry Melcher said to McGuinn that the band should release a double album, featuring an LP of concert recordings and other with new material from studio, which would retail for the same price as a regular single album. Something that had become fashionable, as “Cream” had done in 1968.
The first record was recorded in two concerts in New York City at the Colden Center Auditorium, Queens College. on Saturday, Feb.28 1970 and other the next day March 1 at Felt Forum. The studio lp was recorded at Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA. between May 26 and June 11.1970. These studio tracks mostly consisted of newly material written and composed by band leader Roger McGuinn and Broadway theatre director Jacques Levy for a planned country rock musical under the title of “Gene Tryp”. Presumably of the twenty-six songs that were written for the musical, four appeared in the album's final running order: “Lover Of The Bayou” (live version); “Chesnut Mare”; “All The Things”; and “Just a Season”. Five in this reconstruction: "Kathleen's Song”.
The original title from this new work was “Phoenix” to express the artistic rebirth of the band, after John Taylor will quit “The Byrds” late 1969. Moment in which Roger McGuinn would rethink whether or not to dissolve the group definitively and start his solo career; but when the producer Terry Melcher had to submit paperwork to the record company, put 'Untitled', and due to a misunderstanding at the pressing plant, “Untitled” became the album's official title.Bit.ly/70Bpx5 That's why we should call it actually “Phoenix” because the original title was never changed. I think that should have been changed in later editions or have not used that cover. Anyway.., it doesn´t matter. This reconstruction follow the original concept. First disc: live outtakes placed in the same order as were played in concert.
Side One: (In concert). (19:34)
1.You Ain´t Going Nowhere. (2:55) (*)
2.Old Blue. (3:24) (*)
3.My Back Pages. (2:41) (*)
4.Take A Whiff On Me. (2:38) (+)
5.The Ballad Of Easy Rider. (2:48) (*)
6.This Wheel´s On Fire. (5:05) (`)
Side Two: (In Concert). (19:00)
1.Jesus Is Just Alright. (3:11) (+)
2.Eight Miles High / Tag. (15:49) (`)
(`)Live Colden Center Auditorium, Queens College, N.Y.C Feb.28.1970
(*) live at Felt Forum. N.Y.C March 1.1970.
(+) live Fillmore East. N.Y.C. Sept.23.1970.
Side Three: (Studio recordings). (19:10)
1.Amazing Grace. (0:58)
2.Well Come Back Home / White's Lightning (I & II). (7:54) (Unreleased version)
3.Chestnut Mare. (6:22) (Unreleased - Full length version).
4.Truck Stop Girl. (3:54) (Unreleased version)
Side Four:: (Studio recordings). (19:06)
1.All The Things. (4:58) (Alternate version)
2.Kathleen's Song. (2:37) (Alternate version #1)
3.Lover Of The Bayou. (5:14) (Alternate studio version)
4.Just A Season. (2:43) (Unreleased edit version)
5.Willin´. (3:32) (Alternate studio version)
Side C & D from Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA
(May 26 - June 11.1970)
The second, studio recordings; presented here following an alternative order that was finally rejected for the album. “Amazing Grace” it was a link track between the end of side B and the start of Side C. this song it was used to close the concerts.
Next: “White´s Lightning”, It was a “Jam” by Roger McGuinn and Clarence White, of something more than 15 minutes, it was edited to 5 minutes as alternative ending or “coda” of “Welcome Back Home”. After be rejected that possibility, “White's Lightning” was edited again in two parts; later issued on “The Byrds box set” and “(Untitled)/(Unissued)”, Here is the unreleased alternative version from this song. As unpublished is also the two that follows: “Chestnut Mare” & “Truck Stop Girl” unedited. The last side brings more alternate version, some known, except “Just a Seaon”, edited to be included in the first single.
Finally, the cover it´s an alternate photo, later used on cassette and eight track tapes from “untitled”. Backcover: from the single “Chesnut Mare” “Just a Season".
Ok, that´s all. I hope you like it and enjoy it.