Roots is a 1968 studio album by American singing duo the Everly Brothers. Originally on the Warner Bros. label, the album was re-released on CD in 1995 by Warner Bros. and in 2005 by Collectors' Choice Music. The album is a classic example of early country rock.
Critical reception
On its release, Roots was not a commercial success for the Everly Brothers,Unterberger, Richie. Liner notes. Richie Unterberger official website. Accessed October 7, 2007. failing to widen their fanbase in spite of their excursion into the new field of country rock.Escott, Colin. Everly Brothers . Adapted from The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music, Oxford University Press. Hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed October 7, 2007. At the time of its release, Rolling Stone, which awarded the album 4 stars in its coverage of the band in The New Rolling Stone Album Guide,Brackett, Nathan. (2004) The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, 4th ed, Fireside. . p 286. described the album as "a showcase for the superb talent of the Everlys as they are today", asserting that anyone "interested in the so-called country revival now sweeping rock should pick up this album".Ward, Edmundo. (May 31, 1969) Roots. Rolling Stone. Accessed October 7, 2007. In his reviews of the bands subsequent albums, critic Robert Christgau often utilized Roots as a touchstone, referring to it as "sweet", "thoughtful, even-tempered, and unique".Christgau, Robert. The Everly Brothers. Accessed October 7, 2007. Today, the album is touted as "one of the finest early country-rock albums".
Track listing Side 1 "The Introduction: The Everly Family (1952)" – 1:11 "Mama Tried" (Merle Haggard) – 2:18 "Less of Me" (Glen Campbell) – 3:03 "T for Texas" (Jimmie Rodgers) – 3:31 "I Wonder If I Care as Much" (Don Everly, Phil Everly) – 2:59 "Ventura Boulevard" (Ron Elliott) – 2:50 "Shady Grove" (P. O. Wandz; credit also given to Jacquie Ertel (Phil's wife) and Venetia Everly (Don's wife)) – 2:31 Side 2 "Illinois" (Randy Newman) – 2:12 "Living Too Close to the Ground" (Terry Slater) – 2:16 "You Done Me Wrong" (George Jones, Ray Price) – 2:16 "Turn Around" (Ron Elliott) – 2:47 "Sing Me Back Home" (Merle Haggard) – 5:18 "Montage: The Everly Family (1952)/Shady Grove/Kentucky" (Terry Slater, Karl Davis) – 2:43
Personnel
Performance Don Everly – guitar, vocals Phil Everly – guitar, vocals
Production
Frank Bez – photography, cover photo Perry Botkin, Jr. – arranger Nick DeCaro – string arrangements Ron Elliott – arranger Lee Herschberg – engineer, mastering Bill Inglot –reissue re- mastering John Neil – engineer Andrew Sandoval – re-issue re- mastering Dave Schultz – mastering Mike Shields – engineer Ed Thrasher – art direction Richie Unterberger – liner notes Lenny Waronker – producer, concept Andrew Wickham – liner notes, concept
References
External links Collector's Choice Music reissue liner notes by Richie Unterberger.