The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark (CD - 1968)

Personnel: Douglas Dillard (guitar, banjo, violin); Gene Clark (guitar, harmonica); Bernie Leadon (guitar, banjo); Don Beck (dobro, mandolin); Chris Hillman (mandolin); Andy Belling (electric harpsichord); David Jackson (acoustic bass).

Includes liner notes by Bob Garcia.

Given its personnel and 1969 release date, it should come as no surprise that THE FANTASTIC EXPEDITION OF DILLARD & CLARK has earned a hallowed place in the history of country rock. The pedigree of the front men is impressive enough: Gene Clark, founding member of the Byrds, had fully established his country-folk bona fides by this time, while Doug Dillard had spent much of the decade with bluegrass luminaries The Dillards. Future Eagle Bernie Leadon and Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman help round out FANTASTIC EXPEDITION'S impressive roster. Add the time and place--1969 L.A., ground zero for the impending country-rock explosion--and you begin to understand this album's historical context.

Thankfully, the content of FANTASTIC EXPEDITION is every bit as good as its peripherals suggest. Given Dillard's background, a bluegrass feel predominates and, occasionally, takes over (as on the album's sole cover, Flatt and Scrugg's "Git in Line Brother"). But it is Clark's songwriting, along with warm, laid-back arrangements and excellent playing that lifts this album above the fray and into the pantheon. No wonder The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and others often cited FANTASTIC EXPEDITION as a major source of inspiration. minimize