Jakob Dylan in 2012. (Photo: Thomas Peipert, AP)
Jakob Dylan is featured prominently in “Echo in the Canyon,” a new documentary that chronicles Los Angeles’ influential Laurel Canyon folk scene in the mid-1960s, which gave birth to the Byrds, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, Buffalo Springfield and many other legendary acts.
Dylan stars and executive produces the documentary as well as contributed to its accompanying soundtrack album. To celebrate the release of both the film and its official soundtrack, Dylan shares some of his favorite recordings from that scene with USA TODAY.
The Mamas and the Papas – “Go Where You Wanna Go”
The debut single from The Mamas and the Papas, out in 1965, written by John Phillips for his wife Michelle Phillips. For the Echo soundtrack, we reimagined it as a conversation between two people.
The Byrds – “The Bells of Rhymney”
Pete Seeger’s folk classic reinvented by Roger McGuinn’s Rickenbacker 12-string guitar with soaring harmonies that best exemplify The Byrds’ vocal talents.
The Monkees – “She”
The Monkees were Hollywood’s television interpretation of the life of The Beatles. The band lived in Laurel Canyon and had a house where all sorts of offscreen shenanigans took place.
The Beach Boys – “In My Room”
Brian Wilson’s snapshot autobiography complete with early Beach Boys harmonies that grew out of early ’60s vocal groups and barbershop quartet singing.
The Byrds – “Goin’ Back”
A song that – legend has it – drove a final stake into the heart of The Byrds’ partnership with David Crosby. Written by the great Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
The Byrds – “It Won’t Be Wrong”
The first single from The Byrds (then known as the Beefeaters). It originally was titled “Don’t Be Long,” only later to be renamed and find a home on The Byrds’ debut album.
Love – “No Matter What You Do”
The first single from Love’s debut album, LA’s first garage rock band, and one of the legendary acts to perform regularly on the Sunset Strip.
Buffalo Springfield – “Expecting to Fly”
“Expecting to Fly” is Neil Young’s age-of-innocence opus — a West Coast homage to The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” with Jack Nitzsche’s masterful arranging. An indelible metaphor for the times.
The Beach Boys – “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”
From “Pet Sounds,” an album that inspired “Sgt. Pepper,” “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” is truly a transcendent musical arrangement. The lyrics say it all.
Stephen Stills – “Questions”
Inspired by Judy Collins’ “Since You Asked” and the inspiration for Eric Clapton’s “Let it Rain,” an echo of ideas in and of itself.
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