Vinyl Records, LPs and CD Marketplace
 
   
Cart Sign In



Mcguinn, Roger

  ‐  

Thunderbyrd

                 



Click image for expanded view

             

        
$15.00 USD USD  +  shipping

Add To Cart


Format: LP     Want this on CD also?

Condition: VG+ COVER / VG+ LP (cover/media)    More Info
Label: Columbia PC 34656
Country: Us
Released: 1977
Genre: rock
Num In Set: 1
Quantity: 1 in stock
Seller Ref:   1435

includes original inner sleeve
Thunderbyrd (the band) was an interesting, if short lived venture.   On the heels of the critically acclaimed "Cardiff Rose" album, McGuinn apparently decided he missed the dynamics of a full time band.   He promptly hired guitarist James Smith, bassist Bruce Barlow, and drummer Lance Dickerson (the latter two from the recently disbanded Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen).   The quartet spent a year touring before going into the studio, but within a matter of weeks McGuinn decided the lineup wasn't working and promptly fired all three.   Bass player Charlie Harrison, guitarist Rick Vito and drummer Greg Thomas were quickly brought in as replacements for Thunderbyrd MK II.
To be honest, the first time I heard 1977's "Thunderbyrd" I was pretty disappointed.   McGuinn's always thin voice seemed exceptionally brittle and uninspired and the thought of him covering a Peter Frampton song ('All Night Long') just didn't cut it.   Add to that, the album included four McGuinn-Jacques Levy collaborations and ...    well, there was always the next time.    To McGuinn's credit   there were a couple of mildly entertaining numbers, including McGuinn's cover of Byrd-wannabe Tom Petty's 'American Girl' and the pseudo-Byrd-ish 'It's Gone', but the overall feel was less than inspired.   Revisiting the album, years later, my original views may have been a little sharp, but weren't all that far off.   It certainly wasn't my favorite McGuinn album, but it wasn't quite as bad as I originally thought.   The Petty cover was very good.   The McGuinn - Levy rocker 'It's Gone' was better than I remembered, and his cover of the George Jones classic 'Why Baby Why' actually rocked with some gusto.   As for McGuinn's voice; well ... you either liked his nasal whine, or it drove you crazy.  I found myself leaning to the former.    Cal it an acquired taste.  
"Thunderbyrd" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) All Night Long (Peter Frampton - M. Gallagher) - 4:15
Better than I would have expected, but his cover won't make you forget the Frampton original.   The most interesting thing about this one was the gigantic drum sound Greg Thomas churned out.    Cool tune to listen to on a good pair of speakers, or quality headphones.   rating: *** stars
2.) It's Gone    (Roger McGuinn - Jacques Levy) - 3:51
McGuinn returning to his patented Byrds song.   Yeah, the voice wasn't what it had once been, but the song was tuneful; has some sweet backing vocals, included a tasty guitar solo, and was a nice flashback to that earlier time.   One of the album highlights.    rating: **** stars
3.) Dixie Highway    (Roger McGuinn - Jacques Levy) - 3:27
''DIxie Highway' was a nice Little Feat-styled rocker.   Slinky and fun.      YouTube has a nice clip of Thunderbyrd doing the song on a 1977 episode of the German Rockpalast televiision show:
    rating: **** stars
4.) American Girl    (Tom Petty) - 4:28
Kudos to McGuinn for being an early Tom Petty fan and grabbing this one.   Petty's original remains the definitive version, but McGuinn and company turned in an enthusiastic version.   It would have been even better without the muzak-ish sax solo.    For some reason Tom Scott's solo always makes me think of Saturday Night Live.      YouTube has a clip from the 1977 Rockpalast performance:

No doubt tied in part to Tom Petty's ongoing commercial successes, Columbia tapped it as the album's single:
   
- 1977's 'American Girl' b/w 'Rusiain Hill' (Columbia catalog number 3-10543)    rating: **** stars
5.) We Can Do It All Over Again    (M. Williams - Barry Goldberg) - 4:46
Laid back, slightly country-rock tinged ballad.   Pretty chorus that's reminded me a bit of a sub-par Jimmy Buffett tune.    rating: ** stars 
(side 2)
1.) Why Baby Why    (George Jones - Edwards) - 3:47
McGuinn showing he could handle country-rock without the rest of The Byrds.    An

Add to Wish List      
     
Bad Cat Records

Bad Cat Records (Virginia, United States)

Overall Rating:

Feedback: 99.4% positive (523 ratings)
Fill Rate: 93% availability
Time To Ship: 1.2 days
Response Time: Response Time: 0.5 days (12.1 hrs)

Seller For: 21.9 years
Transactions: 1,553

7,932 items   Updated 3 days ago

Payment Accepted:
PayPal, Cash (USD - at your risk), Personal Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Certified Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Postal (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), PayPal (make payment to )


Seller Information    Shipping    Grading    Returns   


Contact Seller