Bought the album at first release and it has stayed with me since. Even if a combined live/studio 2-LP set (not many bands have pulled off a live/studio combo 100% successfully), partly made from the leftovers of a failed musical/rock opera project, recorded at times of personal changes and confusion about musical directions - it remains one of their better and still stands strong in comparison to most of its kind. To my ears both stage and studio efforts are so good by themselves they could have made it as separate LP:s. The live album has two of my all time Byrds favorites. A wild sixteen minute "Eight Miles High" - more or less a psych guitar orgy - and the rudely attractive "Lover Of The Bayou". Studio album is without weak spots, topped by the three McGuinn/Levy compositions "Chestnut Mare", "All The Things" and "Just A Season" - all melodic and memorable. For some reason it just managed top 40 on Billboard, while the 45 pick "Chestnut Mare" only reached #121. It did better in Europe, notably in UK where the album got to #11 and single #19. Issued and reissued on vinyl, cassette and CD through the years, some with bonus tracks. Japan 2014 2-CD set (Sony SICP 30417/18) with fourteen extra cuts including mono single versions. Premiere US on Columbia (G 30127). First UK had label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and stickered matt fold/out cover with "Rock Buster" ad inners. (LYBÖ*) (XYGZ*)
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