THE BYRDS
Fifth Dimension (1966)
5D (Fifth Dimension)
I Know My Rider [Cancelled Flytes]
Wild Mountain Thyme
Mr. Spaceman
I See You
The Day Walk (Never Before) [TTT CD re-issue]
Eight Miles High
Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)
Why [Mono Singles 1965-67]
She Don't Care About Time [TTT CD re-issue]
John Riley
What's Happening?
BONUS
Captain Soul
2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)
I Come and Stand at Every Door
Another Dimension (2xLP)
Eight Miles High (RCA version) [Never Before]
Why (RCA version) [Never Before]
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The Byrds' 1966 LP was prefaced by two significant events---the release of the groundbreaking single "Eight Miles High" and the subsequent departure of the band's most consistent singer-songwriter (at the time). Overwhelmed by the anxieties of travelling by plane to meet the demands of the Byrds' touring and promotional needs coupled with increasing alienation among his bandmates due in part to jealousies over his profitable songwriting royalties, Gene Clark was on his way to going solo. His last track completed with the band was "The Day Walk (Never Before)"; a Dylan worshipping lyric paired with a 12-string riff that suspiciously sounds copped from another hit-of-the-day (a similar pattern found in the alternate mix of "She Don't Care About Time"). Guess Clark loved the Stones, too!
Jim (later 'Roger') McGuinn took the songwriting reins with a pair of hits to follow in "5D" and "Mr. Spaceman" .; while Crosby also got in on the action with "What's Happening?!!" No Dylan covers this time. A couple old folk ditties saw new life breathed into them with string laden arrangements; well sung by McGuinn ("John RIley" and "WIld Mountain Thyme").
However, the overall LP isn't as strong as it could be! Let's lose the downbeat "I Come and Stand at Every Door" and the instrumental b-side "Captain Soul" (which contrary to popular 'belief' features drummer Michael Clarke on harmonica--NOT Gene Clark as one Wikipedia nazi likes to fight me over, lol). The latter song is credited to all four current members at the time; thus, explaining its presence here (not on musical merit). Two songs recorded for a planned single: "I Know My Rider" (another folk tune; the band regrettably decided it'd been done to death) and the jazzy psych jam "Psychodrama City" (written and sung by Crosby) were tragically left unreleased until 1987's 'Never Before' compilation.
My solution? Add the sides from the cancelled single and replace the two aforementioned tracks with "Why" and "The Day Walk". This gives Gene Clark a fitting farewell in addition to filling out the LP with quality material. Completists should look to the Another Dimension compilation for some groovy ass instrumental takes from the 5D sessions. In particular, "The Lear Jet Song" holds up a lot better than you'd think!
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Spotify link: Fifth Dimension (alt.)
The Day Walk was not Gene's last song cut with the group. That song was cut during the TTT sessions.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I gathered that from its inclusion on the CD re-issue. Most likely, they had saved the song for future use. Obviously, it wasn't quite finished and of course, forgotten by even Clark himself. You want to get technical--no, it wasn't the last he did with them ever. However, it was the only thing finished (or at least with vocals) they could find. An unfinished first attempt at "I Know My Rider" was also done. Gene is co-credited as arranger with McGuinn and Crosby.
Deletereimagined "5D":
ReplyDelete1)5D
2)She Don't Care About Time
3)Mr.Spaceman
4)I See You
5)I Come and Stand At Every Door
6)I Know My Rider
7)Eight Miles High (RCA)
8)Why (RCA)
9)The Day Walk
10)What's Happening
11)It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
I wanted another Byrds w/Gene...
Thanks (both of ya) for yer thoughts on this blog. I appreciate the debate! And echopk, I shall try that playlist.
Deletecool!
ReplyDeleteHaha... alternate classic album playlists have an audience of one (their maker)!
ReplyDeleteI have 'The Day Walk' and 'She Don't Care About Time' on my (massively improved!) 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' album sequence.
Here's my 'Fifth Dimension'...
1. Eight Miles High
2. Wild Mountain Thyme
3. Mr. Spaceman
4. Captain Soul
5. John Riley
6. What's Happening?!
7. I See You
8. 5D
9. Psychodrama City
10. Why (Stereo single version)
11. I Come and Stand at Every Door
12. The Lear Jet Song
I pretend Gene never left. Here is my 5D .. I'm calling this album EIGHT MILES HIGH
ReplyDeleteSide 1
1. Eight Miles High
2. Wild Mountain Thyme
3. Mr. Spaceman
4. What's happening
5. I See You
6. If I Hang Around - Gene
Side 2
7. 5D
8. Tried So Hard - Gene
9. Why (stereo single)
10. I Found You - Gene
11. John Riley
12. I Come And Stand At Every Door