Monday, June 29, 2015

"Eight Miles High": Saturday Music Club on Monday

The Byrds: "Eight Miles High" (perhaps their single best recording, a wonderful fusion of their folk, jazz, Indian raga, and other influences) 

 The Byrds in 1966:
Gene Clark, primary songwriter, vocals, misc. instruments
Roger "Jim" McGuinn, lead guitar, vocals
David Crosby, rhythm guitar,  vocals
Chris Hillman, bass guitar, vocals
Michael Clarke, drums



Gene Clark:


Acoustic Desert Rose Band:


Hüsker Dü:


Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3: (incomplete)


Maura and Pete Kennedy:


The Ventures:


Rufus Harley Band:


The Soulful Strings:


The Bob Thiele New Happy Times Orchestra with Gabor Szabo:


Index:


Roger McGuinn and Crowded House:


The Byrds at the Fillmore East closure concert, 1970: "Jesus is Just Alright" and "8MH":

(music begins at 2:23)
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10 comments:

  1. Jim C.June 29, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    Always good to hear from the unique Rufus Harley -- a true original.

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  2. Todd MasonJune 29, 2015 at 10:29 PM

    And as one who first encountered him in concert in the '90s, almost weird to see an image of him so young. A conversation at that first concert led to Katea Stitt jumping a bit salty with me. Ah, well.

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  3. Todd MasonJune 29, 2015 at 11:44 PM

    The more I hear the Thiele/Szabo, even with the slightly cumbersome brass chart, the more I like it. Particularly the jam at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Charlie RicciJune 30, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Thanks for posting this. I had no idea there were so many versions of this great Byrds song. I especially like the Desert Rose Band's acoustic version.

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  5. Todd MasonJune 30, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Hillman's bands have been recorded doing the song frequently...and I decided I wasn't compelled by Leo Kottke's versions, Golden Earring's, nor Roxy Music's, though CSNY's version trembled on the verge of inclusion. They await you, if you seek 'em. And you're quite welcome...thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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  6. K. A. LaityJune 30, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    A plethora of versions! Such a terrific tune.

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  7. Todd MasonJune 30, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Indeed...keeping it down to 13 was a little tough...

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  8. Charlie RicciJune 30, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    I know this is sick but you should hear the cacophony when you play all 13 versions at once.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Todd MasonJune 30, 2015 at 3:07 PM

    I have enjoyed that functionality in the past! Even two or three at once can be bracing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Todd MasonJuly 18, 2024 at 8:07 AM

    A fine grouping of covers released on some sort of recording of the song, though it misses the Thiele Orchestra w/Szabo, at least at time of my posting the link here:
    https://secondhandsongs.com/work/1278/versions

    ReplyDelete

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