…In the Beginning

The Byrds

℗ 1964

Before signing to Columbia Records, the Byrds made hours of rehearsal and demo tapes as they perfected their blend of folk and rock. The Preflyte album, released in the late '60s, presented nearly a dozen of those cuts. This CD takes the bulk of that LP and embellishes it with alternate takes and previously unreleased tracks. Discography-wise, this 17-song disc is a real tongue-twister. Five of the 11 Preflyte tracks reappear in the exact same version, along with six alternate takes of Preflyte cuts. There are also alternate takes of both sides of their 1964 Elektra single (released as the Beefeaters), the primitive acoustic demo "The Only Girl I Adore" (previously available only on an obscure Elektra compilation), a previously unissued early version of "It's No Use" (later on their first LP), and the previously totally unreleased original "Tomorrow Is a Long Ways Away," in both electric and acoustic versions. Amidst the collector details, one shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the music is excellent, though more tentative and less polished than their "official" Columbia work. The harmonies are angelic and the melodies beautiful. Though this is more derivative of the early Beatles than their later Dylan-influenced folk-rock, one can hear the group's unsurpassed crystalline blend of guitars and voices approaching full bloom. With the exception of an early version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," all the cuts are originals, most of which are fine and never appeared on their later albums; there are many good, otherwise unavailable Gene Clark songs in particular. Minor complaint: Some of the alternate takes here are inferior to those on the original Preflyte album. — Richie Unterberger.

Don Brown Compilation, Art Direction

Gene Clark

Michael Clarke

David Crosby

Jim Dickson Producer

Barry Feinstein Photography

Chris Hillman

Bill Inglot Producer, Digital Transfers, Digital Preparation

Billy James Liner Notes

Roger McGuinn

Ken Perry Digital Transfers, Digital Preparation

Gary Stewart Project Assistant

1. Tomorrow is a Long Ways Away [01:56]
2. Boston [02:07]
3. The Only Girl I Adore [02:26]
4. You Won't Have to Cry [02:16]
5. I Knew I'd Want You [02:14]
6. The Airport Song [02:03]
7. The Reason Why [02:35]
8. Mr. Tambourine Man [02:11]
9. Please Let Me Love You [02:35]
10. You Movin' [02:09]
11. It Won't Be Wrong [02:02]
12. You Showed Me [01:52]
13. She Has a Way [02:26]
14. For Me Again [02:32]
15. It's No Use [02:17]
16. Here without You [02:26]
17. Tomorrow is a Long Ways Away [acoustic version] [01:56]