Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
1965
Album Summary
Mr. Tambourine Man is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Byrds and was released on June 21, 1965, by Columbia Records. The album is characterized by the Byrds' signature sound of Jim McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker guitar and the band's complex harmony singing. The material on the album mostly consists of cover versions of folk songs, primarily composed by Bob Dylan, and originals written or co-written by singer Gene Clark. Along with the Dylan-penned single of the same name, Mr. Tambourine Man established the band as an internationally successful act and is widely regarded by critics as representing the first effective American challenge to the chart dominance of the Beatles and other British Invasion bands during the mid-1960s.The album was also influential in popularizing the musical subgenre known as folk rock, by melding intelligent lyrical content with electric guitars and a rock backbeat. The term "folk rock" was first coined by the American music press to describe the Byrds' sound in mid-1965, around the same time that the Mr. Tambourine Man album was released. The band's hybrid of a British Invasion beat, jangly guitar playing, and poetic or socially conscious lyrics influenced a number of acts in the mid-1960s and has also been influential on successive generations of musicians.The album peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top LPs chart and reached number 7 in the United Kingdom. It is the band's most successful album on either chart. The "Mr. Tambourine Man" single was released ahead of the album in April 1965 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. A second single, "All I Really Want to Do", also a Dylan cover, was moderately successful in the U.S., but fared better in the UK, where it reached the top ten.
WikipediaAlways been a bit confused by The Byrds..... do they really deserve reverence for being a band that took Dylan songs and made them janglier?
Day 24 of Albums You Must Hear… The Byrds, an American band, were a short lived, yet extremely popular collective in the mid 60’s. Their album Mr. Tambourine Man was able to shine amongst the British acts that invaded American air waves during this era. I won’t go deep into the history of this band, but they are worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in which they were inducted in 1991. The lyrics are clear and simple, the harmonies are spot on and the satisfying 12 string Rickenbacker guitar exemplifies the sound of the flower child years. Mr. Tambourine man has a lot of Bob Dylan covers, which is a little odd, but perhaps thats why this band was coined as Folk Rock. I love 60’s music, much of which I’m familiar with because of my favorite television show from the 80’s, The Wonder Years. I first heard songs from The Byrds watching that show as a kid. Much of Mr. Tambourine Man’s non-Dylan songs are about adolescent romance, not unlike early music from The Beach Boys and The Beatles. My Favorite song is I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better (When You’re Gone), I mean, who can’t relate at some point to that feeling in their past. The harmony of the vocals is very catchy and very 60’s. The song I least like is All I Really Want To Do, a Dylan cover. It’s about only wanting to be friends with a girl. It’s so damn stupid to me, like, is this a former lover or a girl that has a crush on you? Either way, why write a song and record it for the whole world to hear? Poor girl, dumb song. The title track, Mr. Tambourine has been recorded to death by many artists over the years, but I might like this version the most, while Stevie Wonder’s cover is cool as shit. I am probably safe in assuming this song is about the neighborhood dope man. She Has a Way is a sweet song, again, about adolescent love and wanting to settle down. The majority of kids these days will probably shit on this music for the lack of WAP and electronic drums, but it’s a good album and I enjoyed the majority of it. I appreciate the music of years past and I had fun with Mr. Tambourine Man! Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!
The debut album from The Byrds and it's possibly their best album, but with their solid run from this album to Sweetheart, any of those albums could've taken top honours (not Turn! Turn! Turn! though, that one wasn't so good). It does rely on covers more than most of their other albums but that shouldn't be a detraction to the quality of the songs here.
What a great debut album with an electrifying distinctive original sound mainly due to Roger McGuin's chiming 12 string Rickenbacker. The songwriting is obviously bolstered by four Dylan covers, but they sit nicely alongside the originals and the other covers. It's a mature album with themes like Welsh mining disasters (the majestic 'Bells of Rhymney') and oppression (Dylan's 'Chimes of Freedom'). There's plenty of lovely west coast vocal harmonies but they never sound sappy. Other highlights include the title track, 'All I Really Want To Do' (even better on the mono 45 mix), 'I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better' and the Bo Didley beat on 'Don't Doubt Yourself Babe'. They even make the standard 'We'll Meet Again' fit their jangly sound. The songs all benefit from Terry Melcher's crystalline production. And how cool is the fisheye lense cover art.
Ah, 1965. Everyone wanted to sound like the Beatles and Bob Dylan, and the first song on this album manages to do both. A pleasant album.
Boring but not unpleasant. Was kinda disappointed by the We’ll Meet Again cover but alas. 6
Every song on this album sounds basically the same. There's muddy words, a 60's sounding guitar, and a tambourine. Although the sound is fine, it doesn't really change that much over the course of the album. Favorite track: It's No Use
I was never a fan of the jingle jangle guitar of the title track. I was trying to ignore the beta-cuck energy of be friends with you to give a safe 3 stars. But finishing with we’ll meet again push me from passive annoyance to activate disdain.
There's a bit in the doors film where manzerik says 'bit like the byrds man' and it's not a complement. Jingle jangle boring. 2
WOW, what a fantastic album. Classic 60s sound with song like their cover of Mr. Tambourine Man and All I Really Want to Do, to a heavy song with It's No Use and the downtrodden I knew I'd Want You. This is front to back great.
Now we're talking! Love the Byrds. Love Dylan. This is THE 60s. Eight miles high is a classic too.
I've heard this one a zillion times, and it's a favorite. Chimes Of Freedom is outstanding! The best Dylan cover ever, tho Hendrix's All Along The Watchtower comes close!
Love that 12 string sound, and the songs are so earnest and soulful. Iconic.
This is what to me is the classic Byrds album Belongs in every music lovers collection. Ringing guitars, beautiful harmonies, rich production overall and the songs....wow. The Dylan covers like the title track, Chimes of Freedom and All I Really Want To Do are beautifully rendered and the originals; I'll Feel a Whole Lit Better and Here Without You show a maturity ro their writing that would develop even more on later albums.. favourite track; The Bells of Rhymney. 5 🌟 (note my copy is a Sundazed Vinyl pressing that includes two very good bonus tracks so that's what I'm commenting on and rating.)
This is what to me is the classic Byrds album Belongs in every music lovers collection. Ringing guitars, beautiful harmonies, rich production overall and the songs....wow. The Dylan covers like the title track, Chimes of Freedom and All I Really Want To Do are beautifully rendered and the originals; I'll Feel a Whole Lit Better and Here Without You show a maturity ro their writing that would develop even more on later albums.. favourite track; The Bells of Rhymney. 5 🌟 (note my copy is a Sundazed Vinyl pressing that includes two very good bonus tracks so that's what I'm commenting on and rating.)
This album was great, although sometimes I wished the mixes were a little different (some voices stuck out more than I wanted them to- maybe I'm spoiled by Crosby's perfect harmonies with CSNY?) but that is a very small quibble. It was simultaneously upbeat and mellow, offered plenty of Dylan covers, and was exactly the vibe I wanted last night.
It's been a long time since I listened to this album. It's very enjoyable and holds up well after all this time. I completely forgot about "We'll Meet Again." It's a great cover of a song I always liked.
Love this album and happy that i had further recommendations of 60’s music that had that feel good factor 👍🏻
I loved this album (finally got a good one) and I have wonder how much that dates me.
What a influential album not only at the time but for years afterwards. Jim (Roger) McGuinn's 12 string jangly Rickenbacker sound is iconic and is still being echo today. Though what really stands out for me are 2 of the Gene Clark songs, Here with out you is just so dark and complex. The gem of the album for me I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, it's pop perfection, I just love this song and unlike most of the album which has that 60's era sound (they did invent it) this song sounds almost timeless. Tom Petty also does a great version too, not surprising given how this band influenced him.
This one's a beaut from start to finish. Clean, precise, instrumentation with impeccable vocals and harmonization. Maybe a bit tame for any younger audience but for an old goat like me, it's mana from the gods.
This is a perfect classic 60's album. This guitar sound is so influential it can still be heard in lots of indie rock records to this day. Perfectly crafted songs carried by lush jangly 12 strings guitar and gorgeous harmonies. 9,5/10
It's got a lot of covers, but my God, they're good covers. The absolute balls to open with Mr Tambourine Man and then end with We'll Meet Again with jangly, British invasion styles is incredible. The sheer influence of the album can't be denied, especially in my favourite genres, and it's a great time to boot. Definitely a summer album, maybe smoking a joint in a back garden. 04/03/23
I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better is probably my favorite track on the album. The Byrds might’ve brought more attention to Bob Dylan but I always felt they were piggybacking off him at points. Still a great album
The Byrds are like Crosby, Stills, and Nash before CSN. Their harmonies are great. The sound is so 60s, in a good way. I'm probably partial because this album is right up my alley, so it gets 4 stars. I could understand it receiving 3 stars from others because there are just so many other great albums from this era that sound similar and are a bit more inspired.
I've listened to this album several times over the years, and it is an impressive album, and an even more important one for the folk rock genre. The songs are all good, just kind of have a feel of other bands doing them better....if that makes any sense. still a great album
Very solid folk rock. Normally I'm eager to turn off anything folky as quickly as possible, but I made it all the way through this one without trouble, including the deluxe edition bonus tracks.
Highlight - It's No Use This is the music you hear when someone is nostalgic for the 60's. It's The Wonder Years. The sweeping, melodic guitars, the chorus of vocals, the Tamborine...All of it points to the summer of 1965. This time is gone. We aren't getting it back.
I enjoyed it, lyrics were a bit silly. Their cover of Mr Tambourine Man was great, points for being that bold I guess. 7 for me
Good listen, there were a few tracks in addition to the title one that stuck out like "Here Without You". Strange for an album of mostly covers to be on this list, but it did have a lot to do with popularizing folk music and its own unique sound.
К релизам более чем полувековой давности стоит, конечно, относиться с осторожностью и давать поблажку, опираясь на меняющиеся тенденции и развитие сферы звукозаписи. но мне, если честно, зашло даже по современным меркам. конечно, звучит как всё в 60-х, прослеживается сильное влияние Beach Boys, где-то и битлов, где-то даже психодела вроде Love. Но в целом, если выдернуть этот альбом из контекста — звучит вполне живо. Я, кстати, послушал и моно- и стереоверсию. Вторая выпущена позже, и имеет свои недостатки (например когда гитара и бас разводятся в разные каналы, это вообще ужас на самом деле, не хватает только барабаны исключительно в одно ухо вывести), но в целом слушается пободрее и поразнообразнее. песни простенькие, но душевные, можно под них дунуть плюху или, например, присунуть сисястой бабе, экспириенс не испортится. Минусом, конечно, является безобразно большое количество каверов (пол альбома), а личные песни бэнда Бурдс звучат послабже перепевок, но на саму группу мне похуй, поэтому пусть будет. 4/5 всем rock-n-roll, love и piss 🤘
Canciones muy parecidas, pero si una es buena, casi todas son buenasas
Good listen, bunch of songs I recognised, Is we'll meet again Sinatra? Sounds like a positive funeral song
Vraiment bon album de folk rock . 4.5 a reecoter, plusieurs chabsons de dylab revisites.
Un dels grans álbums de pop lluminós dels primers temps del pop. Les excel.lents versions de Dylan, les composicions de McGuinn i Gene Clark, el treball vocal de David Crosby... Una de les bandes més interessant dels 60, i una de les millors estrenes discogràfiques de la década
Great album. Captures the folk to rock sound that the Byrds and the 60’s are known for. It lets you appreciate the leveling and complexity of what they were trying to do and did so successfully.
This is definitely on the better end of 1969s pop-rock-folk. I enjoyed the whole thing except the truly bizarre Vera Lynn cover in a mock English accent. Half the album is Dylan covers, and tbh you'd be hard pushed to find a better version of 'All I Really Want to Do'. Nice dreamy but clean and catchy vibe to most of this. I'll push the boat out with 4*
Who knew Mr Tambourine Man was a cover. Decent tunes, not quite as good edgy and interesting as Illinois, but it’s up there.
Fabulous album so far, I've enjoyed every song. The harmonies are lovely and the 60s jangly guitar always sounds special.
Im pretty sure i did this one but forgot to leave feedback. 3-4 range IIRC.
What a massive album in terms of what it did not only for The Byrds, but Bob Dylan himself and folk rock in general. Of course, if you made a list of the top 5 songs on this album, the four Dylan tracks would all appear. I think we give Gene Clark a bit too much credit as a songwriter. Jingle jangle. Best track: Mr. Tambourine Man
3.5/5. I liked this. It reminded me a little of the early Beatles, but a little folky.
Jingle Jangle. I prefer their version of Mr. Tambourine Man over Dylan's, but I've always been a sucker for harmonies. This album influenced seemingly thousands of bands and artists, ironically none more so than Dylan himself. Dylan went electric soon after, and I have to think hearing the Byrds take of his song (the first Dylan penned song to reach Number 1) had a lot to do with that.
The genesis of jangle guitars that has influenced, directly or otherwise, basically every single indie band I love.
-Parts of "All I Really Want To Do" sounds like "Mary Anne With The Shaky Hands" -Cool bass in my left ear on "It's No Use" -Woukd probably be cooler if I knew more Bob Dylan -Generally nice folk rock, but nothing really amazing -The Byrd's aren't real
What’s there not to like? Simple progressions and melodies, short run time, easy tempos. Easy to love and enjoy!
If I close my eyes while listening to this, it sort of transports me to feeling like I'm in a period piece movie about the mid 60s. Seems to perfectly capture the spirit of its time in America.
We got this and Fifth Dimension within the same week and it’s interesting to see how their sound shifted in Just a year (Not uncommon with the Beatles). I might give the edge to fifth dimension even though this has more singles because of the originality.. Lots of Beatles esque or Dylan esque vibes here. (Especially Dylan seeing as how half the album are covers) Never a bad thing. Fave tracks: “mr tambourine man” “the bells of Rhymney” “We’ll Meet Again” “Spanish Harlem Incident”
Probably the best songwriters around in the mid 60's, with a natural highlight being their harmonized vocals. Their instrumentation is compelling too, with varied and complex playstyles across all instruments. Even if I wasn't 100% in love with the full album, I can't not respect how good these guys are.
Very fun and enjoyable album. Beautiful jangly guitar. Closer to a 3.5, as it wanes a bit in the back half.