Rock Archeologia

Roger McGuinn - Roger McGuinn (1973 CBS Records)

Artist: Roger McGuinn
Album: Roger McGuinn
Label: CBS Records
Catalog#: S 65274
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Netherlands
Released: 1973
Genre: Pop/Rock, Country-Rock, Folk
Format: FLAC (track+.cue)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:35:34

• Roger McGuinn's 1973 self-titled solo debut was in most respects a breath of fresh air after the final days of the Byrds, in which the group was floundering in directionless mediocrity. In a sense, it's a back-to-basics album that emphasizes much of what McGuinn does so well: his forceful reedy vocals, his guitar playing, and his skills at both writing earnest folk-rock material (usually with future Bob Dylan collaborator Jacques Levy here) and interpreting unusual traditional and contemporary songs. Never was it folkier than on the acoustic "I'm So Restless," which benefited from harmonica by Dylan himself (about whom the song was partially about). All four of the other original Byrds play on "My New Woman," which is virtually a reunion of the original quintet, with the addition of saxophone by jazzman Charles Lloyd; David Crosby makes unobtrusive cameos on some other tracks. As likable as it is, however, the album isn't an unqualified triumph. Some of the songs aren't so hot, some of the Moog synthesizer (by McGuinn) is unnecessary, his vocals sometimes seem to have been recorded with too much brittleness, and none of this is as good as the best of the Byrds. Unexpected influences make themselves heard in the Beach Boys harmonies of "Draggin'" (with Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys on piano and backup harmonies), the Vietnam blues of "Hanoi Hannah," and the gospel-rock of "Stone." - Richie Unterberger..

 • Side One:
A1. I'm So Restless 03:05
A2. My New Woman 03:10
A3. Lost My Drivin' Wheel 03:27
A4. Draggin' 03:36
A5. Time Cube 03:15
 • Side Two:
B1. Bag Full Of Money 03:19
B2. Hanoi Hannah 02:50
B3. Stone 02:59
B4. Heave Away 03:03
B5. M'Linda 02:42
B6. The Water Is Wide 03:06

Personel:
Roger McGuinn - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Hal Blaine, Michael Clarke - Drums
Gene Clark, Jimmy Joyce - Vocals
Jerry Cole - Guitar
David Crosby - Guitar, Vocals
Jim Gordon, John Guerin - Drums
Bob Dylan - Harmonica
Buddy Emmons - Steel Guitar
Chris Ethridge, Chris Hillman - Bass
Bruce Johnston - Piano
Charles Lloyd - Saxophone
Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane - Vocals
Leland Sklar, David Vaught - Bass
Spooner Oldham - Keyboards

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