Customer Reviews

Copperfields

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally appearing on CD! There is no doubt that anything The Dillards recorded for Elektra is essential. While "Wheatstraw Suite" garners all the attention, let us not forget this album, the final one for Elektra, "Copperfields". This was the album that, was going to determine their destiny at the label. Released in 1970, it too sank without a trace,and they were once again label-less. Although it is a step into more pop-oriented material, the pop side is still quite good. "Rainmaker" starts off the album, with electric guitar ("Wheatstraw..." did not have any electric guitar at all on it) and pedal steel. "In Our Time" bears resemblance to songs coming out of the singer-songwriter movement which was growing at that time. "Old Man At The Mill" is a remake of the tune from the "Back Porch Bluegrass" album. Next is the potential hit if The Dillards could've had one, "Touch Her If You Can". Just listen to this once, you'll be hooked. Of course, the mood is broken with "Woman Turn Around" but is followed by the acappella "Yesterday", heading off into a jazz-rock-bluegrass tune named "Brother John". The second half kicks off with "Copperfields", which could have been runner-up for a hit single. It's got a sad aura to it, it's a beatiful track. "West Montana Hanna" and a cover of "Close The Door Lightly" are pretty much conventional country standards while they are followed by the sad "Pictures". Things are rounded out with a re-recording of "Ebo Walker" (originally done for a 1966 Capitol single) and the instrumental "Sundown" is a fitting close to this part of The Dillards career. They recorded with this line-up two rare singles for White Whale that year. "Copperfields" is a worthwhile release, although it in no way prepares the listener for what The Dillards had up their sleeves a mere year and a half later...

I have been listening to this album, in one format or another, for over 35 years! The second Electra folkrock album by this seminal, innovative group. A worthy follow-up to their groundbreaking album "Wheatstraw Suite". Benefits from the contributions of songwriter, singer, musician-Herb Pedersen, who replaced the departed Doug Dillard. A good buy for anyone with an interest in this kind of music.

Back when I was in college, a friend made me listen to this. It is not Hendrix or the Who. It became one of my favorite records. Always will be. This record turned out to be a life changer for me. Hundreds of groups and thousands of albums were raging through those days and this one stood out from all of them. Cool, clean, clear songs with bright playing and vocals that I still appreciate after all this time. In various bands I've been in over the years I've included several of these songs in the set list. In Our Time, Touch Her If You Can, Pictures, Ebo Walker--all in my heart. Out of the tons of stuff I've listened to I always come back to these songs. Another quaint feature of that time, besides the light orchestrations, were little two-minute instrumentals. In this case, Sundown, the album closer. As the years go by it's a perfect statement.

This is the second time I have ordered this CD...I wore out the first.
By far, the finest Bluegrass band, still. i put them right up there with the Seldom Scene, although no one can ever replace John Duffy. Can't praise this album enough.

This album treads some of the same ground as "Wheatstraw Suite" with a Beatle cover, the excellent a cappella "Yesterday" and instead of a Tim Hardin song they take Eric Andersen's "Close The Door Lightly" and make it their own. Once again they combine bluegrass with country and rock and once again they came up with a winner.

Replacing my LP Albums with CD's. This is a great bluegrass CD. The Seller was great.