Love That Album Episode 26 - The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo

1968 arrived and The Byrds were not the same lineup that had produced the jangly folk-pop their fans had grown to know and love. Down to Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, they recruited Kevin Kelley and Gram Parsons to their ranks. Parsons convinced the group to do an all country record called Sweetheart of the Rodeo, now cited as a big influence on country rock. This was not The Byrds as we’d heard them before – although they were never going to desert their Bob Dylan covers.

For episode 26 of Love That Album podcast, I am privileged to be joined by Rockwiz host, Brian Nankervis to discuss this important record. Was this a country-rock record or pure country? As rock fans, would we be paying attention to it today if it had not been a Byrds album? Was McGuinn taking the piss out of a Louvin Brothers song? Did The Band or The Byrds interpret Dylan better? Brian and I discuss all this and more on the show.

For any listeners outside of Australia who haven’t had the good fortune to seeBrian’s show Rockwiz, you can catch recent full episodes online at http://www.sbs.com.au/rockwiz/ (and if you’re a rock trivia buff and a comedy fan, this is ESSENTIAL viewing)

Eric Reanimator joins us again to discuss (appropriately enough) the “Honky Tonk Heroes” album by Waylon Jennings. With Jennings’ very direct connection to early rock and roll, there’s ample evidence that country and rock are a great fit.

Download the show either from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or search for “lovethatalbum” in the itunes store.

Send any feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au – either written or mp3. I’d love to hear anything you have to say about the show or your thoughts on an album you really love.

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Right click to download and save Episode 26 here