The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark Plus [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Product Description:
UK reissue of 1969 album, the first of two recorded by Doug Dillard (ex of seminal bluegrass group The Dillards) & ex Byrd Gene Clark. 12 tracks including three bonus tracks, 'Lyin' Down The Middle', 'Don't Be Cruel' & 'Why Not Your Baby'.

Tracks:

Out On The Side
She Darkened The Sun
Don't Come Rollin
Train Leaves Here This Mornin
Why Not Your Baby
Lyin' Down The Middle
With Care From Someone
The Radio Song
Git It On Brother
In The Plan
Something's Wrong
Don't Be Cruel
No Longer A Sweetheart Of Mine
Through The Morning, Through The Night
Rocky Top
So Sad
Corner Street Bar
I Bowed My Head And Cried Holy
Kansas City Southern
Four Walls
Polly
Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Don't Let Me Down

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue featuring all of the known A&M recordings by this pioneering country rock duo comprised of banjo player/ vocalist Doug Dillard (of early '60s bluegrass outfit The Dillards) & guitarist/ vocalist Gene Clark (one of the founding members of The Byrds). Contains their 1968 debut 'The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark', 1969's 'Through The Morning Through The Night' and all four of t he tracks from the two singles they released between the two LPs. 23 tracks total --the first time their entire A&M output has been released on a single CD! 1999 release.

Album Details

Pioneer Country / Rock Musicians. Remastered Reissue. the First Time that Everything Dillard and Clark Released on A&m Records Has Appeared on a Single CD. Includes Rare Single B-Sides.

Customer Reviews:

Great music: One great album, one OK album, crammed into a not-so-pretty package.......2007-02-07

As a huge fan of White Light, I decided to check out Gene Clark's earlier and later releases. This Dillard and Clark compilation is great: it contains pretty much all of their material (2 albums plus four bonus tracks). The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark is a great album--it rivals Gene's other masterpieces and marks a unique moment in the evolution of folk and country rock. Through the Morning, Through the Night is OK--some extra group members are added, diluting (in my opinion) the great sound that Dillard and Clark had worked up for themselves on the first album, and playing mostly covers. There's only one problem with this product, and that's the way in which it's packaged--the album art is bland, the liner notes (as other reviews have rightly pointed out) are stinky, and for some bizarre reason, the bonus tracks are inserted at odd places in the middle of the compilation--"Why Not Your Baby" is a great song and an excellent bonus track, but it's plopped smack in the middle of Fantastic Expedition. Not only does this spoil the vibe of the album as a discrete unit, the song is in mono and really interrupts the listening experience. These are pretty minor complaints (I listen to the album after it's been imported into iTunes, so I've correctly resequenced the tracks and given the albums their rightful artwork). Despite these gripes, it's totally worth it, since both albums are packed into one CD--an excellent deal.

The first album is far and away the best. Somehow Gene Clark's songwriting became razor sharp in just a short period of time--he was prolific, to be sure, but the songs of heartbreak on Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers don't hold a candle to the great imagery and mysterious musings of the songwriter who croons on this album and would go on to create White Light and No Other. Gene's great lyrics and achingly emotive vocal delivery are complimented so well by Dillard's banjo/guitar virtuosity and tasteful background vocals. It's the best of both worlds--the acoustic textures of country/bluegrass without sounding too hillbilly, combined with the experimentation of folk rock without the pretense. There are lots of highlights on this album, especially the opener, "Train Leaves Here This Morning," "With Care for Someone," and the ramped-up "Git it on, Brother."

Through the Morning, Through the Night is definitely a pleasant listen--it's got more of a defined country feel, with a lot of pedal steel and up-down bass. There are certainly some highlights, too, such as "No Longer a Sweetheart of Mine" and the duet "Rocky Top." Thing is, Gene Clark is a terrific songwriter, and it's an album of mostly covers. I think he sounds the best when he's wringing the emotion out of his own songs, and though these are well-chosen songs, they don't have the magic of Clark originals. Additionally, other vocalists take the lead on much of the album, which I find kind of disorienting and disappointing--if it's a Gene Clark album, I'd probably prefer to hear him sing lead most of the time.

As it stands, Dillard and Clark's first album is totally essential listening for any fan of the Byrds, Gene Clark, or folk- or country-rock and bluegrass. The fact that it's combined on one disc with the lesser gem Through the Morning... is an added bonus--I don't know if that album is really worth buying on its own, but it makes an excellent supplement for the Expedition, which is indeed Fantastic!

A Byrd in Bluegrass!.......2007-01-19

If you love the original Byrds,[who doesn't?] you will enjoy Gene Clark and the Dillards laying down some awsome country/bluegrass/folky tunes.Not a bad tune on this CD,check it out!

Great Album(s), Terrible Liner Notes.......2006-01-24

I won't add to the other comments about how good the music is. It is; at least the first album and much of the second. Great stuff.

However, if you're interested in this album for any reason other than the music, forget it. The liner notes are awful. Was there an editor during this process? I mean, the inclusion of paragraphs are pretty standard these days, aren't they? Run-on sentences aren't necessary either and generally tend to detract from the writing. They don't even do us the favor of letting us know which tracks appeared on "Fantastic Expedition" and which on "Through the Night." And there is little historical information other than loads of name-checking.

Reading the liner notes in one sitting--which was pretty easy as they're only about three pages--left me dizzy and annoyed. If I had to do it all over again I would probably buy the two albums apart from each other. Really.

An expedition well worth exploring.......2006-01-12

I'd heard bits of both the Dillard and Clark ablums on the wonderful Gene Clark retrospective "Flying High," but it's even better hearing both in their entirety. "Fantastic Expedition" wins hands down as the better of the two; Clark contributes a number of great songs to the album and the mood is a true mix of rock, folk, country, and bluegrass, not the Poco type of country-rock.

Highlights on the first album include "Train Leaves Here This Morning," "Out on the Side," "She Darked the Sun," "The Radio Song," and "Why Not Your Baby." The first album grants five stars on its own.

"Through the Morning, Through the Night" is simply not up to the standard of the first, although it contains it some great songs. The title track, "Kansas City Southern," and "Polly," which are all Gene Clark originals not coincidentally, are the highlights. Overburdened by covers and more of a bluegrass tone, the second album is good, but not great.

The cover of "Four Walls" on the second album was particularly disappointing to me because I'm a fan of the Jim Reeves version. Jimmy Dale Gilmore does a great version on his album "Come on Back," too. Fans of traditional bluegrass will be happy with the material on the second album; the cover of "Rocky Top" which is sung Donna Washburn is a complete waste, though.

Overall, the disc combines a great album with a good one and since these songs are hardly if ever played on the radio, it's a lot of great music a person can discover for the first time.

What a discovery: these are GREAT songs. .......2004-09-18

I remember looking at the old vinyl album versions of these, when they were only a few years old, and putting them back in the rack. I never bought 'em until I got this CD a few weeks ago. My god, what I'd missed. Life would have been very different had I known these songs earlier. This is the best CD I've ever bought on a whim.

The best thing about it is the songwriting. These are simple, accessible songs that will stick in your head and make you happy and eager to listen again. By the time I'd listened once, I found myself racing home to hear "Train Leaves Here This Mornin'", "In the Plan", and especially "With Care From Someone" again.

Besides the songwriting, there's also great vocal harmonies all over the place, not as just ornamentation, but integral to many of the songs, like "Why Not Your Baby", "Out On the Side" and again, "With Care From Someone".

There are toe-tappers ("Rocky Top", "No Longer a Sweetheart of Mine"), gospel hoe-downs ("Git It On, Brother", "I Bowed My Head and Cried Holy"), and well crafted I/IV/V blues tunes ("Kansas City Southern"), and sad, swaying steel guitar country tunes ("Through the Morning, Through the Night"). There's plenty of hot banjo picking and fiddle, but this CD is all about great songs. Buy it.

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark

Average customer rating:

Brilliant music
bluegrass meets rock
It Doesn't Get Better Than This
A Reissue of The Basic Reissue

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
Dillard & Clark
Manufacturer: Edsel Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Roadmaster
No Other
Through the Morning Through the Night
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So Rebellious a Lover

ASIN: B00005M9CR
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Out On The Side
She Darked The Sun
Don't Come Rollin'
Train Leaves Here This Mornin'
With Care From Someone
The Radio Song
Git It On Brother (Git In Line Brother)
In The Plan
Something's Wrong
Lyin' Down The Middle
Don't Be Cruel
Why Not Your Baby

Album Description

UK reissue of 1969 album, the first of two recorded by Doug Dillard (ex of seminal bluegrass group The Dillards) & ex Byrd Gene Clark. 12 tracks including three bonus tracks, 'Lyin' Down The Middle', 'Don't Be Cruel' & 'Why Not Your Baby'.

Album Details

Digitally remastered seminal album that marked the emergence of the southern California 'country rock' movement of the late 60's and early 70's. Originally released in 1969, this album was the first of two recorded by Doug Dillard (formerly of bluegrass group the Dillards) and the late ex-Byrd Gene Clark. Former Byrd Chris Hillman guests on mandolin. Also contributing is future Eagle Bernie Leadon.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant music.......2006-08-21

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.

bluegrass meets rock.......2003-12-13

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.

It Doesn't Get Better Than This.......2002-05-26

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.

A Reissue of The Basic Reissue.......2002-04-13

Features 3 bonus tracks. These are already avilable on any reissue of the bands recordings.

Average customer rating:

Even Better
This Album Invents Country Rock
Buying another copy....
God bless Gene Clark!
Some of the greatest Down Home American music ever recorded

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
Dillard & Clark
Manufacturer: Edsel Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Country | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000011ST
Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

Out On The Side
She Darked The
Don't Come Rollin'
Train Leaves Here This Mornin'
Why Not Your Baby
Lyin' Down The Middle
With Care From Someone
The Radio Song
Git It On Brother (Git In Line Brother)
In The Plain
Something's Wrong
Don't Be Cruel

Customer Reviews:

Even Better.......2007-05-20

I can't add that much to the accolades below - this genre defying work of art is truly one of the great albums of all time. But be aware that the bonus tracks on this import version (12 tracks rather than 9) are some of the best, and add significantly to the irresistable pleasure of hearing this again and again.

This Album Invents Country Rock.......2002-04-13

It's not surprising this album didn't sell, after all, do any albums worth owning break any sales records? The answer? No. Of the 9 songs there is not one bad one. It's bluegrass,country,folk,gospel and even almost soul (see the opening track "Out on the Side"), sometimes all at the same time. Without an album like this country nor rock would have come this far. Maybe one day it will be discovered by a mass audience and have the 'comeback' it never had. A real gem.

Buying another copy...........2000-12-25

My vinyl record wore out, then the CD, and now have to buy it again. One of those albums that is necessary in any collection, and is actually listened to periodically with the same mix of joy, sadness, and sing-a-long as the first time i ever listened. (its like readers pay the short story writer Saki the ultimate compliment... they buy his books and read them...) I am mostly a rock n roller, but this cross over, if it could be pigeonholed, is a must have. Can't wait til it gets here in the mail and I can let Laura listen....

God bless Gene Clark!.......1999-03-30

I cried when Gene Clark died.

The original lead singer for The Byrds, he wrote and sang the most timelessly beautiful songs of any of their alumni. Just listen to "Here Without You" from the first Byrds album if you don't believe me.

Check out this record and see. You'll play it incessantly, just like all the rest of us that have taken the time to review it. Then get all the rest of his stuff.

What a shame that he passed. What a shame that so few knew what a treasure this man was. He deserved better.

Some of the greatest Down Home American music ever recorded.......1999-01-20

Read all the other reviews of this timeless record then stop wasting time and order it. My original copy saw so much play it sounds like a waterfall. This record blends clever hooks with traditional Appalacian Bluegrass to create the first true Cross-Over piece of its genre. The fine tuned harmonies and sense of musical joy delivered on this record leave you with a lasting smile. Enjoy...

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark/Through the Morning, Through the Night

Average customer rating:

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark/Through the Morning, Through the Night
Dillard & Clark
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008F2B
Release Date: 1989-06-23

Tracks:

Out on the Side
She Darked the Sun
Don't Come Rollin'
Train Leaves Here This Morning
Why Not Your Baby
Lyin' Down the Middle
With Care from Someone
Radio Song
Git It on Brother (Git in Line Brother)
In the Plan
Something's Wrong - Gene Clark, Doug Dillard
Don't Be Cruel
No Longer a Sweetheart of Mine
Through the Morning, Through the Night
Rocky Top
So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)
Corner Street Bar
I Bowed My Head and Cried Holy
Kansas City Southern
Four Walls
Polly
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Don't Let Me Down

Music Album:

Music Album