byrdsongs, lxxx

It’s amazing what ten years off the grid did for Roger McGuinn creatively. Back From Rio is by no means a perfect record, but it’s easily the best thing he’d done since the Byrds’ Untitled, 20 years or so earlier. I’m not sure what accounts for this rebirth of sorts. Maybe he just needed the rest. Or maybe the imminent induction of the Byrds into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame put him in touch with the brilliance of his band’s classic period. Or maybe once punk and post-punk finally destroyed the dominance of the FM Corporate Rock Behemoth, McGuinn drew inspiration from all the Byrds-influenced music that appeared on the scene. Whatever the reason, Back From Rio is a welcome return to form. Tonight’s song, a duet with Tom Petty, is the single from the album, supposedly written when McGuinn joined the Heartbreakers while they were the backing band for Bob Dylan on on the True Confessions tour in the mid 80s. Sadly, I was too much of a punk/post-punk snob at the time to see this tour. But the idea of McGuinn and Mike Campbell playing together on the same stage makes me salivate. Campbell gets a playing credit on Back From Rio, though I’m not sure which tracks he plays on. I’d guess he’s definitely playing on King of the Hill, an orgy of luscious guitars layered on top of one another. I think the song would be even better if McGuinn sang the whole thing instead of giving a verse to Petty, but this is just quibbling.  Their braying voices are quite similar and, in any case, the singing is beside the point. This one is undoubtedly all about those beautiful guitars.  Welcome back from Rio, Mr. McGuinn!