Search - The Dillards :: Let the Music Flow: The Best of 1963-1979

Excellent Addition to 1991's THERE IS A TIME Anthology

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 07/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dillards are one of the earliest proponents of what eventually became the country/rock genre, influencing everyone from the Byrds (in 1968 Doug Dillard performed briefly as a member of the Byrds shortly after the release of their landmark SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO) to the Eagles (Don Henley said, "I think the Dillards are probably the finest vocal group in the world."). If you already own Vanguard's excellent anthology THERE IS A TIME, this Raven collection makes an excellent companion.



THERE IS A TIME only covered the group's Elektra years from 1963 to 1970. LET THE MUSIC FLOW also covers that period (and duplicates eleven songs in the process), but includes material from five additional albums recorded for a number of labels throughout the Seventies.



Here are the major differences between the two anthologies. On THERE IS A TIME, fourteen tracks were taken from their first three albums. On LET THE MUSIC FLOW, there are only two: "Old Home Place" and "There Is a Time." So except for those two songs (and one Capitol single), LET THE MUSIC FLOW essentially covers the years 1968 to 1979.



Nearly half of the tracks (thirteen to be exact) are from their classic albums WHEATSTRAW SUITE and COPPERFIELDS (from 1968 and 1970 respectively). These albums featured the lineup of Herb Pedersen (banjo), Rodney Dillard (guitar), Mitch Jayne (acoustic bass), and Dean Webb (mandolin). After these two albums, the Dillards' music tended to feature more rock than bluegrass elements (they even secured a spot as on opening act for Elton John with their release of TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN DUCK in 1973), but they never entirely forgot their bluegrass roots. Listen to their performance of the bluegrass gospel number "Happy I'll Be" from 1979's DECADE WALTZ. The collection closes with "Whole World Round" from 1979's HOMECOMING AND FAMILY REUNION which featured the original lineup (including Doug Dillard).



But what makes LET THE MUSIC FLOW a real treat is the handful of non-album singles, some on CD for the first time. In 1965, the Dillards left Elektra briefly for Capitol and cut four songs for the label, including the single "Last Thing on My Mind." [It was after these sessions that Doug left the band in a dispute with Rodney over the group's musical direction.] "One Too Many Mornings" and "Coming Home Again" are two singles cut for White Whale in 1969. The final non-album track is "Stone's Throw Away," which was actually a Rodney Dillard solo single from 1975.



All told, this is 78 minutes of exciting and innovative music. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Wasn't One Compilation Enough?

Audio Obscurica | Spectrum of Sound | 08/10/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, let me say this, if you own the compilation, "There Is A Time", that's basically the only Dillards compilation you need. For the best understanding of this group, you can go one over and pick up the 5 Elektra albums.

"There Is A Time" covered only the Elektra years. This compilation, from the always reliable Raven label, covers the span from 1963-1978. Which means it has 8 years on the previously mentioned CD. Why do I prefer the former over this one?

The Dillards did almost nothing of note after leaving Elektra. I say ALMOST because, they DID show a glint of some ability when they issued the single "It's About Time" in 1971, which inched into the pop charts. It didn't sound like anything from "Copperfields" just months before, but it was OK. Once again, an opportunity was presented to issue this track on CD, yet wasn't taken. You'll have to track down a 45RPM to hear it.

The first 16 tracks of this CD cover the 1963-1970 ground. Many of these selections didn't show up on "There Is A Time", but that's OK. Any of their album tracks are great. That's what kind of band The Dillards were. Track 3 is from an ill-executed attempt the Dillards made at recording for Capitol in 1965. Doug Dillard on elec. 12 string, and ELECTRIC BANJO, Dean Webb on electric mandolin, and Mitch Jayne doing a disastrous job on electric bass. It's kind of charming, sounding like an attempt at copying the Byrds, until reality hits and you realize this is the Dillards, the band who more than likely, through the Andy Griffith Show, introduced you to bluegrass. Yes, they were in territory they had no business being in.

Luckily, Capitol dropped them, Elektra picked them up again and they cut two more classic albums. Lack of success found them off of the label again in 1970.

They moved to White Whale (home of the Turtles), and cut what would be Herb Pederson's last recordings with the band. Tracks 17 and 18 are the top-sides of the two singles. White Whale went under but their publishing arm opened up shop as a label.

In 1971 they cut "It's About Time" followed by an album of attempted hippie rock called "Roots and Branches". If you can get past the cover photo and draw out the contents you'll find it just gets worse. "Big Bayou" is just downright embarassing to have in your collection (featured here). "Redbone Hound" is dumber than a sack of rocks, and a re-cut of "Dooley" and a cover of "Hod Rod Banjo" from "Tribute to the American Duck" (1973, on the Poppy label) only serve to show how the mighty have fallen into nothing short of self-parody. Maybe it was the drugs. "A Stone's Throw Away" is a Rodney Dillard solo recording, which reminds me why I never bothered to listen to anything he did on his own, and the next two tracks come from the groups stay at Flying Fish in 1977 when they decided to beef up with electronic drums and synthesizers and and hire a new voice with Joey Scarbury (voice behind the "Greatest American Hero" theme song). The Dillards realized soon that no one wanted to hear such tripe and went back to somewhat trad music. Unfortunately the only doors open were at Branson (some kinda rest home?) which is where they've pretty much been tied even to this day.

So, if you need something from this band, pick up "There Is A Time", on Vanguard.

If you like that, scrimp and get the 5 Elektra albums, which are available in two different sets here on Amazon.

If you find yourself mourning The Dillards over their lame 70's output, go find some Doug Dillard albums. I guaranteed that should bring you around."