Song of the Day 11/22: Bennett Wilson Poole, “Soon Enough”

Guest post by Nathan Arizona

UK Americana sounds like a contradiction, but don’t tell the British. A lot of fans and websites there are devoted to both contemporary and classic Americana (aka alt-country). Hovering over all this is the sound of the Byrds, who some would call the best or at least most important American band of the ‘60s. Me, for instance. I think.

The Byrds’ revved-up electrified jangle moved past folk, pop songs by Vic Damone and ‘50s rock ’n’ roll. The new music they sparked would all be called “rock” now, of various kinds. The Byrds were the folk-rock kind, then the country-rock kind, although they started out wanting to be the American Beatles and called themselves the Beefeaters. Early members included David Crosby, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, who would all go on to be leading figures in major Laurel Canyon bands of the late ‘60s and ‘70s.

Tony Poole is not one of the new guys. As the Byrds were winding down in the early ’70s he co-founded a band called Starry Eyed and Laughing, built on his Rickenbacker guitar and the band’s sweet harmonies, both crucial to the Byrds sound. That group folded as punk and prog took over, but Poole himself has kept busy as a producer and now as a member of a newish Americana band called Bennett Wilson Poole.

This song is from their 2018 album, “Aurora.” Poole’s the one who looks like your grandfather.

Poole also revived Starry Eyed and Laughing, much welcomed by a new generation of British Americana fans. The reconstructed band released an album of mostly covers written by pioneers of the style. Now there’s a new album of originals.

I’m posting music by the early version of Starry Eyed and Laughing, partly to show the long hair Poole had about 50 (!) years ago (though it was already receding in the front). Here are two songs, including “Chimes of Freedom.” It was written by Bob Dylan, who wrote the Byrds’ first hit, “Mr.. Tambourine Man.”

Hanging Stars is one of the young bands that has also heard plenty of Byrds music. You don’t need to wipe off your screen. Those are special effects.