Fifty years on from their first successes, Roger McGuinn, the 12-string architect of THE BYRDS , tells Uncut about their exceptional first 18 months – and his relationship with Gene Clark. As the young group make their jet-powered escape from the folk think tank, we hear about making the scene on the Strip, outraging Iowa and a muted response in the United Kingdom. But ultimately how “Eight Miles High” became the spectacular conclusion of the band’s first era. “I almost left The Byrds entirely to go and be in this space band With Dino Valente,” McGuinn tells John Robinson

Recording acoustic guitars at home can be frustrating and rewarding in equal measure – Michael Watts shares some hard-won advice

Black And Blue UMC/POLYDOR

Inside the US singer-songwriter’s path from early DIY explorations to modern country-folk force

From The Bottom Of An Old Grandfather Clock (reissue, 2004) DEAD OCEANS

From the bayou to Woodstock and back – the easygoing adventures of Bobby Charles. By John Mulvey.