Customer Reviews

Wheatstraw Suite

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Listening to this album, from today's stand-point, you might say, "well it's country with some bluegrass", but in 1968, it was much bigger than that. Although history doesn't let it on, The Dillards had been expirementing for some time before they released this album, Rodney & Douglas Dillard, Dean Webb and Mitch Jayne made up one of America's premier bluegrass groups and by 1965, certain members began exploring other ideas. In 1965, they released an instrumental album featuring prominent fiddle, and was problem the released Elektra showed them the door. Later that year, banjo-playing Doug picked up a 12-string, Dean and Mitch electric mandolins and basses respectively, and a drummer, future Buffalo Springfield-er Dewey Martin came aboard. The group released two singles for Capitol, and made recordings with Jim Dickson in all their electric glory. Doug, who wanted to maintain more of a bluegrass heritage backed out, and by 1968 they weren't strictly a bluegrass band (Clarence White was even briefly a member). Herb Pedersen filled the banjo position, and they cut "Wheatstraw Suite". This album is the blueprint for the music that has been called country music all these years. All I can say for the songs is that they all come together to form the masterpiece. Take a listen.

I have been listening to this album, in one format or another, for 40 years! This album, along with the work of the Byrds, is a defining work on the beginnings of FolkRock. It was a major influence on other musicians who followed. A must have album for those with an interest in this genre of music!

The Dillards were always alot of fun from their early days on the Andy Griffith Show to their acoustic folk club appearances and they sure could play and sing, but I wasn't prepared for an album like this. I was in a record store in the late sixties and this album was playing and I was amazed when I was told it was the Dillards. Maybe it was the addition of Herb Pedersen that really made the group gel, but whatever it was they somehow combined their bluegrass roots with country and rock and created a masterpiece that sounds as fresh today as it did back then.

My kids,who grew up listing to music like this, often ask me what my favorite album of all time is, and it is this.

First, understand that I am from Missouri and there is a fair amount of inside humor (The Dent County Tick and Snake Market Report, for example). But more than that, these young men, then in their twenties, wrote songs that are as enduring today as back then> It is filled with wry humor, deep understandingg of the cycle of life, and love of the land.

I like it better on CD and on vinyl, the integration of the sequence is clearer. I don't know how many of these I gave away in vinyl, but I've already give close to a dozen CDs to others. It's that good.

Yes, you can "hear the sixties" in this impeccable recording by the Dillards, but great vocal harmonies and virtuosic banjo picking never go out of style. The only other group from that era I can think of who produced such outstanding vocal harmonies was the Beach Boys. One of the tightest ensembles of all time, the Dillards perfected a brand of eclectic bluegrass-country-folk that has never been equaled. My only complaint is that out of the 13 songs, one is under a minute in length, five are under two minutes, and only two are over three minutes. But that's how it was back in the days of vinyl. Wheatstraw Suite is short but sweet.

I love the Dillards, in all their incarnations. There has never been a bad line up of the Dillards. The band has always had a knack for choosing the right musicians to replace departing members. After co-founding member Doug Dillard left the group
they found Herb Pedersen to replace him on banjo, and carried on admirably with Wheatstraw Suite. What a fine album this is. It's a little short on playing time, but what's there is very tasty and well worth listening to. The Greatest Whatever, I'll fly away(all 39 seconds of it), Little Pete, She sand hymns out of tune, etc. etc etc. You would be hard pressed to find something wrong with this wonderful album. (except, perhaps, the running time).
The Dillards at their best. Roots and Branches is the Dillards at their second best, but that's another story. Buy this album, borrow this album, or ask for it for your birthday. You won't regret it at all.

The music is just astonishing, but the boys are poorly served by Collectors' Choice Music. You have to dig the songs' authors out of Richie Unterberger's notes, which are typically confusing. The track listings and production credits on the front pullout can be read with the aid of a magnifying glass. The Dillards and their audience deserve better. Nevertheless, it's a "must have" CD.

Ah, the Dillards. A different kind of purity. Wheatstraw Suite and Copperfields are among my absolute favorite recordings. Wonderful, smile-making music from yesteryear that is perfect for our new century. I play these records often. Great songs, exemplary vocals, clean playing. And with a sense of humor. Happy stuff. Worth your time.

The Dillards are great and this is one of their greatest set of recordings.
Has been my favorite for almost 40 years. A fantastic collection of songs and I absolutely love every one of them.