Roots and Branches (The Dillards album)

Roots and Branches is the sixth album by bluegrass group The Dillards, and their only for Anthem Records.

1970 found The Dillards parting ways with Elektra Records once again after two critically, although not commercially, successful albums that found them exploring a style that would come to be known as country-rock. They were quickly signed by White Whale Records, with whom they would cut two singles before the label was folded following the dissolution of its flagship act, The Turtles. Seeking to establish a new image, Ted Feigin and Lee Lassiff (who owned White Whale) launched Anthem Records which would have its product distributed by United Artists Records. The Dillards and Liz Damon's Orient Express were brought over from their former label, and subsequently would be the only two artists to have albums issued on Anthem.

In late 1970, The Dillards began work on what would become the Roots and Branches album. Although not much information is available about the sessions, it is known (according to a press release issued with promo copies of the album) that the recording process lasted nearly 18 months, with the album going to market in May 1972. To emphasize the rock elements of the band's sound, Richard Podolor was brought in to produce and Bill Cooper handled the engineering duties. The team was one of the hottest in the business at the time, working together on recordings by Blues Image, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf and Three Dog Night. This change in musical direction (along with the toll that the long hours of recording was taking on his marriage) would influence Herb Pedersen's departure in 1971. He would shortly thereafter join Country Gazette. He was replaced by Billy Ray Latham who was fresh out of The Doug Dillard Expedition. It was around this time that long-time bassist Mitch Jayne began considering an exit from the group as well. He had little to do with the album in progress aside from contributing backing vocals and had no part in the songwriting as he had on previous albums.

The first product of these sessions would be Anthem's first single, a Chip Douglas tune entitled "It's About Time" backed with Paul Parrish's "One A.M.". Released in July 1971, the song became The Dillards' first (and only) single to break the Hot 100. It spent two weeks on the chart, making it to #92. Billboard gave it a positive review in their "Top 60 Spotlight", where they called it a "folk rock ballad loaded with sales and chart potency." The band appeared on American Bandstand to support the record. The song was not issued on album and has yet to appear on a compilation. (The version of "One A.M." on the b-side is similar to, but not the same, as the final version appearing on the album.)

Not much was heard from the band until May of the next year when the album appeared on the market. Just prior to the release of the album, the band served as Elton John's opening act on an American tour. John had long been a fan of the band, making it priority to see them at The Troubadour when he first arrived in the States in August 1970. This exposure, along with an intensive promotional campaign organized by Martin Cerf and Billy Roberts, helped to bring the new album the best sales of any Dillards album up to that point (and possibly afterwards.) Billboard reported that the album had sold 25,000 copies within ten days of release. It cracked the "Bubbling Under" chart at #219 on May 27, and entered the Top 200 at #128 on June 10, ultimately peaking at #79 the last week of July and staying in that position for two weeks. It would remain in the charts through October. The album version of "One A.M." was issued as a single in June and spent three weeks on the "Bubbling Under" chart. It peaked at #111.

Despite the success that the new label was seeing, Anthem began dissolving as the album was climbing the charts, making this the last album released by Anthem as a label (although Anthem productions were issued by Polydor through 1973). A third single, another Paul Parrish tune entitled "America (The Lady In The Harbor)" was issued in November but failed to chart (like "It's About Time", it would remain exclusive to the single.) In the wake of legal and financial problems with Anthem, the band lost support, distribution for recordings and were soon without a label. They would sign with another United Artists label, Poppy Records, shortly thereafter but would not find the success they enjoyed with Roots and Branches.

According to Rodney Dillard, a professional recording exists of a live performance from this era. Although he expressed interest in releasing this recording, it remains unavailable.

In a 2012 interview, Rodney Dillard revealed that during the sessions, the group had gotten a "hold" on a then-unreleased song by British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens entitled "Wild World". It was intended to be released as a single but A&M (Stevens' label) reneged on the deal and issued Stevens' version. The Dillards' recording remains unreleased.

Track listing

Side One:

1. "Redbone Hound" (Rodney Dillard) 3:33
2. "Forget Me Not" (Bill Martin) 3:25
3. "One A.M." (Paul Parrish) 3:17
4. "Last Morning" (Shel Silverstein) 3:55
5. "Get Out On The Road" (Keith Allison) 3:29

Side Two:

1. "Big Bayou" (Gib Guilbeau) 2:59
2. "I've Been Hurt" (Gary Itri) 4:11
3. "Billy Jack" (Rodney Dillard) 2:57
4. "Sunny Day" (Gary Withem, Jack Conrad) 2:49
5. "Man of Constant Sorrow" (Arranged by Rodney Dillard) 1:17

Gib Guilbeau is credited on the album's label as "Gib Gilbeam".

Personnel

The Dillards:

• Rodney Dillard - lead vocals, guitars, recorder
• Dean Webb - mandolin, backing vocals
• Billy Ray Latham - banjo, guitar, backing vocals
• Paul York - drums and percussion
• Mitch Jayne - backing vocals

Additional musicians:

• Richard Podolor - guitars, organ, piano
• Bill Cooper - bass

Per Rodney Dillard, an additional drummer was utilized for this album. However, no one has any recollection of his identity.

Sources

• "Further into rock territory: Spotlight on the Dillards' 'Roots and Branches' LP" - The Examiner
• Original LP Liner Notes
• Billboard Magazine issues spanning 1971-1972