Roots and Branches
Encyclopedia
Roots and Branches is the sixth album by bluegrass group The Dillards
, and their only for Anthem Records. The group is listed for this album only as "Dillards" with no "The," unless you look at the LP itself, where you will find "The Dillards." It was their most successful album, their only LP to reach the album charts (at number 79). Musically, Roots and Branches pushes further into rock territory, continuing the work of its two predecessors, 1968's Wheatstraw Suite
and 1970's Copperfields
. The orchestras of the previous albums are absent, and emphasis is placed on the rock rhythm section. Electric guitars and drums feature on almost every song. Roots and Branches does, however, retain the Dillards' traditional roots, especially in their a cappella
rendering of Man of Constant Sorrow
, and the album opener Redbone Hound (though the latter features an overdriven electric guitar).
Herb Pederson, Doug Dillard's replacement and a major singer and songwriter for Wheatstraw Suite and Copperfields, left the group before this album and was replaced by bluegrass veteran Billy Ray Latham
. Mitch Jayne, a longtime staple of the group, is nominally a Dillard on the album but does not play the major role he formerly did. He would soon leave the group to pursue a career as a novelist.
The Dillards
The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of Douglas Flint "Doug" Dillard The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of Douglas Flint "Doug" Dillard The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of...
, and their only for Anthem Records. The group is listed for this album only as "Dillards" with no "The," unless you look at the LP itself, where you will find "The Dillards." It was their most successful album, their only LP to reach the album charts (at number 79). Musically, Roots and Branches pushes further into rock territory, continuing the work of its two predecessors, 1968's Wheatstraw Suite
Wheatstraw Suite
Wheatstraw Suite is the fourth album by progressive bluegrass band The Dillards, released in 1968 . It is the Dillards' fourth album, and their first to move away from their traditional bluegrass sound by using a full orchestra and occasional drums.The band had been moving toward a more...
and 1970's Copperfields
Copperfields
Copperfields is the fifth album by bluegrass group The Dillards. The album continues the country rock style begun on the group's previous album, Wheatstraw Suite, featuring the same prominent orchestra and increased use of drums, electric bass and even electric guitar on "Brother John." Herb...
. The orchestras of the previous albums are absent, and emphasis is placed on the rock rhythm section. Electric guitars and drums feature on almost every song. Roots and Branches does, however, retain the Dillards' traditional roots, especially in their a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
rendering of Man of Constant Sorrow
Man of Constant Sorrow
"Man of Constant Sorrow" is a traditional American folk song first recorded by Dick Burnett, a partially blind fiddler from Kentucky. The song was originally recorded by Burnett as "Farewell Song" printed in a Richard Burnett songbook, c. 1913. An early version was recorded by Emry Arthur in 1928...
, and the album opener Redbone Hound (though the latter features an overdriven electric guitar).
Herb Pederson, Doug Dillard's replacement and a major singer and songwriter for Wheatstraw Suite and Copperfields, left the group before this album and was replaced by bluegrass veteran Billy Ray Latham
Billy Ray Latham
Billy Ray Latham is an American banjo player. He is best known as a member of the Kentucky Colonels . He then joined The Dillards in 1974, and left c.1978.-References:...
. Mitch Jayne, a longtime staple of the group, is nominally a Dillard on the album but does not play the major role he formerly did. He would soon leave the group to pursue a career as a novelist.
Track listing
- "Redbone Hound" (Rodney Dillard)
- "Forget Me Not" (Bill MartinBill MartinBill Martin is a Scottish songwriter, music publisher and impresario.-Biography:...
) - "One A.M." (Paul Parrish)
- "Last Morning" (Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) - "Get Out on the Road" (Keith Allison)
- "Big Bayou" (Gib GuilbeauGib GuilbeauFloyd August "Gib" Guilbeau is an American country-rock musician and songwriter. As a member of Nashville West, Swampwater, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Guilbeau helped pioneer the fusion of rock and country music in the 1960s....
) - "I've Been Hurt" (Gary Itri)
- "Billy Jack" (Rodney Dillard)
- "Sunny Day" (Jack Conrad, Gary Wilhelm)
- "Man of Constant SorrowMan of Constant Sorrow"Man of Constant Sorrow" is a traditional American folk song first recorded by Dick Burnett, a partially blind fiddler from Kentucky. The song was originally recorded by Burnett as "Farewell Song" printed in a Richard Burnett songbook, c. 1913. An early version was recorded by Emry Arthur in 1928...
" (Traditional, arr. Rodney Dillard)
Sources
- http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=1485&aid=73695
- Liner notes of original LP