Liner Notes: The Gary Byrd Experience
by DJ TREW
Usually while out digging, my senses enter 'break-dar' mode, tuning-in to words like soul, inferno and chitlins. If an album cover has dudes sporting orange leisure suits, it's immediately added to the 'keeper' pile. Additional consideration is given if they've paired light-blue tuxedo shirts with said suits. And as politically incorrect as it may be, the group's racial breakdown is always an indicator. Generally, the most intriguing finds have a 'racial ratio' weighed heavily in one direction, as with an all-Puerto Rican band with one Swedish cat, who plays timbales. That's when you know you're holding something.
Of course ‘break-dar’ can often fail, leaving you at the listening station trudging through a pile of Polka records with covers of 'Spinning Wheel.' But occasionally we find refuge in well-crafted liner notes.
In my past experience, there have been three types: congratulatory, analytical, and completely useless.
'Congratulatory' liner notes will read like one-sheets, offering bios, accomplishments and plenty of hype. These aren't completely useless, but it becomes tough to glean an honest perspective from an Ad man. With 'analytical' notes, you get minor amounts of hype accompanied by a track-by-track break down the album. The perfect examples are Blue Note records from the 60s, rating: fairly useful. Those that fall into the 'completely useless' category begin something like this: "It's rare to read liner notes which show originality, so when listening to so and so I decided that..." from which point the writer rambles on, dropping unrelated anecdotes left and right. However amusing, these don't offer much in the way of 'break-dar compatible' data.
But recently, GLmag scientists discovered a fourth strain of liner notes originating, not surprisingly, in New York. These are highly evolved statements which answer, in explicit detail, every possible question you could have about an album. Bear witness to the next evolution.
From Presenting the Gary Byrd Experience (RCA 1972):
"If people only knew the power of the people, we wouldn't be moving so slow." Gary Byrd's saucy Radio Land voice speaks the truth to the people, the gut funky electric guitar crackling out the beat under the voice. The heavy rhythms of drums, brass and female singers produce a great sound with a great message.
Within three sentences, the writer broke down the entire album’s lyrical and musical content. And although we’ve read plenty of album summaries, never before has our lab seen such efficient accuracy.
So what did we learn here kids? The correct answer is: this is a radio DJ's album where he speaks positive Black Power messages over 'gut funky guitar' and 'heavy rhythms.' If that wasn't absolutely clear, you need to clean the crumbs from your eyes and submit willfully to the furry pimp hat.
Actually having listened to this LP, I can vouch for the liner notes truthfulness. Fans of ‘gut funkiness’ will want to cop this immediately. But beware; thou shalt not get it twisted. If you're expecting heavy dancefloor bangers, you'll be left there expecting. Actually let me clarify that statement. The backing tracks are absolutely bananas but once Gary drops in with his properly enunciated, spoken word musings, all bets are off. It’s all about reading between the lines.
If there are three sides to every story, the ultimate reality of The Gary Byrd Experience would be like listening to a funky PSA from the 70s, as read by Alfonso Ribeiro. Despite how Gary’s message may relate to you personally, some might consider this spoken word/funk amalgam a level of Hell. Others may revel in the kitsch factor. If you find yourself in the former category, we suggest watching a few episodes of ‘Fresh Prince’ or 'Silver Spoons' to get yourself acclimated. Only then should you attempt a listening session.
mp3 dowload :: Gary Byrd Experience - Black is Beautiful
Usually while out digging, my senses enter 'break-dar' mode, tuning-in to words like soul, inferno and chitlins. If an album cover has dudes sporting orange leisure suits, it's immediately added to the 'keeper' pile. Additional consideration is given if they've paired light-blue tuxedo shirts with said suits. And as politically incorrect as it may be, the group's racial breakdown is always an indicator. Generally, the most intriguing finds have a 'racial ratio' weighed heavily in one direction, as with an all-Puerto Rican band with one Swedish cat, who plays timbales. That's when you know you're holding something.
Of course ‘break-dar’ can often fail, leaving you at the listening station trudging through a pile of Polka records with covers of 'Spinning Wheel.' But occasionally we find refuge in well-crafted liner notes.
In my past experience, there have been three types: congratulatory, analytical, and completely useless.
'Congratulatory' liner notes will read like one-sheets, offering bios, accomplishments and plenty of hype. These aren't completely useless, but it becomes tough to glean an honest perspective from an Ad man. With 'analytical' notes, you get minor amounts of hype accompanied by a track-by-track break down the album. The perfect examples are Blue Note records from the 60s, rating: fairly useful. Those that fall into the 'completely useless' category begin something like this: "It's rare to read liner notes which show originality, so when listening to so and so I decided that..." from which point the writer rambles on, dropping unrelated anecdotes left and right. However amusing, these don't offer much in the way of 'break-dar compatible' data.
But recently, GLmag scientists discovered a fourth strain of liner notes originating, not surprisingly, in New York. These are highly evolved statements which answer, in explicit detail, every possible question you could have about an album. Bear witness to the next evolution.
From Presenting the Gary Byrd Experience (RCA 1972):
"If people only knew the power of the people, we wouldn't be moving so slow." Gary Byrd's saucy Radio Land voice speaks the truth to the people, the gut funky electric guitar crackling out the beat under the voice. The heavy rhythms of drums, brass and female singers produce a great sound with a great message.
Within three sentences, the writer broke down the entire album’s lyrical and musical content. And although we’ve read plenty of album summaries, never before has our lab seen such efficient accuracy.
So what did we learn here kids? The correct answer is: this is a radio DJ's album where he speaks positive Black Power messages over 'gut funky guitar' and 'heavy rhythms.' If that wasn't absolutely clear, you need to clean the crumbs from your eyes and submit willfully to the furry pimp hat.
Actually having listened to this LP, I can vouch for the liner notes truthfulness. Fans of ‘gut funkiness’ will want to cop this immediately. But beware; thou shalt not get it twisted. If you're expecting heavy dancefloor bangers, you'll be left there expecting. Actually let me clarify that statement. The backing tracks are absolutely bananas but once Gary drops in with his properly enunciated, spoken word musings, all bets are off. It’s all about reading between the lines.
If there are three sides to every story, the ultimate reality of The Gary Byrd Experience would be like listening to a funky PSA from the 70s, as read by Alfonso Ribeiro. Despite how Gary’s message may relate to you personally, some might consider this spoken word/funk amalgam a level of Hell. Others may revel in the kitsch factor. If you find yourself in the former category, we suggest watching a few episodes of ‘Fresh Prince’ or 'Silver Spoons' to get yourself acclimated. Only then should you attempt a listening session.
mp3 dowload :: Gary Byrd Experience - Black is Beautiful
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