Sweetheart of the Rodeo

Tired of dipping an occasional toe into the genre, The Byrds used 1968's Sweetheart Of The Rodeo as a springboard for total immersion, and came up for air as reborn, card-carrying country-rockers. Just as the Rickenbacker twelve-string had been the backbone of their early career, pedal steel guitar became the heart of The Byrds' new sound on the album that introduced singer Gram Parsons to the world. The boulders dislodged have since become an avalanche.

Sweetheart was the most profoundly influential record of its kind and time [1968], and an important blueprint for the fervent cross-breading of country, rock, folk and R&B that resounded in the singer-songwriter movement and L.A. cowboy scene of the 1970s, the '80s roots-rock underground, and the mainstream country explosion of the '90s.

As with all Expanded Editions, the packaging includes all original album info., plus insightful liner notes by David Fricke (Rolling Stone), detailed song annotations by renowned Byrds authority Johnny Rogan, unpublished photos, rare vintage ads and other memorabilia. This release features rare and unissued outtakes and alternate versions, including the recovered vocal performances of Gram Parsons.

Album Tracks:

"You Ain't Going Nowhere"
"I Am A Pilgrim"
"The Christian Life"
"You Don't Miss Your Water"
"You're Still On My Mind"
"Pretty Boy Floyd"
"Hickory Wind"
"One Hundred Years From Now"
"Blue Canadian Rockies"
"Life In Prison"
"Nothing Was Delivered"

Bonus Tracks:

"You Got A Reputation"
"Lazy Days"
"Pretty Polly"
"The Christian Life" (rehearsal - take #11, previously unissued)
"Life In Prison" (rehearsal - take #11, previously unissued)
"You're Still On My Mind" (rehearsal - take #43, previously unissued)
"One Hundred Years From Now" (rehearsal - take #2, previously unissued)
"All I Have Is Memories" (instrumental, previously unissued)

Personnel:

Roger McGuinn, guitar, banjo; Chris Hillman, bass, guitar, mandolin; Gram Parsons, guitar; Kevin Kelley, drums; Earl P. Ball, piano; Jon Corneal, drums; Lloyd Green, steel guitar; John Hartford, banjo, guitar; Roy M. Huskey, bass; Jaydee Maness, steel guitar; Clarence White, guitar.

Original LP: Columbia CS 9670, August 30, 1968. Producer: Gary Usher.
Expanded Edition CD: Columbia/Legacy CK 65150, March 25, 1997. Producer: Bob Irwin.