Former Joan Jett & the Blackhearts guitarist Ricky Byrd has just released his fourth solo studio album, NYC Made. The 12-track collection finds the Bronx-born Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee celebrating his hometown, while paying homage to some of the classic 1960s and ’70s bands that inspired him while growing up in the Big Apple.
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NYC Made is Byrd’s first album to be released on Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records label. The longtime E Street Band guitarist also played mandolin on the song “Anna Lee,” and co-produced three other tracks on the record. In addition, “Little Steven” contributed backing vocals to two of the latter tunes.
Throughout the album, Byrd incorporated sonic and lyrical tributes to the music and artists he loves. Speaking with American Songwriter about NYC Made, Ricky described these homages as “musical ear candy from days gone by.”
“I’m just a sponge, you know?” Byrd noted. “I’m just playing rock ‘n’ roll. I’m trying to carry the torch of that kind of music.”
About the Song “Transistor Radio Childhood”
A good example of a song that celebrates Byrd’s influences is “Transistor Radio Childhood,” which was released as an advance track from NYC Made.
The tune was inspired by his youthful memories of listening to AM radio on a transistor radio pressed against his ear while he was under the covers in his bedroom or hanging out on the roof of the apartment building where he lived.
Lyrically, Byrd name-drops a variety of music-related references. They include famous New York radio DJ Cousin Bruce, Otis Redding, The Kinks, Tommy James, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Wilson Pickett. The end of the track features a theremin solo paying homage to the Beach Boys classic “Good Vibrations.”
“I was just trying to put a smile on people’s faces,” Byrd told American Songwriter. “And the chorus is nice and sing-along-y. It’s got a good hook.”
In January, “Transistor Radio Childhood” was chosen at “The Coolest Song in the World This Week” by Van Zandt’s SiriusXM radio channel the Underground Garage.
About the New Single “Anna Lee”
Coinciding with NYC Made’s release, the song “Anna Lee” has been issued as a new single from the album. The track is the only song on the album not solely written by Byrd.
Ricky told American Songwriter that he co-wrote “Anna Lee” with legendary singer/songwriter Southside Johnny Lyon a bunch of years ago. He originally intended to include the doo-wop/soul-inspired tune on his 2013 studio album, Lifer, but the track eventually was shelved.
While putting together NYC Made, Byrd dug out “Anna Lee,” and sent it to Van Zandt to see what he thought of it.
“He immediately said, ‘This is on the record … but let’s add a couple of things,’” Ricky recalled. Byrd said that mandolin, accordion, fiddle, and some extra drums were then added to help fill out the sound.
Instrumental Jeff Beck Tribute
Another track on NYC Made is “Rhapsody in Blues (One for Jeff),” an instrumental tribute to late British guitar legend Jeff Beck. Beck passed away unexpectedly in January 2023 at the age of 78.
“I wrote this song because, obviously, Jeff Beck was one of my childhood influences and adult influences,” Byrd explained. “[After] he passed away … I felt I had to write something, and I couldn’t write words. … So, I said, ‘Let me try to write an instrumental,’ which I’ve never done in my life.”
The track includes a musical reference to the instrumental “Beck’s Bolero,” Jeff’s first solo recording, which was released in 1967.
“I nicked a couple of [Beck’s] licks in there,” Ricky admitted. “[B]ut it’s me playing them, you know? So I could never play ’em as good as he can play them.”
Byrd added that with the instrumental tribute, “I was trying to say [to Jeff], ‘Hey man, like, when I was 13 and 14, I tried to nick your licks, and I couldn’t. This is the best I could do, and I love you.’”
About the Song “RnR’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated)”
Byrd celebrates the enduring power of rock ‘n’ roll with the tune “RnR’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated).” The song’s verses feature some classic old-time rock ‘n’ roll influences, but Ricky also incorporated some riffs and melodies from the classic 1971 Who song “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
“I wanted to write a little bit of a Who thing,” Ricky told American Songwriter. “Even the melody is kind of that Who vibe.”
As for the song’s message, Byrd said he was trying to convey that despite some people saying rock music is a dying genre, he knows that there are young musicians out there who will keep it alive, and perhaps add a new spin to it.
“[M]ake no mistake, there is a group of kids somewhere in a garage … banging out some cool chords,” he noted. “There’s new stuff all the time. And it’s supposed to keep changing.”
Byrd’s one-time Joan Jett and the Blackhearts bandmate Thommy Price played drums on the track.
Other Musicians Who Played on NYC Made
Among the other musicians who contributed to various tracks on NYC Made were former Wings drummer Steve Holley, Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess, longtime Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes keyboardist Jeff Kazee, and Uptown Horns members Arno Hecht and Larry Etkin. Bob Stander, who co-produced NYC Made with Byrd, played bass throughout the album.
Meanwhile, Van Zandt and Kazee teamed up with singer/songwriters Willie Nile and Marc Ribler to form an impromptu backing-vocals collective that Ricky affectionately dubbed the Ba, Ba, Black Sheep Singers. They appeared on two tracks, “Transistor Radio Childhood” and “Sweet Byrd of Youte.”
More About NYC Made’s Release
NYC Made can be purchased now on CD, as a red-vinyl LP, and via digital formats.
Byrd is encouraging fans to visit his official online store, where he’ll be selling autographed copies, as well as special packages that include NYC Made guitar picks, signed 8”-by-10” photos, and other swag.
NYC Made Track List:
- “(Ya Get) 1 Life”
- “Glamdelic Blues”
- “Rhapsody in Blues (One for Jeff)”
- “Sweet Byrd of Youte”
- “Anna Lee”
- “Then Along Comes You”
- “Transistor Radio Childhood”
- “Louanne”
- “Stay Grateful”
- “Alien”
- “RnR’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated”
- “Best of Times”
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