Gene Clark (solo acoustic) 1989-05-12 Westboro, MA

Gene Clark (solo acoustic)
May 12, 1989
Old Vienna Kaffeehaus, Westboro, MA
Solo Acoustic Performance
Audience recording (David M), good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Gene continued doing some solo shows through Spring 1989, and then he did a series of duo shows once again with Carla Olson. There was even plans for the 2 of them to do another album together in 1989-90, but other than a couple of new songs, it never developed further. At this time, he was also caught in the middle of the ongoing struggle over the 'The Byrds' naming rights. Michael Clarke was on one side, as he tried to use the Byrds name for his band, and McGuinn, Hillman, and Crosby, were on the other side, opposing Clarke, and trying to keep the name for their own endeavors. Gene didn't take sides and tried to stay out of it, but ended up more or less alienating both groups. He also continued to have ongoing health problems, mainly due to his history of drinking and drug use. The battling Byrds were able to make peace enough to all join together for their induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in early 1991, where all 5 performed together as The Byrds one last time. But little did they know at the time that this was to be one Gene's last live performances, because on May 24, 1991, Gene was found dead of a heart attack at age 46. But his music lives on. This recording is from another performance at the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro, just about 7 months after his previous appearance there (and the previous post). But although not much time had passed since that previous performance, he sounds much older and more tired here, with less clarity and richness in his voice. Nonetheless, it is still a fine performance, well worth hearing, and representative of these final years. But it is a bit sad to hear this and know that he would not be around much longer. So, just try to celebrate his great music. This is another fine David M recording, that was only recently made available to others, thanks to David M and the efforts of Rocking-Byrd.

Tracklist:
1. Spanish Guitar (6:15)
2. She Darked The Sun (2:58)
3. Silver Raven (4:49)
4. She Don't Care About Time (4:57)
5. Mr Tambourine Man (8:18)
6. Del Gato (2:45)
7. My Back Pages (3:09)
8. Train Leaves Here This Morning (4:19)
9. Rain Song (4:06)
10. On The Run With A Loaded Gun (4:14)
11. My Marie (6:59)
12. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better (2:40)
13. I Shall Be Released (4:40)
14. Eight Miles High (3:08)
15. Satisfied Mind (5:38)
16. Full Circle (2:26)
17. Kansas City Southern (3:07)

Artwork Included
Thanks to David M. for the original files. Re-levelled, re-balanced, de-clicked, etc. and originally made available by Rocking--Byrd (rocking--byrd.blogspot.com)

New Link1 (Updated 10/08/21)
Gene_Clark_1989-05-12_Westboro.rar

Gene Clark (solo acoustic) 1988-10-16 Westboro, MA

Gene Clark (solo acoustic)
October 16, 1988
Old Vienna Kaffeehaus, Westboro, MA 
Audience recording, very good sound quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

To wrap up November and this very brief look at later Gene Clark shows, I have a couple of solo acoustic shows from '88-'89 that represent some of his last tours before his unfortunate death in 1991. First, then, is this 1988 show at the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro, MA. This is a very good quality recording of his solo show, a relaxed evening of Gene playing many of his best songs amid stories and anecdotes. He is in very good and strong voice here, making it one of the best shows from this era. By this time, Gene was suffering from several health problems. Earlier in '88, he had extensive surgery for severe ulcers, removing a major part of his stomach and intestines. Although he seems fine here, health problems would plague him over the next few years. So, enjoy this fine evening with Gene, as unfortunately, his time was starting to run short.

tracklist:
1. Silver Raven (6:03)
2. Full Circle (3:12)
3. My Back Pages (3:42)
4. Fair And Tender Ladies (5:35)
5. Shades Of Blue (5:07)
6. Mr Tambourine Man (6:22)
7. Train Leaves Here This Morning (4:19)
8. Last Thing On My Mind (8:17)
9. Eight Miles High (3:38)
10. Turn Turn Turn (4:03)
11. Rain Song (4:05)
12. Four Walls (3:08)
13. Tried So Hard (3:59)
14. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (4:53)
15. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (3:52)
16. Kansas City Southern (3:49)
17. Gypsy Rider (4:21)

Acquired from and previously posted by Rocking-Byrd (rocking--byrd.blogspot.com)

New Link! (Updated 10/8/21)
Gene_Clark_1988-10-16_Westboro.rar

Next up: a show from this same venue in 1989.

Gene Clark & Carla Olson - 1987-03-06 - Santa Monica, CA

Gene Clark & Carla Olson
March 6, 1987
My Place, Santa Monica, CA
Audience recording, very good quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Artwork Included

In fall 1986, in between tours with the various versions of his Byrds Tribute Band, Gene went into the studio to record some tracks with Carla Olson, vocalist for the Textones, and friends of Gene. These were all acoustic songs sung as a duo, and lead to the release of an album (So Rebellious A Lover) in 1987. The album consisted of 3 new Clark songs, 3 Olson songs, and some well-chosen covers. The album was generally well-received, but was much more laid-back then most of his recent bands were. Gene and Carla, along with a backing band of bass, drums, and piano toured to support the album in 1987, and this is a high quality recordingof their show in Santa Monica. Good stuff, and a nice change of pace from the Firebyrds and Byrds Tribute Band. I'm not sure of the origin of this recording, but it sounds very good, and was previously posted by rocking-byrd. So, here's yet another aspect to the wonderful songs of Gene Clark.

Tracklist:
1. Deportee (3:39)
2. Del Gato (6:00)
3. Are We Still Making Love (4:03)
4. Set You Free This Time (5:29)
5. Why Did You Leave Me Today (4:12)
6. The Drifter (5:07)
7. Every Angel In Heaven (3:43)
8. Hot Burrito #1 (4:51)
9. Almost Saturday Night (3:13)
10. Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home (3:44)

Gene Clark (vocals, harmonica, guitar)
Carla Olson (vocals, guitar)
Tom Stevens (bass)
Michael Huey (drums)
Skip Edwards (piano)

Previously posted and made available by Rocking-byrd (at rocking--byrd.blogspot.com)

New link! (Updated 10/8/21)
Gene_Clark__Carla_Olson_1987_Santa_Monica.rar

Gene Clark & The Byrds Tribute - 1985-02-17 - Boston

Gene Clark & The Byrds Tribute
20th Anniversary Tribute To The Byrds
1985-02-17
The Channel, Boston, MA
Audience recording, average quality
mp3@320 kbps

I've received a few requests for more Gene Clark. While I don't have anymore previously uncirculated stuff by Gene, I can post a few things that perhaps have not been very widely circulated. Here is a Boston show from Gene's controversial 1985 Byrds Tribute shows. In late 1984, after touring with his Firebyrds band, which included original Byrd Michael Clake, Gene was interested in trying to get the Byrds back together for a 20th Anniversary tour in 1985. Apparently, he contacted the other original mambers, but they were not interested, so he put together his own 'tribute' band, which in addition to Michael Clarke consisted of former Byrd John York, and an assortment of other famous 'B' band alums (The Band, Burrito Brothers, Beach Boys, etc.), including Rick Roberts, Rick Danko, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, and Blondie Chaplin. Once this group started touring as a '20th Anniversary Tribute to the Byrds', the remaining Byrds members were not at all happy about it, and accused Gene of misrepresenting the group as "The Byrds", and criticized him for not being able to make it on his own. The music and shows, however, were quite good, and there are a number of decent recordings of these shows. This Boston show, although only an OK recording, represents the full 'Byrds' portion of the show, and is a very good representation of the band and these shows (an earlier set was apparently performed by a make-shift version of the Flying Burrito Brothers, featuring most of the same performers from the Byrds tribute, but without Gene Clark or Rick Danko, performing burrito Brothers songs - this part of the show was not recorded). This is another fine David M recording, one that was previously posted by Rocking-byrd, so much thanks to them for making this available.

Tribute Band: Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, John York, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Rick Roberts, Jim Goodall, Greg Harris, Blondie Chaplin, Rick Danko

Tracklist:
1. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better (2:42)
2. Set You Free This Time (4:45)
3. Chimes Of Freedom (5:02)
4. Full Circle (5:10)
5. Sail On Sailor (3:41)
6. Mr Tambourine Man (5:50)
7. My Back Pages (3:23)
8. Band Introdution (1:01)
9. You Ain't Going Nowhere (3:59)
10. Eight Miles High (5:00)
11. Turn Turn Turn (4:20)

Artwork Included
Previously Posted by Rocking--Byrd (rocking--byrd.blogspot.com)

New Link! (Updated 10/8/21)
Gene_Clark_1985-02-17_Byrds_Tribute_Boston.rar

Roger McGuinn & Gene Clark - 1978-03-15 - Willamantic, CT

Roger McGuinn & Gene Clark
March 15, 1978
Shaboo Inn, Willamantic, CT
Audience Recording, average quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Artwork Included

Here's another rarely heard show from Roger McGuinn, this time with his old Byrds mate, Gene Clark. After touring with his band and solo throughout 1973 & 1974, Roger joined up with Bob Dylan and friends for the Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975&1976 (many bootleg recordings exist for these great Rolling Thunder shows). Then in late 1977 and early 1978 Roger got back together with Gene Clark for a series of concert dates as a duo. Shortly after, in late Spring 1978, they were joined by another of their ex-Byrds mates, Chris Hillman for further touring. This combination proved successful, known as McGuinn, Clark, & Hillman, and they recorded 2 studio albums together (1979-1980), before Clark left again, leaving McGuinn and Hillman to continue on for a time as a touring duo and a subsequent album (1981). Although the McGuinn, Clark, and Hillman combination was successful, many Byrds fans disdained the overly slick production and commercial sound of their studio albums and media appearances, and preferred the more laidback and natural stylings of the McGuinn-Clark shows. So, here is an example of those McGuinn-Clark shows, before the studio glitz of the MCH albums. Again, this is a rarely heard David M. recording, not all that great quality, but certainly plenty listenable and entertaining, and an opportunity to hear these 2 Byrds greats performing together as a duo.    

Setlist:
1. The True One (Gene) (3:19)
2. Denver Or Whenever (Gene) (3:22)
3. Silver Raven (Gene) (3:28)
4. Ballad Of Easy Rider (Roger) (2:09)
5. 5D (Roger) (2:20)
6. Dreamland (Roger) (2:43)
7. Mr Spaceman (Gene & Roger) (3:43)
8. He Was A Friend Of Mine (3:08)
9. Feelin' Higher (4:15)
10. Don't You Write Her Off (3:11)
11. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better (3:11)
12. Chestnut Mare (6:07)
13. Crazy Ladies (3:44)
14. Train Leaves Here This Morning (4:12)
15. Mr Tambourine Man (5:14)
16. Bagful Of Money (3:53)
17. Release Me Girl (4:00)
18. You Ain't Going Nowhere (4:46)
19. Fair And Tender Ladies (3:06)
20. Turn Turn Turn (3:20)
21. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (4:45)
22. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star (2:33)
23. Eight Miles HIgh (4:29)
24. Season Song (Bye Bye Baby) (3:55)

Many thanks to David for the files, and to Rocking-Byrd for originally making this available through his private blog (rocking--byrd.blogspot.com).

New Link! (Updated 09/18/21)
McGuinn-Clark_Shaboo_Inn_Willamantic_1978-03-15.rar

Roger McGuinn (w/band) 1973-09-23 - Boston, MA

Roger McGuinn (w/band)
September 23, 1973
Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA
"The Adventures of Roger McGuinn"
Audience recording, fair-average quality
mp3@320 kbps
Artwork Included

Here's some more Roger McGuinn, this one was recorded during Roger's first tour with a band after the Byrds disbanded (1973). This comes from just about 6 months before the 1974 solo Cambridge shows featured in the previous posts. So, it's very interesting to compare these full band versions with the solo versions from those shows. Although this show is much shorter, and the audio quality is not very good, I thought it was still worth posting as an example of Roger's band at that time. Thus, although not the best audio, there are very few recordings from this tour, and prior to Rocking-byrd making this David M. recording available through his blog earlier this year, this had never been circulated, so this has some historical significance. Anyway, here is some more Roger from the early '70's, from a somewhat rare show.

1. Get To You (3:41)
2. Hanoi Hannah (3:29)
3. Tiffany Queen (3:00)
4. Bag Full Of Money (3:50)
5. Lost My Drivin' Wheel (4:04)
6. Tuning (1:32)
7. I'm So Restless (2:49)
8. Draggin' (3:34)
9. M'linda (3:30)
10. Same Old Sound (2:27)
11. Chesnut Mare (5:25)

Roger McGuinn (guitar,vocals)
David Vaught (bass)
Mike Wofford (keyboards)
John Guerin (drums)

Concert recorded and files provided by David M. Many thanks to him.
Files re-joined, de-clicked, re-balanced, re-levelled by Rocking-Byrd, and previously made available through his private blog (rocking--byrd.blogspot.com).

New Link! (Updated 10/08/21)
Roger_McGuinn_Boston_Orpheum_Theater_1973-09-23.rar