Customer Reviews

Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark

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In addition to being one of the seminal recordings of the country rock era, this record is a masterpiece in every regard: great, writing, great singing (particularly harmonies), great musicianship. If i could only keep five of my thousands of records, this would be one.

An all time classic,The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark is the first progressive bluegrass album.Doug Dillard's banjo blends beatifully with the songs Gene Clark wrote for this album. Bernie Leadon cowrote the classic Train Leaves Here This Morning which later appeared on the Eagles debut.Out On The Side sounds like it could have been recorded by the Band.She Darked The Sun,Dont Come Rolling,With Care From Someone and In The Plan are the first progressive bluegrass songs and were a major influence on Newgrass Revival.She Darked The Sun is one of Gene Clark's greatest songs and was recorded by Linda Ronstandt.The bonus tracks Lyin' Down The Middle and Why Not Your Baby are more great Gene Clark's songs and Dont Be Cruel is a neat mix of rockabilly and bluegrass.Anyone who likes Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Pure Prairie League etc..will love The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark it's the blueprint.

This album is one of the great underappreciated masterpieces of American music. Gene Clark and Doug Dillard combined bluegrass, folk, and rock sensibilities into an eloquent, emotional, and elevating testimony to life, lost love, and lingering sentiment. This is perhaps the best singing ever done on LP by Clark, who in his official releases was always a fine singer. Dillard's banjo has never sounded so full, yet restrained. The musicians and music on this are truly outstanding. While Gram Parsons is seen as the Byrds-related genius of country rock, the spotlight should also stand on Clark and Dillard for their brilliant achievement -- this album is not to be missed.

Somebody said so and I bought it. Closer to the truth than I expected. Get it.

I first heard bits off this album driving down the Pomona Freeway in 1969, or whenever it was, and went directly to a record store and bought the LP! It is a wonderful album (the original)- I love EVERY song on it! Later, I bought a cassette and wore it out, playing it in the car. It's great for driving and singing along.
More seriously, it is a vital album in the evolution from Bluegrass into Rock and Roll, via the Burrito Brothers, Byrds (SWEETHART OF THE RODEO), and on to the Eagles, etc. It should be part of the collection of anyone who likes music in this vein.