Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Bernie Leadon - A Flying Heart Mirrors Progression

Ex-Eagles member Bernie Leadon is living history in todays view.
Leadons true love lay in country music, as he began playing in a California bluegrass outfit in 1962, the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers together with Chris Hillman (see +Byrds Fame).
After relocating to Florida by the mid '60s, Leadon joined the folk band, Hearts and Flowers, appearing on their second and final recording, 1968's Of Horses, Kids and Forgotten Women, before forming a new group, Dillard and Clark.
But once more, Leadon's tenure with the group would be fleeting, as he played on all of their 1968 debut, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark, and only a few select tracks on their sophomore effort, 1969's Through the Morning, Through the Night. Up next for Leadon was a brief stretch with Linda Ronstadt's backing band, the Corvettes, before joining up with one of the first ever country rock outfits, the Flying Burrito Brothers, in the fall of 1969. Leadon remained a member of the Burritos for a few years - appearing on such albums as 1970's Burrito Deluxe, 1971's self-titled release, and 1972's Last of the Red Hot Burritos. Upon leaving the Burritos, Leadon signed on once more as a member of Linda Ronstadt's backing band, which included guitarist/singer Glenn Frey and drummer/singer Don Henley. Shortly thereafter, the trio decided to form their own group, the Eagles, which was rounded out with the addition of ex-Poco bassist Randy Meisner. The band perfected and popularized the Poco country rock style. The Leadon-era of the group lasted for a total of four albums (which many longtime Eagles fans consider the group's best) - 1972's self-titled debut, 1973's Desperado, 1974's On the Border, and 1975's One of These Nights - on which Leadon penned such underrated gems as My Man and Bitter Creek among others. But the band's never ending and grueling touring/recording schedule began to wear Leadon out, to the point where the guitarist decided to leave the group as a self-described act of survival. In 1977, the guitarist formed the Bernie Leadon/Michael Georgiades Band, who issued a lone album the same year, Natural Progressions, before splitting up. The '80s saw Leadon back Chris Hillman for a pair of releases, 1982's Morning Sky and 1984's Desert Rose, and form a Christian Bluegrass group, Ever Call Ready, who issued a lone self-titled release in 1985(->see +Byrds Fame).
Two years later, Leadon replaced John McEuen in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - appearing on the recordings Hold On (1987), Workin' Band (1988), and Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2 (1989). Shortly after the dawn of the '90s, Leadon launched the novelty act Run C & W(->see +Eagles Fame), which specialized in doing country versions of rap songs (and issued two releases, 1993's Into the Twangy First Century and 1995's Row vs. Wade). In 2003, he released his solo CD, Mirror.

17 comments:

TheSeeker said...

1968 Hearts & Flowers -
Of Horses, Kids & Forgotten
Women
@224
http://lix.in/-512665

1971 Flying Burrito Brothers -
Flying Burrito Brothers
@320
http://lix.in/-4e1923

1977 Bernie Leadon/Michael
Georgiades Band -
Natural Progessions
@VBR
http://lix.in/-4c9282

2003 Bernie Leadon - Mirror
@192
http://lix.in/-55ba48

Jimi said...

Thanks very much for all this good stuff.

Anonymous said...

Great upload - but the Natural Progressions album appears to be a 4-minute sampler only ... any chance of the full release (or am I downloading this wrong ??!!)

TheSeeker said...

@Anonymous:

if this is true, then it's an accident. But let me check it...

TheSeeker said...

@Anonymous:
No, it's the full album. If your mp3 player only show 4 minutes then extract the album(see->readme.txt) or try another player.

TheSeeker

Anonymous said...

How do i download John Stewart on Time HaS Told Me Blog?No D/L LINKS

TheSeeker said...

@Anonymous:
Go to "Time has told me" and klick on
IMPORTANT on the right side.
What album you were looking for? Maybe I can help.

TheSeeker

Anonymous said...

Thanks indeed for your reply.
The album i require is John Stewart - Live at the Turf Inn Scotland.
Still can't find a link.

Anonymous said...

I meant to say your blog has some great music onboard.
Cheers

TheSeeker said...

@Anonymous:
I have it, Live @ the turf will be posted after the next 2 WBL.

TheSeeker

Anonymous said...

You are a gentleman sir,many thanks in anticipation of the John Stewart post.

Anonymous said...

You have some really great old music here on your blog. Thanks for posting these!

Anonymous said...

Question - I heard that for a short time in the 80's that Bernie and Randy were in 'Black Tie' together. If this is true - what happened - that would have been great to have them together like that.

Anonymous said...

It agree, the useful message

Anonymous said...

thanks for the Bernie Leadon Mirror upload. I have had Natural Progressions for many years and saw Leadon Georgiades open for Linda Ronstadt at the Greek Theater at UC Berkeley in 1978. Great show - but the crowd didn't respond at all - they were unfamiliar with the mellow music. Glass Off and Rotation, and How Can You Live Without Love -all unrecognized classics. Best regards and thanks again DM in SB, CA

Copacetic47 said...

many many thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the Natural Progessions. I had it on vinyl and it disappeared years ago. Very cool
record. Good memories. TY Bud.