For their second British LP,
the Springfields went to Nashville to record an assortment of country and folk songs given a slight pop sheen. Getting a British group to record in America was an unusual idea when the British Invasion had yet to break. But the results were uninspired, even corny country-pop-folk, and not particularly appealing to either the country or folk audience. The selection of covers was certainly eclectic, including
Mike Settle's "Settle Down," "Greenback Dollar" (co-written by
Hoyt Axton), "Cottonfields," "Midnight Special," and "Wabash Cannonball." Even at a time when
Dusty Springfield had yet to establish a solo identity, though, it was apparent that hoedown country-folk was not her, or the other
Springfields', forte. All 12 of the songs appear, in sequence no less, on the double-CD anthology
Over the Hills and Far Away, a much preferable alternative to seeking out the rare vinyl. None of the songs, incidentally, are on their 1962 U.S. album release,
Silver Threads and Golden Needles.