The Byrds – Unreleased Alternate “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” LP Acetate
An ultra rare acetate containing a completely alternate version of The Byrds 1969 album Dr. Byrds & Mr Hyde, taken exclusively from the initial recording sessions at Columbia Studios in Nashville (and dated October 16, 1968, before the band began further sessions in Nashville on 10/28/68). This seven track version is noted in the album’s Wikipedia page as follows:
An acetate version of Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, dated October 16, 1968 and containing a seven-track programme for the album is known to exist. At this point the album consisted of the songs “Old Blue”, “King Apathy III”, “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man” and “This Wheel’s on Fire” on side one, with “Your Gentle Way of Loving Me”, “Nashville West” and “Bad Night at the Whiskey” on side two.
This acetate contains alternate and unreleased versions of every song that appears on the final album, as follows:
Side 1-
Old Blue
Very different mix, without acoustic guitar overdubs, and much more prominent drums and handclaps
King Apathy 111
3:27 on Acetate, vs 2:56 on LP. Very different mix, possibly different guitar and bass parts
Drug Store Truck Driving Man
Very different mix, much clearer, more bass and drums, different guitar parts, possibly different vocals; no “This one’s for you Ralph” spoken overdub, 5 seconds longer than LP version
This Wheels on Fire
An alternate and unreleased version; 3:56 vs. 4:40 on LP, different tempo, very different throughout. Acetate version ends with guitar drone ending with almost cartoon like voiceings, not present here. No bomb explosion at end. The Byrds re-recorded this song 12/4/68, after this acetate was cut.
Side 2
Your Gentle Ways of Loving me
Very different mix
Nashville West
Alternate version or very different mix without drums, woodblock, or vocals, different guitar
Bad Night at The Whiskey
Very different mix
In 1977, Columbia issued a remixed and reissued version of the album with bonus tracks, but this is a 1968 acetate cut before The Byrds reentered the studio in late October 1968 to remix/overdub/record and in the case of This Wheel’s On Fire, re-record. In VG+ condition, this plays EX, without serious faults. A truly rare and museum quality Byrds collectible.
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