Best of the Dillards 1963-79: Let the Music Flow

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

I'm a die hard Andy Griffith Show, Fan! And I loved hearing the Backwoods Music Group that played on the show, called the Darlings! Little research, AKA The Dillards!

Good country music

Just thought that it was a great album! I first saw The Dillards on The Andy Griffith Show, and ever since then, I've enjoyed their music. I'm a drummer, and I've played everything from Bluegrass to old time Rock & Roll, so my variety of music that I like goes quite a long way!

This cd was everything I hoped it would be and more. I knew many of the songs from TAGS and many in general. If you're looking for feel-good music that makes you smile, this is "the ticket" as Andy would say! Love it!

Just lacks the luster of a good album. Gave it away to friends ana I hope they are still friends now.

Nice mix of Bluegrass and 70's Pop music. The CD has a long list of songs on it, including all of the ones that they sang on the Andy Griffith Show.

This CD has several old songs that I know from a local band from way back . . . great to hear those tunes again!

brilliant