I heard the Byrds play at the University of Chicago in October 1969. They spent more time tuning than all the bands I’ve heard live put together. I thought they were high or showing off. As they tuned again after the third song, a voice from the balcony ordered them to cut the country shit. That seemed harsh at the time. I hadn’t heard this record.
Me, I like country music, but the Byrds were terrible at it. Why would they record I am a Pilgrim and The Christian Life? A friend told me that the Byrds were a gateway to country music for kids who had grown up on Top 40 songs such as Mr. Tambourine Man. I said folks who heard the Byrds do Life in Prison would never listen to Merle Haggard. I bought this record used for a buck in 1981 because so many people said it was great. I still don’t get it.
converselyspeaking 