Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

Loved this one. I never knew the Byrds expanded from psychedelic stuff. It's a bit brighter than other country of that era, and I can definitely see how this sound influenced pop- and rock- country in later decades.

I am listening to a 1997 CD version with these bonus tracks: 12. "You Got a Reputation" Tim Hardin 3:08 13. "Lazy Days" Gram Parsons 3:26 14. "Pretty Polly" trad, arr. Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman 2:53 15. "The Christian Life" (Rehearsal – Take #11) Charles Louvin, Ira Louvin 2:55 16. "Life in Prison" (Rehearsal – Take #11) Merle Haggard, Jelly Sanders 2:59 17. "You're Still on My Mind" (Rehearsal – Take #43) Luke McDaniel 2:29 18. "One Hundred Years from Now" (Rehearsal – Take #2) Gram Parsons 3:20 19. "All I Have Are Memories" (Instrumental) I've listened to this album several times over the years. Always loved it. Some of the reviews sound like those who would've hated Dylan for going to rock from folk. Open your minds, folks. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Really dig this album. Had me humming along the whole time. Love hickory wind.

Beautiful and perfect. Super concise too. Gram Parsons gone too soon

Hard to belive this isn't a Best Of collection

Favorite Track: You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

I had no clue The Byrds went country. But man did they do it well! I love that old country sound. The vocals were great, this was an easy listen,

Really pleasant country music.

Love this album. It’s the foundation of so much music that I love

Love this album. This album has become something an indicator of an alt-country lifestyle choice, but it really is a beautiful record every time.

Was going to give this a 4 but this is like the godfather a bunch of the jamgrass stuff that I love (yonder mountain, greensky)

Massive leap towards country rock in one record. Gram Parsons’ impact is inescapable. For those like me who love “the Byrds”, this is not them. Go backwards to the glory of their first five records.

Between this and Flying Burrito Brothers, grateful to this project for introducing me to more Gram Parsons. I was only familiar with him previously due to covers done by Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, etc. It's fun recognizing the influence on other artists - One Hundred Years from Now could almost be a Jayhawks song.

I have history with this one. I’m a Gram Parsons guy, hook line and sinker. Stayed at the Joshua Tree Inn, followed the albums, devotee through and through. This is the one that busted it all wide open for me. By happenstance, not plan, the Byrds brought musical styles tighter and caught some lightning in a bottle. The psychedelia of ‘68 LA, trust fund hipster culture of Parsons, and an unbelievable lineup of country/bluegrass pickers in Nashville. For all the firsts and mythology of Opry scorn and genre big bangs this one really does give something clean. It’s a listen for the headphones. Musicianship is second to none, lyrics and themes are pure Americans and the vocals are accessible. Young men pining for what is real (or at least what they want real to be for someone, somewhere if not for them). This one does it for me!

Absolutely love this album, such a great mix of folk, country, and rock. Best thing the Byrds ever did

Really surprising how much I liked that one. Just a solid album from front to back. I'm surprised that this is one of the first examples of this sound, so I can excuse the lack of original songs since they are doing something different with them anyways. Rating: 4.7

Peak Gram Parsons and a second peak for the Byrds

my favorite country record i've ever heard. it immediately made me think of my favorite band pinegrove & i can hear they drink so much of their influences from this... just a joy to listen to. will be returning to it no doubt!

2nd Byrds album in three days. Definitely in the minority here. Loved this. Solid country gold. Much better than 5th Dimension.

Was excited to get this and I loved revisiting it.

Man, I do not understand the lack of love for this album on here. Right at the heart, and near the start, of the alt country.

i was confused bc this is not the sound that i thought The Byrds had, but wikipedia explained it for me. interesting to think that the “long-haired hippies attempting to subvert country music” might have launched the genre of alt-country/americana

Surprise hit. Yeehaw

Reverent without being derivative. Pretty neat.

uristen de gyönyörű ez

This is the Byrds’ 6th album, and it’s the furthest I’ve gone into their discography so far. Honestly, this album feels like a completely different band. The Byrds are usually known for blending psychedelic rock and folk, but this album is straight-up traditional country. Back then, it might have been called country rock, but by today’s standards, it sounds more like classic country than most modern country music. I’ve listened to a lot of their solo work, so I knew they had this in them, but this one still felt like a big leap. That being said, it’s a really good album, and I enjoyed it a lot. Just don’t go into it expecting it to sound like their earlier albums.

BEST ALBUM EVER. Eeek! >.<

The Byrds with the addition of Gram Parsons was the perfect alchemy for this country rock classic. Parsons was one of the pioneers of country rock and sadly, through mis-adventure, left us way too soon. I love everything about this album and though Parsons had parted ways with the Byrds by the time this album was released I'm so thankful to have discovered him through this recording so I could explore his music even further. This is more a Gram Parsons album than it is the Byrds but nonetheless it's an important album and well deserves to be on this list.

Wantlist

I have never really paid much mind to The Byrds. I am not sure if I even realized that Gram Parsons was in the band for a minute. But this is a great album, and just feels like a bona fide classic. Just country-rock bliss.

Gram Parsons > David Crosby ...and it ain't even close

This is an all time great. The start of country rock. This album is always a great listen.

Just pure Americana goodness. Nothing bad to say about it.

great lp

Never knew all the history of folk, country, and rock & roll that was wrapped up in the making of this band and record. Loved it.

Cool, but I'd rather just listen to Guthrie, Dylan, and Parsons.

The Byrds really should have been called the Chameleons given how many times they changed their sound. Between the Gene Clark folk pop era, the David Crosby psychedelic era, and this the Gram Parsons country rock era (and then whatever miscellaneous came after that), they really did not fear change. Gram Parsons was the kind of lightening-in-a-bottle talent that lived a short life but made anything he touched into gold. This album, along with his solo albums and time with the Flying Burrito Brothers, are all nearly flawless. He ushered in the country rock genre, making a beautiful marriage between tragic country storytelling and the sweetness of steel guitar. The album sounds so cohesive, you wouldn’t know that it’s such a mix of borrowed songs and covers with only two Parsons-penned originals. Excellent.

The music of the The Byrds gets a big boost from the addition of Gram Parsons to the band. Great country rock!

Five easy stars.

Great album. Maybe I should listen to more country music because this was so fun to listen to, every song was enjoyable

It's interesting to me what time does to an album, how something that was audacious in how it bucked convention when it was made, can be viewed by some now as utterly conventional. If this album doesn't quite land with everyone here, no matter. Where it did land was substantial, and these songs can be heard in the bones of a lot of music that came after it, both in mainstream country and in roots/alt/outlaw/Americana country genres. That's quite a feat considering that the Byrds were considered longhaired hipster interlopers when they attempted to bring this sound to Nashville. It really is a thing of loveliness though. Every song here is a gem, no filler. The songs are warm and engaging, with gorgeous guitar work, earnestly expressive vocals, and an off-kilter sweetness and charm that's hard not to enjoy. I love this more every time I listen to it. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, You're Still on My Mind, Nothing Was Delivered, You Don't Miss Your Water, Life in Prison, One Hundred Years from Now, The Christian Life, Hickory Wind, I Am a Pilgrim, Pretty Boy Floyd, Blue Canadian Rockies

Gram parsons. Massive country fan. Would have made it to Nashville as royalty had he lived despite his difficult qualities as a human being and the poor reception at the Ryman. Elvis didn’t go down well either and now the Nashville country music museum has one of his limos We forget sometimes just how good the byrds could be. Usher produces this album well and while most of the original byrds have moved on (David Crosby being famously replaced by a horses bottom on one cover) this is a pretty fine lineup. The great John Hartford on fiddle banjo and mandolin is a highlight. This is a great album. Perhaps the best the Byrds did. 4.5 stars.

Once upon a time, I would have hated this. Ugh; country music! But Gram Parsons was my entry point to understanding country, and I fell in love with his solo albums. I had never gone back to listen to this album, even though it is highly critically rated. And now I'm wondering why did I deny myself the pleasure of this absolute classic? I love the songs, I love the performances. I don't even mind the songs that McGuinn re-recorded the lead vocals on (I actually think their voices are pretty similar). The chutzpah of Parsons to come in as a 22-year-old piano player (that didn't last long) and essentially take over an established and highly successful band, change their musical direction, help write and record a genre-establishing classic, and then light out to do his own thing. Amazing! Quite a talent, if an unreliable human being.

Excellent honky tonk album from a band I thought was 60's Brit pop. Need to revisit often!

Absolute classic and best countryrock album ever, a notch above earlier 1001 albums from Flying Burrito Brothers / Gram Parsons: more variety in the songs / song-writing, better vocal harmonies, Roger McGuinn has the better voice etc.

love the byrds...the harmonies ..Roger McGuin's Rickenbacker 12? hell yeah

Gram Parsons really pushed the Byrds fully into country resulting in the first notable country rock album. The dominance of Parsons vision, to the detriment of Roger McGuinn's vision of a double album exploring the musical heritage of America, caused a rift between him and the band which led to his departure before the album was released. The finished album is stunning from the fantastic covers, to the songwriting, and to the brilliance of the session musicians. This album accomplished what Parsons set out to and remains and essential country record.

Glorious. 5 stars.

Great album. Love the mix of country, bluegrass, folk and rock.

this album was more than i expected. i listened three times. i really enjoyed the dark themes without the dark instrumentals. HONKY TONK!!!!!

Outstanding. Very enjoyable.

Always a good listen

Cowboy country. Fun.

I LOVED this.

Loved it

Right as I was pining for the old feel of Austin & San Antonio country, this album pops up. I'm impressed with this Californian band, and it seems Gram Parsons had a lot to do with the sound on this album. When I think of country rock, I usually think of The Rolling Stones, but I'm stunned at how good this is. I love classic country & country-rock, so I'm adding this to my favorites. 4.5 stars

Ahh I remember my first rodeo sweetheart. Debra was a 33 stone monster, who ate 13 portions of fish finger sandwiches every day. She was airlifted into the rodeo by a team of highly skilled drones and four contestants from World's Stongest Man on stilts. I couldn't take my eyes off her breathtaking beauty. Literally breathtaking for her, as she struggled to breathe, poor love. She was plonked down on the row in front of me and I could smell her body odour as she panted and wheezed, wondering where the fuck she was. It was love at first sight. I climbed on her back and yelled with delight. She barely noticed, as she was suffering a gigantic heart attack at the time. She died and I was left devastated.

Släpigt och suveränt.

Really good. This album ushered in the country rock genre.

One of my favorite albums of all time!!

I mean. Historical significance aside, every song is a banger. The Dylan songs are the best. Cosmic American music.

Maybe not the first country-rock album, but the one that inspired countless bands and artists. Just a gorgeous album.

Clouds so swift, rain won't lift Gate won't close, railing's froze Get your mind off wintertime You ain't goin' nowhere - Bob Dylan

Standouts - The Christian Life, You Don't Miss Your Water I liked this album a lot, the folky/country sound was really nice and the vocals were pretty classic

Was great back then and still great

A real delight! Great country music.

I was already familiar with this album prior to listening. This is a country rock album which definitely leans more country than rock. The album is notable for pioneering the blend of rock and country, and it would influence a lot of what came after it. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere is a great song, easily the best on the album. I would listen again, but I have to be in the mood to listen to this album.

Country rock sort of starts at this album!!

Either you're at the rodeo or you ain't

A classic of the country rock genre. The Byrds were well established and successful by 1968, but had been through several changes of personnel and style. Gram Parsons is in now and the sound has taken in a lot more country influences. I've got the Legacy Edition here to listen to so that'll keep me busy for a couple of hours.

Love this. One of the first country rock albums. Gram Parsons is amazing.

I enjoyed this more than I probably should.

It's not something I'd ever listen to outside of this, but it very much seems like some really good, old school, sad guy country. I can see the appeal, and it was a solid listen

The Byrds hard-right from psychedelic to country is pretty great. I know Gram was an asshole, but he worked his magic with the Byrds here, and the Dylan covers, Hickory Wind, the Louvin Brothers cover - exhausted, sad, beautiful, old, cosmically new.

Gram Parsons’ voice is sweet, befitting the album title, and the arrangements are lovely. Their fusion of folk, country, and rock just worked, and it spawned so much great music to come.

Thoughts before listening: Graham Parsons era Byrds album that essentially was the blueprint for the alt-country genre. Review: So I have always found this album to be more rock n roll hippies playing country music than some sort of mashup of the 2 genres. Perhaps there are some light psychedelic elements sprinkled throughout, but ultimately this is a country album. Where I think the mythos around this album fails a bit is that the Byrds were always a folk rock band, so it wasn't a huge leap to add in some pedal steel and fiddle to countrify their sound. What hasn't changed is that the band is still at their best when they're interpreting other people's songs, especially Bob Dylan, with "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" being the best song here. Overall I like this album, but I personally feel that the country rock sound would be perfected over the coming years with artists like the Grateful Dead and Neil Young perfecting the sound. 4-stars

You Ain't Goin' Nowhere Hickory Wind

I really liked this. I don’t know if I’m just getting less bothered by the country sound or what, but I dug it.

2026.05.22

Would you like to manifest having a ranch in the middle of nowhere? You should play this to make it happen.

20% meh 80% incredible. Used to cover pilgram.

Yeehaw! Really loved the first track, and whilst I didn’t necessarily relate to a lot of the lyrics on the other tracks (mostly the Christianity one), this was pretty much the perfect album to listen to whilst parked up in the van on a dirt track in the middle of nowhere 4

I didn’t know anything on this album previously. I liked it!

All time cover for sure.

A solid album with consistent quality and twang. Although I have listened to and enjoyed their hits, it was good to hear that The Byrds were consistent with their quality.

This is nearly something I’ve been looking for: country with the bad parts removed. I love the traditional instrumental styles in country but hate the usual affected vocal style. A lot of the tropes of lyrics can get kind of old, too. On that scale I rate this a 3, maybe 3.5. But for having the guts to take a hard turn from pop rock to this, in ‘68 no less, I have to rate it to a 1001 4.

I really like this album. It's great country music and solid as a rock album. It's definitely an influential album and is good, I just wish there were more original songs.

I was already a fan of this album. A few years since I'd listened to it straight through. First listen, I was honestly a little disappointed, feeling like I'd rather listen to the original versions of the covers ("Life in Prison" especially, which fails to find a purpose when Merle Haggard's voice and his band's backing is just so much better). Hickory Wind still hits, though. Second listen, turned the volume up and my appreciation rose again. Still have the sense that some of the originals might be superior, but this really is great stuff all through. It's a great selection of songs, for sure. 4.5/5. Definitely belongs on the list. (And the list ought to also consider GP's previous country-rock album with the International Submarine Band, which to my ear is a little more rock and a little more fun.)

I’d agree with anyone who says the Byrds are over represented on this list, but this country rock gem is the one I’d go to bat for. It only loses a star for whatever slack-jawed yokel voice McGuinn is doing on The Christian Life - was he worried that if he sang it straight, people might think he meant it?

I love the Byrds. I have never heard most of these songs. Very interesting.

A real country twang to this - we like The Byrds a lot

This is a good Country music album. It is a good selection if you are a real country music fan. Guitar and lyrics are typical country style. A good selection if you wanna listen to very pure country style.

First off: fuck all y’all haters. Countless reviews saying “country sucks!” Yes - it does NOW, it didn’t THEN. This was a risky left turn for the Byrds, who dove deep into experimental music after “Eight Miles High”, with extremely mixed results. The influence of Gram Parsons led to this recording of country-pop that features some classic songs. And sounds great! For a deep dive (really, really deep) on this album, find Andrew Hickey’s episode about it and much surrounding ephemera on his podcast “A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs”. Part 1 of episode 172 is transcribed here: https://500songs.com/podcast/song-172-hickory-wind-by-the-byrds-part-one-ushering-in-a-new-dimension/

Very nice country album, it has all the staples of the genre, and done very well.

This one carries a lot of historical weight, and you can hear why. It’s one of the records that really opened the door between rock and country, and a lot of the Americana and alt-country music I’ve spent years playing traces back here in some way. The playing is tight and tasteful throughout—great pedal steel, solid picking, and a band that clearly understands the feel of the music they’re trying to make. Gram Parsons’ influence is obvious, and the whole record has that early blueprint of what later became the Uncle Tupelo / Son Volt / Wilco lane. That said, listening to it now, some of it feels more important than it feels powerful. The songs are good, but the arrangements and dynamics can feel a bit one-dimensional compared to the artists this record inspired. When I hear these tunes I can’t help imagining what a band with a bigger sonic palette might do with them. So while I respect the record a lot—and I’m glad to know it in context—it doesn’t hit me emotionally the way some of its musical descendants do. Rating: 4/5 — historically important, well played, and foundational to a whole genre, even if it doesn’t quite reach the emotional punch of the best Americana records that followed.

You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

Never listened to this album before, but into it!

Folk country byrds seem to loveee Jesus yippe ki-yay mfer

yee haw

More like 3.75. Always liked The Byrds but don't know too many full albums. Really enjoyed this album, didn't expect it to be so Country influenced. Lapsteel is great. Will definitely revisit.

The Byrds are country? Solid album and an enjoyable listen!

As a Gram Parsons fan I like this album, it’s essentially a precursor to his work with The Flying Burritto Brother and solo output. The covers are good and as far as late 60’s Country Rock goes you can’t go wrong with SHOFR. It’s not something I’ll listen to all that regular but whenever I do it hits a spot. 3.7

I really like this and it's so clearly influential. Not wall to wall bangers but it's a solid listen.

Sweetheart of the rodeo felt like it should be playing on an old school country radio station, I can imagine my grandparents enjoying it, not in a bad way at all, I thought it was a warm and earnest album. Even though this is quite different from other Byrds albums, I didn’t feel like they were parodying country, it felt like authentic Americana. Knowing how early this was in terms of country/rock crossovers did make me appreciate it more, however it leans heavy on the country side, throughout the album you can hear loads of pedal steel and honky tonk style rhythms, some of the guitar fills were reminiscent of the fiddle. Production was clean cut without much experimental sound, tracks were very consistent with each other and felt well balanced, I thought maybe at times they did sound a bit samey but as do many albums. I thought the vocals were pretty tame and had an almost polite quality to them, they did suit the album but I do generally prefer a bit more of a grittiness/edge. Lyrics were pretty classic country thematically heartbreak, faith etc. The gospel influenced songs stood out to me, partly because I couldn’t tell at first whether they were meant to be reverent or slightly tongue in cheek. To me they did feel somewhat separate from the more secular heartbreak and wandering themes elsewhere on the album. I enjoyed this album more than I expected to, it does feel a bit dated listening to it in 2026 but I kind of like that.

Important but dang enjoyable, too. There are so many strong songs—“Hickory Wind,” among them—here. The Byrds helped, of course, get us to alt-country and Americana. I’m grateful.

Absolutely stunning, and while this is a little out of my zone, I'm so happy I get to listen to more country music through this project.

not really a mark against it but just immediately sort of stopped paying attention to this. it wasn't like unengaging or anything but just immediately became so comfortable that i hardly checked what song i was on or anything. look forward to spending more time with it! really good!

This feels like a different band. To be fair, three members were left by the end of the last album and the addition of Gram Parsons only took them further into the Nashville country twang hinted at on earlier records. Yet the change in direction works. The things I love about this band are still there, talents are just applied to different sounds to create a cohesive and interesting country rock album that is a delight to listen to.

Fascinating country album. Very much in the style of classic country, although you can hear some 70s country-rock coming out of it. There were several good tracks; You Ain't Goin Nowhere and pretty Boy Floyd were probably my tops (if you don't count Pretty Polly, which was from the extended re-release of the album).

To me, this is one of those records which definitely belong on this list just based on their legacy but aren't musically anything that mind-blowing. Don't get me wrong, it's a great record and I very much enjoyed it, but at least in my opinion it doesn't quite hold up to other "classic" country rock albums which came afterwards (e.g. Neil Young's early solo work, like 'After The Gold Rush', just to name one example). It's good, but it isn't as envelope-pushing and artistically intriguing as the music that came in its wake. Especially compared to other works by The Byrds and Gram Parsons, this feels very conventional from an artistic point of view. Being conventional isn't bad, though, and for what it's worth, I still think this is a very good album and deserving of its place on this list. 4/5

A bold step for a very successful band that lost fans, but gained critical acclaim. I couldn’t listen to this album for years but gained appreciation for what they achieved

Day761 - i love this country rock genre and im grateful to gram parsons and the byrds. lazy days is a good one and you ain’t goin nowhere is one i first heard from the counting crows

OK, so I am not sure how to categorize this music as Dylanesq folk rock and or early country rock. It is a fun album to listen to. The Byrds definitely had harmonies.

this was very jaunty

3.5 stars. Steel guitar for days. It's country but it's folk. Almost parody of country, but not quite. They just do country really well. Nearly every track is a cover.

I'm so happy to find there's a Byrds album I don't hate. I don't know how it made a list of important albums compared to the massive influence of their earlier stuff, but so glad to hear their country side bust out.

Can't really stomach The Byrds normally, but add some Gram Parsons, and I'm in. The country takes the edge off of the boomer psych rock shtick that always grates on me, makes them sound like a different band.

gram Parsons you silly trust fund son of a bitch, you were what the byrds had been missing, apparently

4/5

Good vibes!

some of us enjoy some classic country-folk, actually

This challenge has made me realise I do like the sound of country music, which isn’t very popular where I’m from. Some of the albums on here I have found sound nice but get repetitive fast. This one held my attention a lot better. On research I realise a lot of this is covers, but I’m not sure if that should affect my rating. Speaking of covers, I think this album has a great one and I like the title too.

- i love the folk elements - very catchy

Fan of the twang, less so of the religious undertones. 10/10 album cover

Good country rock

C&W is not one of my usual favorites but the balanced musicianship is wonderful.

The Byrds really went through some changes to end up as a country band in 1968. And, for my money, as country as any “real” country band going at the time. I’ve heard of this album all my life, but never really listened to it. In fact, when you mention the Byrds to me, I think of a folk group, which they were in 1964, or as a psychedelic rock, which they were in 1966. It really sounds like The Byrds didn’t really know who they were, and in a way, they didn’t. They just wanted to play everything all at once, which never works, except that for the Buyrds, it all worked. As a folk group, they had hits with Turn, Turn, Turn, and Mr. Tambourine Man. As a psychedelic rock band, they had a hit with Eight Miles High. And then they went country. Except they really weren’t going country at all, the plan was to record an album with songs showing the complete history of American pop music, from jazz, blues, country and everything. However, a fellow named Gram Parsons joined the band, changed the theme of the album to all country, helped write and record the album, and then quit the band to hang out with Mick and Keith and ended up living in Keith's house. It’s a long story, and you can look it up on Wikipedia, but Sweetheart of the Radio is a great country album and went on to inspire what would be known today as country rock. While the album got pretty good reviews, it kind of threw people. This was already a very successful rock band going in a completely new direction, which cost them a lot of their rock and pop fans. Like many great or groundbreaking albums, the album only became more successful and recognized as a masterpiece as time passed. The album starts out with a song I’ve heard many times, but didn’t realize was the Byrds, a song called You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere, which meant nothing to me until I heard the opening chords and the chorus: ​​Ooh-wee, ride me high Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come Oh-ho, are we gonna fly Down in the easy chair? This was the first single and probably the most well-known song off the album. The second single was I Am a Pilgrim, which you may have heard because it’s an old hymn. Musically, the album feels like a group of dudes sitting on the porch just playing, but the album is filled with some of the best country session players at the time, many with connections to bluegrass, which, being a Kentuckian, endears me more to the album. The music is tight without sounding like it. I think if this album were put out today, the Byrds would get the same result, no country radio play. They’d have to put an electronic drum in a song or rap a few lines….But, as usual, I’m an old man and yelling at clouds. This album is both important and great, which I haven’t been able to say for most of these albums on the 1,001 list. Be sure to look this album up, I think, especially if you’re a fan of country music from back in the day, you’ll receive a blessing to wash these Yankee carpetbaggers of today out of your ears.

This is a foundational text of alt-country, but I don't think I've ever listened to it, and I definitely didn't know the story behind it. (Gram Parsons sounds like he was a lot.) I'm a sucker for this kind of thing, and I also appreciate a good artistic left turn, especially when it's so unexpected and counterintuitive. This doesn't all hit—"I Am a Pilgrim" and especially "The Christian Life" are kinda sloggy—but it's enjoyable overall, and "One Hundred Years From Now" and "Nothing Was Delivered" are especially great. This is the rare album that I willingly listened to the expanded-edition tracks (minus the rehearsals).

There was a time in my early 20s where I felt it imperative to know and love everything with which Gram Parsons was associated. Which didn't really work out. But upon relisten to this, it's great. The Byrds are such an interesting and amorphous band. Not sure this is something I'd go back to over and over again, but I do love me some country rock and appreciate this seminal album on its own and for its contribution to the genre. Interesting coverage of this and Nashville's response in the Ken Burns documentary on Country Music.

Surprisingly good.

How sweet -- I love this sound.

some of you just don’t get it

Great songs, great harmonies, love the sound of the lap steel (and/or B-bender) and the marriage of rock and honky tonk country. Feels like the fore-runner to a lot of “alt-country” and I am a Gram Parsons fan, I’d give it a 5 if I listened more.

More country than I typically listen to, and even kind of honky-tonk, but I actually really liked it; The Byrds' sound works really well with this genre.

Right up my alley

nice

Hieno läpileikkaus amerikkailaisen musiikin historiasta. 4/5

Graham Parsons turns the Byrds full country and pioneers country rock in the process. The Byrds are definitely over represented on the list, and this is not their best album, but I believe the spot here is merited for essentially inventing a genre.

This album is getting a resurgence after being rated as one of The Byrds worst is now a favorite. It is for me and that's all thanks to Gram Parsons and his push to take the band into Country Rock - the experiment failed at the time but this album and Parsons' legacy are now cemented as Rock classic. 4.5/5

It was a great country album

8.5/10

This is when I realized the Byrds weren't just the world's best Dylan/the Bible cover band, but were also the world's best turn of the century bluegrass cover band.

I love this album.

Great album!

Reading through the reviews for this album make me sad. 5 stars to every whiny Radiohead album that comes along. Heaps of praise for every Brit (Shit) Pop artist featured on this list. But, all anyone can muster for this classic is "Yee haw!" and a one star review!? 5 stars just to skew this rating a bit higher (truthfully deserves a 4, tho)

Predecessor to many a great album, shame Parsons and McGuinn only stayed together for this album

The Byrds Sweetheart of the Rode is fantastic…this is where Uncle Tupelo, Whiskey Town, Drive By Truckers, and all of their offshoots are from!

This is the Byrds’ 6th album, and it’s the furthest I’ve gone into their discography so far. Honestly, this album feels like a completely different band. The Byrds are usually known for blending psychedelic rock and folk, but this album is straight-up traditional country. Back then, it might have been called country rock, but by today’s standards, it sounds more like classic country than most modern country music. I’ve listened to a lot of their solo work, so I knew they had this in them, but this one still felt like a big leap. That being said, it’s a really good album, and I enjoyed it a lot. Just don’t go into it expecting it to sound like their earlier albums.

From jangle to twangle, they're great at everything

I’m just a country gal, and this is a lovely country record. Sweet songs, cool album cover. Easy listening.

This was unexpected after recognizing the top songs on their Spotify page. I really liked the sound of it. These guys wouldn't be out of place touring with some of the bands that I like to see.

Certainly very different to the other music I knew by "The Byrds". But - although me not being a country fan - I found it quite pleasent to listen to. Quite ok. It still leaves me a bit surprised why this is in the 1001 list. Aren't there better "real" country albums out there? Or is this really so special because The Byrd was one of the bands introducing "country rock"?

Some enjoyable country and western music by a band I haven’t generally enjoyed! This one was good though!

Can't really articulate why, but I actually really fuck with this. 3.5/5

I’m loving how I feel like swaying in a field while my hair flys out behind me. Both the fiddle and the banjo add such an upbeat, wholesome quality to the record!

I didn't really find the groove with this as much as I'd hoped I would but it was still pretty great. It's a bit twangy, even for which is saying something, but overall the songwriting is good and the performances are good and I enjoyed it. It's pretty clear this was built around You Ain't Going Nowhere which is the clear 'single'

Love the Byrds. Didn't realize they were so folky/country!

Great tunes.

My favourite byrds album, the addition of Gram Parsons was a stroke of genius.

Birth of genre

Better than Coldplay

Nostalgie tome 2! Du bon country très (trop?) populaire dans les soupers de villages du bas du fleuve!! Une étoile de moins pour le côté languissant!

Favorite Track: Blue Canadian Rockies

I briefly surveyed the reviewers of the album while listening and it's interesting to me that one way to feign being an intelligent music listener is to denigrate country music. "Look over yonder porch; that fellow playing the banjo is married to his sister and he's fucking his cousin." How witty, how droll. Is this album for me? Well, not all of it. "The Christian Life" made me want to burn down a monastery. But there is a lot to love here. You could claim it's cliche, derivative, twanging crap...etc, etc, etc, but you'd be wrong to do so. Set aside your prejudice and your scintillating wit and listen beyond the twang and the fiddle. You'll be rewarded.

I really loved this. I wasn’t that familiar with The Byrds but loved this early country rock flair.

This is a country album. I was kind of surprised because I was more familiar with them as a folk/rock band. But this is pretty much straight up old school country.

As the title suggests this album is very country oriented especially compared to the generally folkier sound the Byrds go for. I enjoyed this a fairly high amount. I really loved the harmonies on “One Hundred Years From Now” I really liked “Nothing Was Delivered”, “You’re Still On My Mind” and “You Don’t Miss Your Water”. The only song I had a strong negative reaction towards was “The Christian Life” just a little too much. But I really like that older country sound this was good.

Listened to this while road tripping with my parents. Awesome album.

listened with bergen while driving to Ponyhenge

amazing fr Gram Parson heart emoji

not knowing anything about this album going in, I quite liked it!

i luv gramsons parsons Fav song: The Christian Life

The was a good, wholesome, early sounds. I wouldn't listen to the album again. But I enjoyed my time with it.

8/10 Favorites: You Ain’t Going Nowhere I Am A Pilgrim You Don’t Miss Your Water Hickory Wind

The big country switch for The Byrds. It's funny Gram Parsons comes in, changes their whole sound, then leave before the album even releases. This album starts off great, the first side is excellent. But I got tired of it by the second side, with only a couple highlights. Still gonna give this a 4 though because it definitely was mostly enjoyable

It doesn't feel like a coherent album. Nor does it feel like a greatest hits. But it's full of great things.

This laid back 60's style is very nice to my ears. I don't want to be one of those shunning buddies, and to each their own, but I could do without The Christian Life.

more yeehaw than i would expect from a californian band. pretty solid

Mi primer disco country. prefiero the byrds eléctricos y versioneando a Dylan pero es muy bueno.

What an odd album. I rather like Woody Guthrie and so on, so the folkier bits were a pleasant listen. Not so sure about the country aspect. Not sure why I’d listen to this again when I can go to the more consistent original sound. But an interesting listen

More of The Byrds. Good stuff.

Liked more than I would have expected

I was expecting the jangle pop of The Byrds, which influenced early REM and Peter Buck. Instead, I got the country rock of The Byrds, which directly influenced Uncle Tupelo and Wilco. So it’s all good!

This is not what I was expecting. I thought the Byrds were, like, hippies. This seemed to be straightforward Christian bluegrass country music. I really liked it though!

I love this album - just grows and grows on me with each listen. Does country music inevitably appeal to you as you age?

Gram Parsons’ work is amazing on this. Honestly, he really pushes this ceiling up on this album. The Byrds’ ability to interpret Dylan is unmatched but it’s Parsons’ work that keeps the album rolling.

Pretty good

Kelly really liked it…

While most of the rock bands in 68 were doing psychedelic stuff, The Byrds were one of the few bands who said: "Fuck it. Here's some old ragged ass fuckin country music up your ass, mate!"

Ach man das ging runter wie Butter mit der Pedal Steel Guitar. Kann meinen Geschmack aus der Bewertung nicht raushalten 😅

Delightful folk rock foundations of both storytelling and musicality with strong country identity.

Aside from "The Christian Life" I love it. Graham Parsons is a greatly influential man who I've come to respect a lot. Also a Bob Dylan song, how great! I gave 5th Dimension a 3 earlier in this project and I've come to like the Byrds much more since then, as well as country music as a whole.

Some really good country coming from a “Tamborine Man”. 3.5 goin up.

Good birds country

Country music is in such a weird state currently. You have artists who have devoted their entire careers to country music starting to fuse other genres into their work, resulting in some truly abysmal stuff, as the rest of the industry begins to experiment with the twang in turn. A lot of it is good and deserving of praise, like Cowboy Carter, but a lot of it is really fucking bad (I'm thinking of things like Yippe-Ki-Yay by Kesha). However, the real sin is that a lot of the country-fusion stuff you can find in modern music is utterly soulless. Every Friday, I go to Pitchfork's website to see what the new releases are and then I spend the rest of the week listening to them. 9 times out of 10 there is some new country-fusion thing - all the way from singer-songwriters and rappers to emo bands and pop stars. At this point, it feels like a coin toss to determine whether or not it will be dog shit. This era of genre experimentation feels just as bad as it was with hip-hop in the '90s - '00s. We're getting some truly terrible, pandering, "just-stick-with-what's-popular" music as a result. It's likely this will be just as much of an embarrassing footnote as Nu Metal. So, coming into a country-fusion record by a psych-rock band like The Byrds had me worried. But of course it's good. It has soul, it has passion, it has a palpable love for the music it's emulating. That's largely due to Gram Parsons' contributions, but that feeling carries this record beyond a tired approximation of a genre into a genuine country album. Maybe that's the key to making this sort of thing work. This is a well-produced, performed, written, and conceptualized album. It's fun, even if it gets a bit same-y and somewhat stale towards the end. I wish this album would have tried to color outside the lines a bit more, but I also appreciate the efforts to stay true to the vibe. 8/10

When a sixties rock band makes a better "country western" album than any country band today ...

7/10

Okay, so. I don't think this album is anywhere near as bad as the reviews suggest, but at the same time I really struggle to understand how this is, in any way, essential listening. A very convincing, but maybe not all that challenging, country album.

Some Good ol' fashioned country music. You're a nerd and can't get over your country music bias if you don't like it. 8/10 loved the Gram Parsons stuff

Sweetheart vibes, rodeo livin', Byrds flying high with a sonic boom.

This is the album when the Byrds when into a more country rock direction than folk rock, leaving some that Laurel Canyon sound behind and inspiring other country rock stuff like the Band and Flying Burrito Brothers. I dig it for sure but has to be something I'm in the mood for

This is a fantastic album, pretty unrecognizable from the stuff the band had done before this and often credited as the first country-rock album. "The Christian Life" is a great song, and I can't help but think about how it was received by their fans in 1968. Other highlights are "One Hundred Years From Now," one of just three songs written by new band member Gram Parsons, and Woody Guthrie's "Pretty Boy Floyd." For a bunch of country novices, the playing on this is first-rate.

Of all the late 60s country rock this list has managed to throw at me in only 10 weeks, this album is my favorite.

This has been on my “you should listen to” list for a while now. Bumped my score up a little more than I would have given its influence. Not sure I’ll rush out to listen to it again but was very interesting.. ahead of its time.

Is it the Byrds or is it Gram Parsons? Does it matter? This list should have 2 Byrds records: this one and Mr. Tambourine Man. The rest should be burned to make room for some great artists that were omitted,

Crispy, clean, cool.

Good

Pure twang. Not The Byrds I grew up with, but fine.

Like this so much more than I expected. Beautiful harmonies, and some cool blues licks mixed in there.

Enjoyable. A bit too twangy western for a regular listening session but still good and Fogerty initial work

Really good old school country

This was a surprise. Had no idea they had an album like this. Wasn’t sure at first but I did enjoy.

This might be the best Byrds, and and the one that misleads a person into thinking the early Byrds must be alright too. Lots of things about this rock. Lloyd Green's steel parts are rad. "Pack up your money and pick up your tent" rocks. This particular country rock sound rocks. The most Byrds thing about this is that there are two Dylan covers, and the one that it opens with is the best song on the album. Would be 5 stars if they were the ones who wrote You Ain't Goin' Nowhere. music: appreciated. (⌐□_□)

Yesterday, my group got Black Sabbath's debut album, widely considered "the first metal album." Now, metal is a pretty mythologized genre, so it was pretty easy for me to get caught up in the legend and reverence towards it. I mean, goodness, it inspired me enough to devote 2/5ths of a 1,500 word review to a narrative adaptation of the album's title track, as if most people would find it at all relevant. Then you have this album, meanwhile. It holds a similar-ish place in music history, being where the subgenre of country rock kicked off. In fact, it seems the band was rejected for being innovators; Nashville viewed them as a bunch of hippies trying to invade their space, and I doubt a lot of rock people knew what to do with all of this country music. So you think that'd get something similar from me — well, not a whole-ass narrative, but at least a similar level of reverence. But whereas I'm very aware of the mythology of metal and do kind of buy into it... Don't get me wrong, I'm also aware how important country music has been, and of its place in American music. It's just... I've never heard country music as anything but just country music. Y'know? I don't wanna call country music all "the same" and act like there's no difference from artist to artist, but, like... Honestly, country strikes me as maybe the hardest genre for me to talk about. Like, rap can be difficult for me to talk about 'cuz that's a culture I'll never have a full and/or proper understanding of. Jazz, meanwhile, feels like it requires a golden ear to hear the subtle intricacies in playing and, like, modes. With both of those, though, I can at least appreciate flow, beats and lyricism in the former, and in the latter I can get lost in some good melodies and soundscapes. Country, though? Unless there's some super notable context about it, like Johnny Cash's prison albums, I often don't know how many unique things I can say about one album without repeating myself from others. So, like, this album specifically. I mean, yeah, it's country rock. I do like myself some country music, so I do rather like myself this. The fiddle, the slide guitar, the melodies... It's all there. Unless being melody-first is making me stupid and miss some particularly excellent story-telling — and most of these are covers, anyway, so I'unno how much I could praise **this album** for any of that — I just don't know what else I'm supposed to say about it. What makes this all even wilder to me is the fact that this is the **third** Gram Parsons country album my group has gotten now, and it hasn't even been a month since the last one. I know he's pretty well respected, not just for helping found country rock, but also for something he called "Cosmic American Music"; I've read as much. However, between a posthumous solo album, the first Burrito Brothers album, and now this — and of course I mean no disrespect towards the man, but I just can't figure what all the hype is really about. He makes good country music, sure. What else am I supposed to get from him? (And I hafta consider this album as a Gram Parsons album, by the way. This is also my group's third Byrds album, but besides some Bob Dylan covers, it's so far-removed sonically from what I remember, say, FIFTH DIMENSION sounding like that I can't really consider them together.) This might read like a pretty frustrated review. I mean, I spent less time talking about the album than I did complaining about my struggles writing about country music. But I will reiterate: I **do** like this album. Again, it's country music. I dig that sound, and this album is really good at making it. My biggest issue with it is just that I don't hear much special about it, and that's more a gripe with country albums in general (or at least the ones this Randomizer has been giving me so far). That's not enough for me to push this any lower than a 4. It's just, I'unno. 366 albums into this Randomizer, I wish I had more specifics about this kinda stuff. Well, hey, there's still 635 left on this list, and tomorrow's a new year, so I guess I'll just hafta wait and see if I get some or not.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4, but it’s a pretty recommended 4. I’ve really liked Gram Parsons. I’ve been sort of ambivalent towards The Byrds. This is a collaboration album, and my expectations were decent, but not super strong. I do think this album exceeded them, but not to the point of a 5. This is good country music, but there are two things that sort of pull this album down to a 4 for me. The first is that this album (and I cannot believe I’m saying this as a bit of a knock) is that the soundscapes on these tracks lean too much towards country, and don’t find a great balance between the rock sensibilities of The Byrds, and Gram Parsons’ general style. I know it’s weird to say “the country album has too much country”, but Gram Parsons himself clearly learned from this experience, and really refined the blend I think he was searching for on both the Flying Burrito Brothers album we got (1969), and his last album, Grievous Angel (1974). In theory, this combination should work remarkably well (and it does, for the most part) but the blending of genres isn’t as effective here as it could be, and that’s slowly noticeable throughout the album. However, when it works, it works – the best execution of it is on “One Hundred Years from Now” with that steel guitar solo, & “Nothing Was Delivered”, with a more rock-heavy percussion style. Past that though, this is mostly just country, which left me a little disappointed. My other knock is simply in the vocals, and I’m realizing, with this album, how much a distinctive vocal twang can really make or break the general feel of a country soundscape. When Gram Parsons takes lead vocals here, everything simply feels right – his vocals anchor everything perfectly, and he’s got the best tracks on the album. Whenever McGuinn or Hillman take lead, the tracks are still good, but there’s just something that feels a little off (save for You Don’t Miss Your Water & Blue Canadian Rockies) – I can’t really place what it is, and maybe it’s just a bit of bias involved, but they don’t fully anchor themselves as in sync as they could be with the instrumentation. The vocals across this album are still good, but they’re not as consistently strong as they could be, and they lean more towards the rock side of the instrumentation that simply isn’t quite there. Hence, the 4, but make no mistake – it’s a pretty good 4. Those other albums I mentioned would not be as good or as strong without this one leading the way, and what’s here is still a really enjoyable listen, and a pretty breezy 32 minutes. It’s just not as good as it could be, and it falls a little short for even my country-biased ears, just because it doesn’t fully commit to a true blend of the genres. I still liked it, though, and I do recommend it. It could even go up to a 5 if a few tracks just hit better at a later point.

I found this one hard to rate. I did enjoy it, but, I don't think I will revisit. It was fine country but not anything where I was blown away

I love David Crosby, but the Byrds first (I think) album without him is probably my favorite that I’ve listened to. Gram Parsons has one of his too few great moments here. It’s an important album for much of the music I love in the alt-country and psych-country genres.

Gram Parsons joined the band at this point in their history, and they completely embraced the country rock sound with this album. Definately a change from their prior albums, which were heavier to psychadelic rock. I mean, they always had a few country rock songs on each of their older albums, but this album is fully committed to the country sound. It is fantastic! Favourite songs: Pretty Boy Floyd, Lazy Days, I Am a Pilgrim, Pretty Polly, Life in Prison, You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, Blue Canadian Rockies Least favourite songs: The Christian Life 4/5

Rich, warm, 100%-authentic, and just about note perfect. Nearly flawless in terms of what it’s trying to accomplish, but narrower than earlier Byrds records. Parsons focused the sound, sure, but might have also curbed some of the ambition. More bands should blend cuts by Haggard and Dylan. Best cuts are the Dylan covers, "The Christian Life," "Prison Life," "You'll Miss Your Water" and "Hickory Wind" though it's safe to say that we've more less reached peak-GP to the point he's trending toward the overrated. Still he really soared during his three-month tenure as a Byrd. And it shows just how good were McGuinn and Hillman – the heart and soul of the band for sure.

I'm not really a fan of country music but I certainly recognize a good song when I hear one and this album has a lot of good songs. Do the Byrds add something to the origanal version, well I can't answer that because I don't know the original versions but I do know that they take the material here and render it with class and beauty. The harmonies are beautiful, the arrangements are well conceived and the recording and playing are first class. Can't give it a full endorsement because, you know, it's country music and for whatever reason I just dont like the sound of a lap steel guitar which dominates the songs but I still managed to enjoy the hell out of it. 4 stars.

I feel like I’m in a covered wagon but in 1968 and I like it. 4/5.

## In-Depth Review of *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* by The Byrds *Sweetheart of the Rodeo*, released in August 1968, marks a significant turning point in American music, particularly as one of the first albums to be widely recognized as a country-rock record. This sixth studio album by The Byrds, featuring the influential Gram Parsons, showcases a blend of traditional country music with elements of rock and folk, creating a sound that would resonate through subsequent decades. ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* reflects themes of heartache, longing, and the complexities of American life. The album includes a mix of original songs and covers, with notable tracks such as: - **"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere"**: A song originally written by Bob Dylan, it captures a sense of existential wandering and resignation. - **"Hickory Wind"**: An original by Parsons, this track is rich with nostalgia and yearning for home, emphasizing emotional depth through its storytelling. - **"I Am a Pilgrim"**: A traditional song that speaks to the journey of life and faith, showcasing the album's roots in Americana. The lyrics often evoke imagery associated with rural America and personal struggles, resonating deeply with listeners who appreciate storytelling in music. The combination of Parsons' and McGuinn's vocals adds a haunting quality to these narratives, enhancing their emotional impact. ### **Music** Musically, *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* is characterized by its use of traditional country instruments such as pedal steel guitar, banjo, and fiddle. The production incorporates these elements seamlessly into The Byrds' established sound, which had previously leaned towards folk-rock and psychedelic influences. Key musical features include: - **Instrumentation**: The album features prominent pedal steel guitar played by Jay Dee Maness and Lloyd Green, which adds authenticity to the country sound. Fiddle and banjo are also utilized effectively to enhance the traditional feel. - **Vocal Harmonies**: The Byrds are known for their distinctive vocal harmonies, which are on full display throughout the album. Tracks like "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" showcase their ability to blend voices in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. - **Production Quality**: Produced by Gary Usher, the album maintains a polished yet organic sound. Usher's approach allows the instrumentation to shine while keeping the vocals front and center. ### **Themes** The themes explored in *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* are emblematic of a broader cultural shift occurring in America during the late 1960s. Some key themes include: - **Cultural Identity**: The album represents an intersection between rock and country music, challenging genre boundaries and reflecting a changing musical landscape. - **Nostalgia and Longing**: Many songs express a yearning for simpler times or lost connections, resonating with listeners who feel similarly displaced in a rapidly changing world. - **Rebellion Against Norms**: By embracing country music—a genre often viewed as conservative—the Byrds were pushing back against the expectations placed upon them as rock musicians. This act of rebellion laid groundwork for future artists exploring similar themes. ### **Influence** Upon its release, *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* received mixed reviews and was not commercially successful; however, its influence has grown significantly over time. It is now regarded as a seminal work that paved the way for several music movements: - **Country-Rock Movement**: The album is credited with establishing the genre known as country-rock. Its blend of styles influenced bands like The Flying Burrito Brothers and later artists within the alt-country movement. - **Legacy for Future Generations**: Artists such as Ryan Adams, Wilco, and even mainstream acts like The Eagles have cited *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* as an inspiration for their own work. Its impact can be seen in how country music has evolved to incorporate rock elements. - **Cultural Significance**: The Byrds’ willingness to experiment with their sound has encouraged a more inclusive understanding of what constitutes American music. It has opened doors for artists across genres to explore hybrid musical forms. ### **Pros and Cons** #### **Pros** - **Innovative Sound**: The album successfully merges rock with traditional country elements, creating a unique sound that was groundbreaking at its time. - **Emotional Depth**: Lyrically rich with themes that resonate universally—such as love, loss, and identity—making it relatable across generations. - **Musical Cohesion**: Each track contributes to an overall narrative that feels cohesive despite its varied influences. #### **Cons** - **Commercial Reception**: Initially failed to achieve commercial success or widespread acclaim upon release; many fans were resistant to its departure from psychedelic rock. - **Limited Original Material**: While it includes some standout originals by Parsons, much of the album consists of covers or traditional songs that may not appeal to all listeners seeking innovation. - **Polarizing Genre Shift**: Some critics argue that The Byrds’ embrace of country music alienated their original fan base who preferred their earlier folk-rock style. ### Conclusion In retrospect, *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* stands as a landmark achievement in music history. Its fusion of rock and country not only defined a new genre but also paved the way for future explorations within American music. While it faced initial criticism and commercial challenges, its enduring legacy continues to influence artists today. Through its heartfelt lyrics, innovative instrumentation, and thematic depth, *Sweetheart of the Rodeo* remains an essential listen for anyone interested in understanding the evolution of modern music.

Kanskje jeg har blitt gærn, men dette var jo veldig kos

Easy listening at its finest right here. Didn’t give the whole extended version of the album a try, but the original is worth the listen

Welp, back to the late 1960's with music that may or may not deserve to be in this book. This is a definite change of direction for the Byrds due to Gram Parsons essentially taking over the band. I can't decide if this one deserves to be in the book or not. It's a change of direction for the Byrds but is it a change that deserves placement as one of the albums we must hear? If you like the Byrds, then yes, you have to hear this album. This list isn't intended (I would not think) to include albums a person has to hear if he/she likes a certain band. I think what the Byrds do here is much more notable on Gram Parsons' solo records. I lean toward leaving this one out and covering early country-rock with Grievous Angel. There are too many Byrds albums in this book anyway. On to the music...it's pretty damn good. Hickory Wind, You Ain't Going Nowhere, The Christian Life, You Don't Miss Your Water and Nothing was Delivered are all great songs. One Hundred Years From Now is an old school Byrds song with just enough jangle to remind you this is the band that wrote the book on jangle pop as well. While I don't think this album should be in the book and isn't a must-listen, as there are more important representations of country-rock in this book, this is still a pretty good album.

i like this one. amazing vibes. 8/10

Good

Wish Gram Parsons lasted longer with the Byrds. This album kicked off “Country Rock”, so thank y’all.

This is an interesting album pull, because I'm going to my first rodeo tomorrow. Pleasant opening tune. I like the country guitar. Nice harmonies. Just a very old school country vibe on this album, which is really the only type of country worth listening to. I don't know much about The Byrds, but I didn't think they were a country group. We'll, and it seems they ran out of country songs, because it tails off at the end, then comes back. I don't know... I enjoyed this album, overall, so I'll give this a 4.

Great

When putting this on, surprised to hear country and bluegrass, so had to read the backstory. I can see where fans were put off by it given the change from previous Byrds albums, as well as country folks thinking that a hippie band was trying to hijack country. This album probably made no one happy, both fans and non-fans. However, I found this was a great listen, maybe since I’m not into country, so the crossover works for me. Do miss the McGuinn 12-string Ricky jangle, though.

Kovbojok, bicsiz!

I actually quite enjoyed this - a good old style country album, catchy little songs and good tunes. Not bad, not bad at all.

I really liked the classic rock blended with old country vibes of this. Great road trip music!

Great stuff; groundbreaking too

The archetype LA sunshine psychedelic jangle pop band get hijacked by Gram Parsons and end up deep in Appalachian folk, Southern gospel, Nashville schmaltz and Bakersfield outlaw sensibility to create their best work. It's glorious pastiche that becomes fully it's own thing, the hillhippy sound. The album is full of swelling strings, heavenly lap steel guitar, close harmonies, ripping banjos, propulsive mandolin parts, and full twang lead guitars. Gentle ballads, sardonic love songs, bittersweet laments, and the rare touch of peak 60s Rickenbacker jangle and Beatlesy melody. None of the songs are real standouts but it's rock solid throughout.

Nice!

It started off a little slow and my eyes began to roll 🙄. This album is pretty legendary and well respected, but my first worry was if this was going to be one of those situations where you finally hear an album where its reputation is slmost mythological, but it leaves you flat and wondering what everyone was raving about. And then I got religion when “The Christian Life” hit… on a Sunday no less. It’s the musicianship and the vocals, lead and harmonies both, that sucked me in and I became a believer. Song after song from their kept emphasizing those strengths and I was all onboard. It’s a thumbs up, and one of those “classic album” that thankfully holds up.

Given all the personnel turnover, hard to believe the Byrds could sustain such a high level of excellence, though perhaps the new personnel made it easier to go all-in on genre-hopping. Certainly, the brief additon of GP helped. His two songs are strong contributions. The Dylan covers are also oustanding – they just went all in on this. The music legit swings and sounds fully country-fried – not just countrified and certaintly not tricked out. They seem humble in their hybridization approach. This works from top to bottom, with every cut working on its own terms without trying too hard. But its the combination of warmth ("Nothing Was Delivered," the vocal harmonies on several cuts), wit ("The Christian Life," "Prison Life") and wisdom ("You'll Miss Your Water") are what really sets this apart. It's clearly a labor of love and there's appreciation and respect for the songs here. The record certainly qualifies as one of the best country-rock albums of all time, wherever one stands on the debate about whether it's the first.

enjoyable

I like Sweetheart of the Rodeo a lot. I like the Byrds. I'm also a Bob Dylan fan, I like the Louvin' Brothers, & Merle Haggard too. And I'm a fan of a lot of bands that this album influenced. It was the first time that most people heard Gram Parsons; and it's one of the first commercial examples of a country-rock album. There's a lot to like here, or at least, a lot to observe. It's fun to imagine putting this album on in 1968, and hearing the first commercially released versions of You Ain't Goin' Nowhere and Nothing Was Delivered, two new Bob Dylan songs that he'd recorded with The Band on the Basement Tapes, but wouldn't be released in that form for several years yet. The country and folk covers are fun (I Am A Pilgrim, The Christian Life, Pretty Boy Floyd, Life in Prison). But the two Gram Parsons songs (Hickory Wind & 100 Years From Now) are the real standouts on the album. This was the only Byrds album that Gram Parsons was on; and then we was off starting the Flying Burrito Brothers. So that makes Sweetheart of the Rodeo a really odd and fascinating crossroads for the Byrds. They never made another album like it. But I'm glad that it exists.

This is the beginnings of new country. You can tell they laid the groundwork for a lot of bands including the eagles. It’s a good listen

Western type country that I enjoy more over the years.

The Byrds basically set the template for the Eagles here. Not sure if we should thank them for that tho. Very good album

Great Byrds stuff. Super twangy most of the way through, but the musicianship and melody/harmony was excellent and it really shows that these dudes know what they're doing. Nice stories, great feel, great moods set. Four stars.

This album reminds me of Will the Circle Be Unbroken by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but the Byrds didn't appear to call upon old school talent to create their sound and it came four four years earlier. This feels authentic and created from a love of blue grass/country.

Yee-haw

Different than expected and very country sounding, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Classic rock with a definite western/country/bluegrass tilt

Much better than the freewheelin bob dylan album I listened to the day prior - the folk rock vibe holds up a lot better on this one

Yeah this is pretty great. It introduced me to a lot of wonderful country tunes and performers. Having said that, I don't find myself reaching for this one as much as other country/rock albums from this era, or even other Byrds albums. I prefer the first Flying Burrito Brothers and The Everly Brothers' Roots album. Still, it's a nice collection of good-to-great covers as well as some stunning originals like Hickory Wind and 100 Years. Thoroughly enjoyable if perhaps not perfect.

Nice sound byrds do country

Twangy country rock isn’t normally something I like, but I found the tunes easy to listen to and overall a great album. Felt transported to the country side, especially with the song The Christian Life. And what a great cover. When you pick it up, you know what you’re going to get.

A breezy and lovely country album that also seems to function as a collage of Americana - I was a bit perplexed at first upon realizing that a lot of these songs are covers, but I think it’s a really cool approach that seems to be rooted in a reclamation of the genre, in a lot of ways… “You’re Still on My Mind” is very pretty!

Just an absolute joy to listen to. Really fun and enjoyable - had a wonderful time with this one!

Very good. I love You Ain't Goin’ Nowhere.

I can see why you wouldn’t like this if you aren’t a Gram Parsons fan. The version of the album I listened to had a radio ad in which one listener refused to believe it was The Byrds. As a Parsons fan I really dig this, though I would say by the end I didn’t need to hear the pedal steel for a while.

I like country more than the average person. This was good.

4+

I have to be in the mood to handle country, but the older it is, it's probably more tolerable for me. But hang on, didn't the Byrds do rock? Either way, still a great album.

I really liked this one. Felt quite different to other Byrds stuff but it was cool. Really classic and you could hear all kinds of influences in there, must be great fun to play this kind of music.

They didn’t invent Country-Rock, but the argument could be made that they perfected it. Further arguments could be made that The Byrds already leaned this way (with their history of Folk-Rock) and that this record is far more traditional Country than it is Rock ‘n’ Roll. In any event, it’s a great album and a pleasantly balanced collection of covers and notable originals—“Hickory Wind” and “One Hundred Years from Now” are standouts. Clearly, Gram Parsons was the kind of influence they absolutely needed. It’s a landmark moment where you can hear genres and styles and culture come together in a uniquely satisfying way. It’s among their best records, and that’s saying something.

Love it!

Getting into country music as a genre is one thing, getting into country music as an establishment is a whole other thing. The Byrds were now in need of a fresh coat of paint, buoyed by the departure of David Crosby and the encroaching disillusionment of the counterculture. Enter Gram Parsons and his whirlwind influence and impact, which was to be the exact thing that they needed. While they may fit uneasily into the admittedly rigid and sometimes aggravating sound of the genre, The Byrds do as they always do and make the best out of what they could of the scenario, giving their all with the songs offered as they put new spins on the arrangements. Although not their greatest release and the outcome wasn't what they desired, ultimately Sweetheart of the Rodeo would be their most important record and it provided the clarion call that would be sounded by anyone would liked what they heard. Favorites: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, I Am a Pilgrim, The Christian Life, You Don't Miss Your Water, Hickory Wind, One Hundred Years From Now, Blue Canadian Rockies, Nothing Was Delivered, Lazy Days, All I Have Are Memories.

I had no idea they produced something like this. Not too bad!

7/10. Was enough nostalgic feels at the beginning and more fun vibes (One Hundred Years from Now and Nothing was Delivered) at the end to boost it to a 7.

Pleasant listen. Still sounds like the Beatles at times. Low 4.

Nice fiddle playing. Could have been 30% shorter. Overall pretty enjoyable. 7/10

The Byrds go... country? I guess? Why did they do this? I enjoyed the sound on their last album, but I guess this one's good too. I just don't really get the pivot. 7/10

Nice

Is that 4 albums by The Byrds now? I don't have any real issue with them, but I think 4 might be a bit excessive. That being said, this is my favorite Byrds album to date. The country-rock-psychedelia intersection is pretty clearly defined here. Favorite track: Nothing was Delivered

Super surprising and enjoyable! Hadn’t heard of this Byrds project before.

A fun little country break from all the rock (and noise) lately. Would absolutely listen again, happily.

Surprisingly decent, but “The Christian Life” is a low point

I did not know the Byrds did a country album. This was very interesting. Probably not something I would have on my playlist, but I'm glad I was exposed to it.

While listening to this, I keep finding myself pigeon holing this album as just being folksy run of the mill old country but then certain lyrics will pique my interest and I'll realize there's much more here. For example, the song One Hundred Years From Now is cute enough to make it as a single on the radio but also are deeper philosophical statements and even a plea to the listener to learn lessons from history.

I like country-rock. Gram Parsons is an interesting individual too

i honestly have no idea how to rate this, partially because I'm still reeling from the discovery that the byrds are also a country rock band????? none of the individual songs really jumped out at me, but this album was pretty nice to listen to overall (which i did twice). I've also been thinking about the Fallout series a lot recently, and these songs honestly sound like they could have a home on any of the FO game soundtracks. fuck it, four stars. favorites: you ain't goin' nowhere, i am a pilgrim, the christian life, hickory wind

Solid album...really enjoy the move to country rock. 3.5/5

Whenever I hear people comparing this with Songs From Big Pink I do get their point. But this is miles above that poorly sung effort. It is also so much better than a lot of country music of that time. Why? Those harmonies.

I own all the Byrds albums from *Mr. Tambourine Man* to this one (in a CD format). But as fate dictated, there was no room left for *Sweetheart Of The Rodeo* on my shelves. Given that this record is secretly a "Gram Parsons And The Byrds" record, I took this as a sign from the gods of music and placed the CD on my smaller "country / country-rock" shelf. Admittedly not as meticulous AND charming as Gram Parsons' next adventure with The Flying Burrito Brothers, this record is still an endearing historical document as one of the very first examples of "country-rock". What's interesting is that if you focus your attention away from all those pedal steel guitars parts (so ubiquitous in this album that they verge on being annoying at times), you soon realize that the songs are far more diverse than they sound on first listens. Moments where you can recognize the previous version of The Byrds are nice, for instance--thanks to their flower-power vocal parts, partly hidden by all the C&W twangs and wizz. Apart from the two Bob Dylan covers bookending this record, and the two Gram Parsons compositions on side B, everything else is covers of mostly country stuff I don't know much about. The Bob Dylan and Gram Parsons tunes are the clear highlights of *Sweetheart Of The Rodeo* tough. Dylan's original versions of " You Ain't Going Nowhere" and "Nothing Was Delivered" would only be revealed with the eventual release of *The Basement Tapes* in 1975. But "A Hundred Years From Now" was a song specifically written for this album, even if Parson's vocals were "erased" from it--officially for contractual reasons. And it's a country tune for the ages. 4/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential" albums. Which translates to a 9/10 grade, partly for "historical" reasons (5 + 4). Number of albums left to review: 285 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 317 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 175 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 231

I love this album. It was almost my first 5 rating. Parsons is great. My favs are You're still on my Mind, Life in Prison, and Hickory Wind. This album influenced many rock and country legends. I know a lot of people who do not like country rated this low and I get it. I think the Beatles doing this album would have been awesome.

Some songs are pretty, some try to hard to be country music

Interesting country rock album.

iskreno preslatkoo

God bless country.

Pretty sure I did not hear all of this album until well into the 70’s. And before I did, I already owned the 2 solo albums Parsons did for Reprise (1973 & ‘74). So, I knew Hickory Wind from the version he did with Emmylou Harris on the Grievous Angel L.P. before I heard the version on this album. This album was recorded at a time when it was almost compulsory to include a cover of a Dylan tune (here they open & close the record with one) & preferably an obscure song from what would become known as The Basement Tapes (eventually released in 1975). You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere & Nothing Was Delivered qualified on both counts. Both were the first released recordings of the songs in question & both work well. As if to top that off, the band also includes a cover of a Woody Guthrie (Dylan’s “mentor”) song - Pretty Boy Floyd. I never thought Parsons had the greatest voice, but there was always something compelling about it (you could almost say the same about McGuinn’s voice, except it wasn’t really compelling, & when Gene Clark & David Crosby left the band, McGuinn needed another vocalist - which is where Parsons came in). My faves here are Hickory Wind & You’re Still On My Mind (both lead vocals by Gram Parsons) & the covers of William Bell’s You Don’t Miss Your Water & the Louvin Brothers’ The Christian Life ( both lead vocals by Mc Guinn). Love it.

8/10 A lovely sounding album. It’s nearly perfectly laid back, nary a rushed beat to be heard. It, is of course, wholly unoriginal in content if not content. A pedal steel sings bittersweetly over a bed of gently strummed guitars—making a convincing argument that that instrument is the best result from ever having plugged in any guitar in the first place. This album is perfect for something… a lazy day by the river, perhaps. This one came as a surprise as I thought the Byrds were purely a twelve string psychedelic act. This one is pure, near-edgeless country, recorded with pristine care

Classic folk, need to listen to more of them

Them there Byrds gone country!

Favorite songs: Pretty Boy Floyd Pretty Polly (Master Take) Lazy Days (Master Take) Solid country rock album. A couple of sweet songs and overall an enjoyable country feeling.

I really enjoy old country music and have been waiting a while for an album like this. There is something about this album that just makes you feel good. The album is a bit homogenous, but I think it is really well done and doesn't really have any low points. I really prefer 60s albums like this compared to bands like the Everly Brothers. 3.5 rounding up

Good stuff. These guys just were all over the place huh? Good thing I’m in a country mood lately. I liked the slower ones a lot.

A really good early country. Rock album. A little less jangly sounding than most Byrds music. Clearly a progenitor of bands like Poco, New Riders and the Eagles among many others. I especially like the lead off Dylan cover.

At what point does this just become a different band? Subbing out David Crosby and Gene Clark for Gram Parsons just totally changed the sound of the Byrds here. I do like this album and the accessibility it brings to some pretty country music. “The Christian Life” was funny and the harmonies were good throughout. “Nothing was Delivered” sounds like it had some serious influence on Tom Petty.

The Byrds went from a folk and pyschedelic rock group to a country rock one with this album which was a very influental one. I usually don't enjoy country that much but I liked this album. It's short and very nice, with some really great songs written by Gram Parsons.

An actual surprise for me on this one. Country rock/folk feeling throughout that had me tapping my fingers along to the beat while i was cooking. I like that they sing about depressing things while making it upbeat and I would listen to this again in certain circumstances. Made me feel like I was back on the farm again. 7/10

Rootin' and tootin'

A fun and tight little country piece by the Byrds

Sweet, melodic, folk tunes.