Byrds of a Feather II – Part 1

In addition to turtles I also love birds and since next Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day now seems like a good time to revisit one of my favorite bands- the Byrds! The one constant member of the Byrds- Roger McGuinn- started his music career as a folk singer but soon began sneaking Beatles songs into his set lists. In 1964, McGuinn moved from New York City to Los Angeles where he met and joined forces with Gene Clark and David Crosby- and the rest is Byrds history.

‘60s Byrds

After inventing folk-rock with their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”, the Byrds continued to evolve musically and their psychedelic and country rock periods were equally trailblazing. While not as well known as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, the Byrds’ influence on ‘60s and ‘70s rock music cannot be overstated- and I think most of their songs still sound groovy! Here are more of my favorites. Enjoy!

‘70s Byrds

01. The Byrds – “Lady Friend” (1967)

02. The Byrds – “Fido” (1969)

03. The Byrds – “5D (Fifth Dimension)” (1966)

04. The Byrds – “Wild Mountain Thyme” (1966)

05. The Byrds – “Ballad of Easy Rider” (1969)

06. The Byrds – “Tiffany Queen” (1971)

07. The Byrds – “Gunga Din” (1969)

08. The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man (Live)” (1970)

09. The Byrds – “Farther Along” (1971)

10. The Byrds – “Dolphin’s Smile” (1968)

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Roger McGuinn Interview

Turtle Week – Part 5

The Turtles never took themselves too seriously and the idea of “serious” rock music has always sounded like an oxymoron to me (even Bob Dylan eventually learned how to have fun with his music). The Turtles never pretended to have anything important to say and they seemed okay with following ‘60s musical trends all the way to the bank. On their fourth album, The Battle of the Bands, the Turtles took a page from the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s album and actually pretended to be 12 different bands!

After the Turtles broke up in 1970, Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman entered into years of legal battles with their record label and during this period the two singers were unable to use their own names. So, Kaylan and Volman became Flo and Eddie, joined Frank Zappas’ band, and earned a living as backup singers for other artists including Bruce Springsteen, the Psycehdelic Furs, and the Ramones. 

When I was living and working in Zambia, there were two African tortoises inhabiting my backyard and I have many happy memories of playing with them in the grass. It was also around this time I purchased The Turtles’ Greatest Hits which might be the logical place for casual Turtles' fans to start since it has all the hits as well as a few lesser known tracks. I hope you have enjoyed Turtle Week- I know I did- and don't forget World Turtle Day is on May 23. Here are some more of my favorite Turtles songs. Enjoy!

01. The Turtles – “Buzz Saw” (1968)

02. The Turtles – “So Goes Love” (1967)

03. The Turtles – “Rugs of Woods & Flowers” (1967)

04. The Turtles – “Love in the City” (1969)

05. The Turtles – “We’ll Meet Again” (1966)

06. The Turtles – “There You Sit Lonely” (1969)

07. The Turtles – “The Story of Rock and Roll” (1968)

08. The Turtles – “She Always Leaves Me Laughing” (1969)

09. The Turtles – “Surfer Dan” (1968)

10. The Turtles – “Can I Get to Know You Better” (1966)

One of my African tortoise friends (they like tomatoes)

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American Tortoise Rescue

Turtle Week – Part 4

For me, the Turtles are all about good times but they were also a product of the times. The ‘60s Western youth culture included not only rock music but a growing social, political, and environmental awareness that was reflected in the music of the Turtles and any other artist who wanted to stay hip and relevant. The artists, companies, and songwriters caught on real fast: you can sell more records if you’re hip.

I don’t know if the Turtles were hip or just pretending to be hip but I think a lot of their music still sounds great. The Turtles played their little part in the ‘60s by providing a groovy soundtrack to what may have been a thrilling time to be alive but the people living through it didn’t know it was so epic; to them it was just life. It wasn’t until years later that people looked back and realized just how special the ‘60s had been- especially the music. Here are some more of my favorite Turtles songs. Enjoy!

01. The Turtles – “You Showed Me” (1968)

02. The Turtles – “Eve of Destruction” (1965)

03. The Turtles – “Hot Little Hands” (1969)

04. The Turtles – “Earth Anthem” (1968)

05. The Turtles – “How You Loved Me” (1969)

06. The Turtles – “I Know That You’ll Be There” (1966)

07. The Turtles – “Let Me Be” (1965)

08. The Turtles – “House on the Hill” (1969)

09. The Turtles – “It Ain’t Me Babe” (1965)

10. The Turtles – “Too Young to Be One” (1967)

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Turtle Week – Part 3

The Turtles started as a high school surf band but by the end of the ‘60s they had become long-haired folk-rockers (their final album- Turtle Soup- was produced by British Invasion icon Ray Davies of the Kinks). The styles of their songs may have changed through the years but to me it's all Turtle music.

I visited California for the first time in 2010 when some friends and I drove a jeep from San Francisco to Mendocino for a wedding and it was wonderful. Listening to the Turtles reminds me of California and the groovy music makes me feel free. It makes me want to go outside, enjoy the sunshine, dance in a field of hippies, and then take in a gorgeous sunset. Here are some (more) of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. The Turtles – “She’ll Come Back” (1966)
02. The Turtles – “Guide for the Married Man” (1967)
03. The Turtles – “Lady-O” (1969)
04. The Turtles – “Can I Go On” (1969)
05. The Turtles – “Is It Any Wonder” (1967)
06. The Turtles – “Me About You” (1967)
07. The Turtles – “You Know What I Mean” (1967)
08. The Turtles – “Gas Money” (1965)
09. The Turtles – “Cat in the Window” (1967)
10. The Turtles – “Elenore” (1968)

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Turtle Week – Part 2

Like most Americans I grew up listening to the Turtles’ “Happy Together” on the radio but it wasn’t until decades later- when I began researching and digging deeper into oldies music- that I discovered the rich, wonderful world of the Turtles’ music. The band’s feel-good Beatles-Beach Boys-Byrds sound seemed somehow fresh to my 21st century ears and their eclectic songs felt warm, positive, and fun-loving- just like how I imagined the Turtles’ sunny homeland of Southern California.

The Turtles rode the music charts at a time when average looking artists could still get by on their talent (lucky for them). Though they were capable of writing their own material, the Turtles also tapped groovy songwriters like Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Gerry Goffin, and Carole King. No matter the song, the Turtles had a knack for making it their own and when I listen to their music I am instantly teleported back in time to a ‘60s Malibu beach party or a Laurel Canyon hootenanny- and that’s what probably keeps me coming back for more. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. The Turtles – “John & Julie” (1969)

02. The Turtles – “Like It or Not” (1969)

03. The Turtles – “She’s My Girl” (1968)

04. The Turtles – “You Baby” (1966)

05. The Turtles – “Outside Chance” (1966)

06. The Turtles – “Happy Together” (1967)

07. The Turtles – “If We Only Had the Time” (1969)

08. The Turtles – “Wanderin’ Kind” (1965)

09. The Turtles – “Think I’ll Run Away” (1967)

10. The Turtles – “She’d Rather Be with Me” (1967)

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Turtle Week – Part 1

Well, I made it through April and May is looking pretty good right now. Warm weather, plenty of sunshine, and life springing forth around every corner. World Turtle Day is not until May 23 but I thought we’d get the celebration started a bit early since turtles are not only one of my favorite animals but also one of my favorite ‘60s bands!

The Turtles (from Los Angeles) may have been the first pop punk band and people have tried to label the group’s music everything from pop, classic rock, and psychedelic to folk-rock, garage rock, and sunshine pop. Sounds good to me! Here are some of my favorite Turtles songs. Enjoy Turtle Week!

01. The Turtles – “You Don’t Have to Walk in the Rain” (1969)

02. The Turtles – “Sound Asleep” (1968)

03. The Turtles – “I Get Out of Breath” (1966)

04. The Turtles – “Like the Seasons” (1967)

05. The Turtles – “Makin’ My Mind Up” (1967)

06. The Turtles – “Your Maw Said You Cried” (1965)

07. The Turtles – “It Was a Very Good Year” (1965)

08. The Turtles – “Food” (1968)

09. The Turtles – “I’m Chief Kamanawanalea (We’re the Royal Macadamia Nuts)” (1968)

10. The Turtles – “Somewhere Friday Night” (1969)

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Blue Jean Rock Poets II – Part 2

The ‘70s was the golden age of the singer-songwriters and for me the best of their music from that era has a dusty, down to earth quality about it like an old pair of blue jeans or comfortable leather boots. It just feels right. The best singer-songwriters know their audience and their music connects with cops and construction workers just as easily as with hippies and college kids. It is universal.

Al Stewart

Singer-songwriters sing of the everyman but are not above using strings to stir emotion and make the song better. Their lyrics are the main event- and are usually just a little bit weird. Why aren’t there more great songs like these today? Or am I just getting old? Here are some (more) of my favorites. Enjoy!

Cat Stevens

01. Al Stewart – “On the Border” (1976)
02. Paul Simon – “You Can Call Me Al” (1986)
03. Jackson Browne – “For a Dancer” (1974)
04. Elton John – “Daniel” (1973)
05. Jim Croce – “I Got a Name” (1973)
06. Bob Dylan – “Not Dark Yet” (1997)
07. Cat Stevens – “Peace Train” (1971)
08. Cat Stevens – “Where Do the Children Play?” (1970)
09. Jim Croce – “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” (1973)
10. Jackson Browne – “The Pretender” (1976)
11. Michael Johnson – “Bluer Than Blue” (1978)
12. Gordon Lightfoot – “Rainy Day People” (1978)
13. Bob Dylan – “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975)
14. Al Stewart – “Year of the Cat” (1976)
15. Warren Zevon – “Werewolves of London” (1978)
16. Gordon Lightfoot – “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976)
17. Gordon Lightfoot – “The Circle is Small” (1978)
18. Cat Stevens – “Tuesday’s Dead” (1971)
19. Gordon Lightfoot – “Daylight Katy” (1978)
20. Jim Croce – “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” (1972)

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