During his time as a member of the Byrds and the post-Byrds projects that soon followed, Roger McGuinn averaged more than one album per year from 1965-1980. From 1981-2004, McGuinn became far less prolific, averaging just one album every six years. After ending a musical partnership with Chris Hillman in 1980 (which also included Gene Clark in its early stages), McGuinn took a decade to release another album. That and the three that followed were released came on four different labels. The fourth of those was the 2004 release, Limited Edition, on his own April First Productions label (He has followed this CD with The Folk Den Project in 2005, also on the April First label).
Limited Edition is a series of recordings that feature McGuinn playing in the style that made him distinctive as a member of the Byrds. Some songs are originals (all of which were written in collaboration with his wife, Camilla), but others are renditions of folk tunes, done with his signature guitar jangle. The album, though, begins with McGuinn's take on "If I Needed Someone," a Beatles song performed in tribute to its author, George Harrison. McGuinn has cited Harrison as the reason he started playing Rickenbacker guitars, which have a distinctive electric twang. "If I Needed Someone," which Harrison wrote after hearing the Byrds song "The Bells Of Rhymney," is a decent tribute recording, though it strays little from the way the Beatles recorded it.
The album follows with "Parade Of Lost Dreams," an original composition which takes a look at how rock music became more of a business venture and less of a musical venture. He extends his look into other areas of American society, where the pursuit of the almighty dollar is more important than making time for pursuits that are more rewarding. McGuinn sets a sad tone with his singing and playing. "Castanet Dance" is a decidedly lighter, though just as enjoyable, look at the ups and downs of the commitments one makes in any long-term relationship. "Echoes Live" is a good live instrumental piece, where McGuinn displays his skill on the 12-string acoustic guitar, with riffs from old songs from his Byrds days, such as "Eight Miles High" and "Chestnut Mare."
The folk selections get a fresh interpretation. "Shenandoah" sounds like it could have been an outtake from his Byrds days. "When The Saints Go Marching In," on the other hand, sounds more like a folk song than a recollection of his previous glories. It's a lively take on a song that is known for both its New Orleans flavor and religious overtones. "Saint James Infirmary" was first recorded by Cab Calloway in 1930, but McGuinn brings his own mournful tone to the final reality, thanks to his vocals and bluesy guitar playing. The folk covers help to create a bridge between his musical past and his current work.
McGuinn takes some musical risks, though, that fall flat. He tries to merge folk and hip-hop on his take of the English ballad, "Shady Grove," but his melding of styles, which McGuinn has dubbed "pho-kop," is a mess that will not please most fans of either folk or hip-hop. It's a song that simply isn't down with anybody. He also strays from his signature style on "Southbound 95," a blues-based truck driving song that says nothing new, insightful, or amusing about life in the cab of an 18-wheeler. "Made In China" is a darker, more heavy-handed take on life that was more effective in "Parade Of Lost Dreams." While I still admire "May The Road Rise To Meet You," I find no reason for its inclusion here, as McGuinn has more energetic takes of this track on Live From Mars (One is a live version, the other a studio version).
Limited Edition does a better job of bringing out McGuinn's musical personality than his previous CD, Treasures From The Folk Den, in 2001. Limited Edition has missteps in style and in songwriting, but this album shows McGuinn bridging the musical gap between the rocker who rose to stardom with the Byrds and the musician who is dedicated to creating an audio archive of other people's music that he wishes to preserve. Limited Edition is not McGuinn's best work as a solo artist or as a band member, but it's an album that, on the whole, is filled with familiar sounds and good music from a still-evolving musician. It's the good parts of Limited Edition that compensates for its faults.
Limited Edition is not available online. It may be obtained online through Amazon.com or through McGuinn's own website, mcguinn.com.
Thank you, Shelly (lambchops) for adding this title to the Epinions database for me.
Tracks:
1. If I Needed Someone
2. Parade Of Lost Dreams
3. Shady Grove
4. James Alley Blues
5. On And On
6. Southbound 95
7. Castanet Dance
8. Shenandoah
9. When The Saints Go Marching In
10. Saint James Infirmary
11. May The Road Rise To Meet You
12. Echoes Live
13. Made In China
This is also an entry in the Expanding The Database write-off hosted by captaind. Other entries and rules may be found here.
Thank you too, Dave.
Recommended:
