Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
by The Byrds

With the recruitment of Gram Parsons the Byrds go the whole country hog. There's no irony here, it is done with the utmost sincerity, and is also a lot of fun. Roger Mcguinn takes most of the lead vocals as a lot of Parsons' singing was erased just before release. As for the music itself, even though the Byrds are now rootin' tootin' cowboys, there's still room for a couple of the obligatory Bob Dylan covers in, you ain't goin' nowhere, and, nothing was delivered. The highlights include, the Christian life, one hundred years from now, and Parsons' timeless, hickory wind. After the departure of Parsons just before a tour of South Africa, The Byrds would dispense with the country music(although there still would be the odd country number on future albums), but the importance of this LP cannot be understated. Country rock is born. (Edited)

From buzzdainer TOP 100 COMMENTER 11/17/2019 16:35 | #244950 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Gram Parsons only stuck around to make a single record with the Byrds, but it was far and away the best thing the Byrds ever did, and that includes "Eight Miles High" and the other iconic Roger McGuinn-penned Byrds songs of the sixties. Sweetheart of the Rodeo never attained quite the same commercial success of the Byrds' other work, but it's some of the finest and most influential country rock ever recorded. For me there's not a bad song on the whole album, but any discussion of Sweetheart of the Rodeo has to begin with "You Ain't Going Nowhere," probably the song I've played on more porches in Georgia and North Carolina than any other, ever. Just one of those great, simple, timeless tunes that everyone knows, even when they're not quite sure how or when or where they heard it first. (Edited)

While I like the "jangle pop" version of The Byrds much better than later incarnations, I have to admit that this is the definition of a "grower" album. It pretty much creates the genre of alt-country that would be replicated by so many bands in the 90s through the present. If you are a fan of alt-country, this is the origin album for your travels. (Edited)

A couple of slower and average tracks keep this fantastic record from being the truly incredible album it should be. With that being said it is still a great listen with its short and sweet run time and catchy country hooks. It did take me quite a few listens to get into this record as it really is a grower but once you allow those choruses, instrumentation and vocal to infect you then there is no coming back and you soon fall in love with this album. Instrumentally, it is classic country with a Byrds twist that makes it more of an enjoyable listen for me and then you add the fantastic vocal performances on top making a deadly fusion that is like bliss. The atmosphere and style are well maintained as well with the whole record feeling extremely cohesive due to the great song writing, instrumental performances and clever cover song selections. Musically, it obviously isn't that complex and there is more experimental Byrds albums which are a lot more intelligent and in depth but this is just so much fun to listen to and so it makes it one of my favourites. Overall, if given time this could be one of your favourite records to spin as I didn't rate it very highly at first but I kept putting it on time and time again as it just makes me happy and I couldn't resist it. (Edited)

An amazing album (unless you're a Byrds fan). Gram Parsons joined the Byrds and managed to completely change their sound and do a rock record heavily influenced by country.
Unfortunately, this visionary album was before it's time and was alienated by both rock and country audiences.

This is the roots of country and rock fusion, and it's damn good and easily to obsess over. The Highlight Track is "You Ain't Going Nowhere," written by Bob Dylan. (Edited)