Roots (The Everly Brothers album)

Critical reception

On its release, Roots was not a commercial success for The Everly Brothers, failing to widen their fanbase in spite of their excursion into the new field of country rock. At the time of its release, Rolling Stone, which awarded the album 4 stars in its coverage of the band in The Rolling Stone Album Guide, 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". 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" and insisting that it was the last album the duo made as a "vital team" before they "lost it". Today, the album is touted as "one of the finest early country-rock albums".

Track listing

1. "The Introduction: The Everly Family (1952)" – 1:11
2. "Mama Tried" (Merle Haggard) – 2:18
3. "Less of Me" (Glen Campbell) – 3:03
4. "T for Texas" (Jimmie Rodgers) – 3:31
5. "I Wonder If I Care as Much" (Everly, Everly) – 2:59
6. "Ventura Boulevard" (Ron Elliott) – 2:50
7. "Shady Grove" (P. O. Wandz; credit also given to Jacquie Ertel (Phil's wife) and Venetia Everly (Don's wife)) – 2:31

8. "Illinois" (Randy Newman) – 2:12
9. "Living Too Close to the Ground" (Terry Slater) – 2:16
10. "You Done Me Wrong" (George Jones, Ray Price) – 2:16
11. "Turn Around" (Ron Elliott) – 2:47
12. "Sing Me Back Home" (Merle Haggard) – 5:18
13. "Montage: The Everly Family (1952)/Shady Grove/Kentucky" (P.O. Wandz/Karl Davis) – 2:43

Performance

Production