Customer Reviews

Through the Morning Through the Night

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

 

 

On their second album, originally issued as A&M SP 4203 on vinyl, Dillard and Clark expanded the cast of "pickers" to deliver a more pure country set than the relatively softer sound of the the first album. Notable contributors included Donna Washburn (vocals), Byron Berline (fiddle), Sneaky Pete (steel guitar), Chris Hillman (mandolin) and Bernie Leadon (guitar/bass). Washburn does lead vocal on "Rocky Top," recorded many years before the song became associated with University of Tennessee football. She also harmonizes beautifully with Clark on his own composition, the title song. The group makes the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down" sound as if the country version should have been the definitive one. Other memorable tracks include the lively "No Longer a Sweetheart" and "Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms." Unfortunately, this was the last Dillard and Clark collaborative act, yet one more reason why this one's essential.

Although your first impression of this album may be punctuated with a couple of curse words, because you were expecting more of the country-folk flavor of the first album--and got country-bluegrass instead, PERSEVERE! This is an excellent album and it will grow on you. Despite the twangy flavor of most of the tracks, Gene Clark's voice will win you over in the end. Overall, the musicianship is more varied than on the previous album, fiddles and female vocals have been added. This all comes to fruition on the title track, the one reason (if you even needed one!) to buy this album. Whispy, aching and dream-like all rolled into Clark's vocal, this song (along with the Flying Burrito's debut album) defines a genre.

On their second album, originally issued as A&M SP 4203 on vinyl, Dillard and Clark expanded the cast of "pickers" to deliver a more pure country set than the relatively softer sound of the the first album. Notable contributors included Donna Washburn (vocals), Byron Berline (fiddle), Sneaky Pete (steel guitar), Chris Hillman (mandolin) and Bernie Leadon (guitar/bass). Washburn does lead vocal on "Rocky Top," recorded many years before the song became associated with University of Tennessee football. She also harmonizes beautifully with Clark on his own composition, the title song. The group makes the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down" sound as if the country version should have been the definitive one. Other memorable tracks include the lively "No Longer a Sweetheart" and "Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms." Unfortunately, this was the last Dillard and Clark collaborative act, yet one more reason why this one's essential.