The Byrds' early demos recorded at World Pacific Studios by Jim Dickson in 1964 were (I think) first released on "Preflyte" (1969), revealing wonderful things like `You Showed Me' that should have been re-recorded for the first or second albums.
But "Never Before" was the first album to open Columbia's vaults and offered a tantalizing hint of the treasures to be found there. Subsequently these treasures were richly explored on the Boxed Set, and additional gems have come to light on the Expanded Edition reissues of the original albums.
I still have fond memories of "Never Before," and if it were available today at a reasonable price would probably pick it up. However, all or nearly all of its contents are now available elsewhere -- with improved mixes at that -- so you would have to be a pretty dedicated collector to pay top dollar for this.
Though I no longer own "Never Before," the following is to the best of my recollection what is here. Where I am unsure of something I've said so -- and will update this if I can nail a questionable track down.(All references to the Boxed Set are the first [1990] box)
(1) 'Mr. Tambourine Man'
This is a stereo mix of the original monaural single version, which runs 2:16 compared to the 2:29 album mix. (I think both versions are from the same take.) This "Never Before" track is on the Boxed Set; see the Boxed Set reviews if interested in my take on it.
(2) 'I Knew I'd Want You'
The "Never Before" contents list describes this as a "new stereo remix," which implies it is a remix of the Columbia release and not one of World Pacific Studios demos. This song was the flip of the `Tambourine Man' single, so I suspect this stereo remix is also from that single, made at the same time as the `Tambourine Man' stereo remix above.
I can find nothing matching this track's description on the Expanded "Tambourine Man" album or anywhere else. Whatever this is, it appears to remain unique to "Never Before"
(3) 'She Has A Way'
Available on the Boxed Set and Expanded "Tambourine Man".
Boxed Set booklet: "Although this track was first recorded by Jim Dickson as an acoustic demo, this superior second version, using the electric 12-string for the instrumental hook, was recorded during the "Mr. Tambourine Man" LP session, but remained unreleased until its appearance on "Never Before"."
(4) 'It's All Over Now, Baby Blue'
This 1965 unreleased single is available in monaural on the Boxed Set and in stereo on the Expanded "Turn!" album.
(5) 'Never Before'
Available as `The Day Walk' on both the Boxed Set and Expanded "Turn!" album.
Boxed Set booklet: "`The Day Walk' was the original working title of the track later renamed `Never Before' by Gene Clark for the Murray Hill release. This version [Boxed Set] is from the original eight-track master and is presented here for the first time ever in beautiful wide stereo."
(6) 'Eight Miles High' [alternate]
This "previously unreleased" alternate version is probably the same RCA alternate as the bonus track on Expanded "5D" album.
(7) 'Why' [alternate take]
This "previously unreleased" alternate take is a bonus cut on the Expanded "5D" album.
(8) 'Triad'
On the Boxed Set and Expanded "Notorious Byrd Brothers" album. Boxed Set booklet: "This cut, surviving from the Notorious sessions, was the last Byrds recording made with David Crosby's involvement before his departure from the original group."
(9) 'It Happens Each Day'
On the Boxed Set and Expanded "Younger Than Yesterday".
Boxed Set booklet: "org. release "Never Before". Remixed from the original eight-track master, this track is presented here [Boxed Set] for the first time in beautiful wide stereo."
(Too bad this great track was bumped for `Mind Gardens' on "Younger Than Yesterday.")
(10) 'Lady Friend'
This version is apparently still unique to "Never Before" -- though that is not necessarily a good thing.
"All Music Guide To Rock" says of this: "...'Lady Friend,' one of Crosby's best compositions, is ruined by a ham-fisted drum track overdubbed in the 1980s (it was restored to its original version on the Boxed Set)".
Boxed Set booklet: "Remixed from the original eight-track master, this [Boxed Set version] is `Lady Friend's' first appearance in wide true stereo with no additional overdubs."
I think the Boxed Set mix is also used on Expanded "Younger Than Yesterday" and "Essential Byrds". For those who are interested, the original monaural single seems to be on the import album, "The Byrds: Definitive Collection".
(11) 'I Know My Rider'
On the Boxed Set and Expanded "5D". Boxed Set booklet: "Remixed from the original eight-track master for its inclusion here [Boxed Set] in wide true stereo. `Rider' was an out-take from the "5D" Lp sessions."
(12) 'Why' [single version/ stereo mix]
There is a different stereo mix of the 'Why' single on Expanded "5D"; unlike this one, it is faithful to the monaurel mix and is by far the one I prefer.
This "Never Before" mix is on the Boxed Set, where the booklet describes it as "45 version" and "Remixed true stereo version from "Never Before"." (See Boxed Set reviews for a description of this mix and why I do not prefer it.)
(13) 'She Don't Care About Time' [Unreleased Single version]
This version of 'Time' was the flip side of the unreleasd 1965 single 'Baby Blue'. This track is monaural with opening countdown on the Boxed Set, and in stereo without countdown on Expanded "Turn!".
(14) 'Flight 713' [instrumental]
My memory of this track fails me so I can't confirm this but... I suspect this is the instrumental listed as `John Riley - instrumental version 1' on Expanded "5D".
"All Music Guide To Rock" describes the "Never Before" track as "a taut, almost jazzy piece."
[CORRECTION 5/11/06: Johnny Rogan's book "Timeless Flight Revisited" says 'Flight 713' "was discovered at the end of the studio tape for 'Get To You'." This places it in the "Notorious Byrd Brothers" sessions, making it a different work entirely from "5D's" 'John Riley' instrumental. Since 'Flight 713' is not a bonus cut on the Expanded "Notorious" CD, it is apparently still unique to "Never Before". Rogan calls it: "An effective instrumental that might have been developed into a strong song ... a welcome glimpse into McGuinn and Hillman's post-Crosby studio tinkering." Rogan also explains why I don't remember this track: I owned the original vinyl album, and this is among the bonus cuts later added to the CD version.]
(15) 'Psychodrama City'
Available on Boxed Set and Expanded "5D".
Boxed Set booklet: "Remixed from the original eight-track master [for the Boxed Set], this version, actually in demo form, contains the full guitar intro which was deleted from the "Never Before" release. It is also presented for the first time in wide stereo."
(16) 'Don't Make Waves' [Single Version/Stereo Mix]
Title song for movie of same name, this was the flip of the single 'Have You Seen Her Face'. It is a bonus track on Expanded "Younger Than Yesterday."
(17) 'Moog Raga'
Available on Expanded "Notorious Byrd Brothers."
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