The Byrd Who Flew Alone: The Triumphs and Tragedy of Gene Clark (2013)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This is a great film on Gene Clark's life--nicely produced with a lot of good interviews with people who knew Gene. I especially enjoyed the contributions of McGuinn, Crosby and Hillman, and of the three, Hillman in particular. Of course, all these guys need documentaries as well. You might have guessed that I have been a life-long fan of these artists. I have been listening to them ever since the release of Mr. Tambourine Man. As a musician, and singer-songwriter, I emulated them and have performed their music. Feel a Whole Lot Better was always a staple in my bands, as was Tambourine Man, Mr. Spaceman, Long Time Gone, and so on. As much as I appreciate the Kendalls for the time, effort, money invested in their film, I personally am/was ready for The Music of Gene Clark documentary. I don't suppose the Kendalls can do a Part Two. Some of what I was looking for was relegated to a feature on Clark as an "artist." Perhaps, for most people, they need to have a sense of who Clark was, but I feel that too much time is given in the film to the mayhem of drunkenness and drugs which eventually destroyed Gene's life. This leaves me feeling very sad. Again, I'm ready for an emphasis on Gene's music, which for at least ten years was a soundtrack for my own life.When I wrote some articles on the internet some ten years ago, I suggested that Turn Turn Turn would have been a huge classic if only several songs had been dropped in favor of She Don't Care About Time and She Has a Way. (Yes, I know the others wanted to get songwriting royalties.) Set You Free This Time was wonderfully done, but as some in the film intimated--his songs were generally melancholic and slow. Did anybody have a clue whether he was clinically depressed? Eight Miles High was a classic! And I would like to hear discussion at this point about what were the greatest singles of rock during the Sixties. I would vote for Eight Miles High being in the top five! These songs lay the groundwork for "Echoes." This song should be discussed for its poetry and how Clark rates against the songs Dylan had written (Could Leon Russell not be found for an interview?) Tried So Hard and Keep on Pushin' make Clark a candidate for being a founder of country-rock, along with Hillman and Parsons, and even the Beatles for that matter. Surely, this is not a point to dismiss. I always wondered why Clark chose the Gosdins for backup singing, and why the producer practically drowned out Clark's voice at times. I recall Dillard and Clark not getting very favorable reviews, but Clark was yet writing very poignant songs. A particular favorite is "Something's Wrong" on the first album. There should be some speculation as to Clark's lyric on "leaving here just to die." Again, was he depressed? Or, is this a yearning for meaning in his life? Does anybody know if he was searching spiritually speaking (Somebody once wrote an article on this topic?) "Polly" is another melancholy Clark classic, which we know was recently covered by Kraus and Plant. I always loved the song from the day the album came out. Matthews did it as well. Its the beginning of Clark's more mystical-type lyrics (although She Don't Care about Time hints in this direction). It would be great if someone could do a "best of Gene Clark" disc, if not a boxed-set at some point. I think "White Light" is perhaps the most cohesive and high-quality single body of work that Gene did (beyond No Other). The laid-back production by Jesse Ed Davis is perfect for Gene's work. "With Tomorrow" was one of my personal favorites. How about some discussion of the poetry of "The Virgin." How about some praise for "Spanish Guitar." Byrds Reunion. Clark shined foremost on this. Too bad infighting ruined what could have been such a great album (Too bad those earlier Gene-Byrds recordings of Full Circle couldn't have been used). Again, was Full Circle pointing to a philosophical/spiritual direction that Gene was heading? Anyway, you get my drift. Gene was the "Gypsy Rider", the musical vagabond, singing his "two-wheeled symphony." His music deserves better than a chronicle of his tortured soul. Other questions that occurred to me: Why was the "silver raven" solo performance included in the features, when it clearly shows his voice being in very bad shape--this should not have been included; 2) Where was Clark's second wife?, 3) Could not Rick Roberts have been interviewed? 4) Where was an interview with John Einerson? And finally, why close with "I Shall be Released?" Surely, there is some Clark/Olson footage with some of Gene's songs--we don't need to hear him doing Dylan as a closing statement. I applaud the Kendalls for their gift to us. I only hope that maybe they could build upon this for a second film on the music.

If anyone has read Einarson's biography of Gene Clark, Mr. Tambourine Man, this movie will tell a familiar tail but what is wonderful is hearing those stories from the musicians and friends that were there when it all went down. David Crosby, who is not known for humility, seems in awe of Clark at times and The Byrds in their original lineup. McGuinn is matter-of-fact but Hillman seems like the warmest of the bunch, the only Byrd who also smiles and laughs in his segments. This also reminded me of Be Here to Love Me, the wonderful film about Townes Van Zandt, in that is does not deify its subject but rather portrays them for the talented but trouble person that they are; the talent is celebrated but you feel the pain that they caused their family, friends and band mates. Enough detail for the casual Clark or Byrds fan, but an abundance of clips and audio to satisfy the die-hards. Well done indeed.

A beautifully made documentary about an enormously talented man with a rather sad story. I've been a fan of Gene Clark since the first Byrds album and I was so very moved when I saw this. Chris, David and Roger seemed forthcoming and sincere when talking about Gene in a way I had neither seen nor read before. After so many years of reading stories about Gene's inability to embrace success when it came his way,I felt that this film explained circumstances in depth and I came away feeling as though I know the true and whole story now. Any fan of Gene will absolutely love this, but I can readily suggest it for anyone who enjoys a well made film about a great artist. Definitely worth of it's subject.

Those of us familiar with Gene Clark's music - both with the Byrds and after finally have a cinematic glimpse into his life and psyche as one of the originators of country rock. Interviews with Gene's compadres help fill in some of the blanks about his life and the reasons for his lack of success in his post-Byrds music career. We finally get to meet his ex-wife Carlie Clark and hear from both of his sons as to their experiences with their dad. The repeated theme is of an extremely soulful and talented songwriter always on the brink of success, who always falls back at the last moment. Anyone who enjoys music will enjoy this film and the tasteful use of Gene's music throughout! Kudos to the production team of Paul Kendall and his sons!