The Everly's cut this album of old (some from 16th century) folk songs to fulfill their 2 album contract with Cadence records while they were signing to Warner Bros.

What at the time was a smart business choice (they didn't want to release hits and have to compete with them on Warner) also turns out to be and interesting artistic choice. Of course, folk groups like the Kingston Trio became very big singing "folk" tunes but this album is more genuine, less [fake] than their pop contemporaries.

Personally, when I first bought this album 10 years ago I was sixteen and trying to expose myself to any type of music that was intelligent. "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us" definitely fits the bill. CD's have come and gone but this one has stayed, fueling my interest in Appalachian music and the power of the folk tradition.

If you like earthy, pre-honky tonk, pure country, with unapologetically sentimental tunes and a heck of a lot of country soul, you should take a gamble and buy this album.

I was a teenager in high school when the Everlys made their success in Rock and Roll. Like my schoolmates, I rocked along with them at that time. But my roots are in bluegrass and traditional music like they sing on this album. My family comes from the Tennessee hills. Even back then I recognized their brand of harmony as coming from this form of music, even when applied to rock and roll tunes. I didn't find out about this album until years later, which I regret. It is my favorite Everly Bros. album. You will enjoy it a lot.

I first bought the record version of this album from a P.X. in Darmstadt, Germany and I played it to death. This IS the roots of the Everly Brothers, as pure and unadulterated as a clear mountain stream. This is the Everlys unplugged and unpolished and though the sound is well engineered and of very good quality, it's not overproduced or slicked up in any way. It's the real deal! Some may find this album too simple, the guitar technique too limited, but if anyone had the privilege of sitting on a front porch in Appalachia (pronounced by those that live there, properly in fact, as apple atcha) with the Everly Brothers at their childhood home in Kentucky, this is pretty much what you'd hear, songs about Kentucky and missing the hound dogs chasin' coons. Mothers and fathers who love their children and would give all for them and did. Some may simply label these songs as "old tearjerkers" or too sentimental but there's none contrived, they're very real to the Appalachian people who sing the truth, because, in the mountains, your truth is unquestionable. There's "Barbary Allen", a song that arrived to the mountains with Scotch And Irish pioneers, later but still very old songs like, "Down By th Willow Garden", and a song sung long ago by Bradley Kincaid, "Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot?"

These are songs as comfortable as your Granddaddy's old flannel shirt or drinkin' water from a dipper or the pride and love for your oldest relatives who've always been a part of you.

If you can't handle that don't buy it. But if what I've said has any meaning in your life, buy it and sit a spell on that porch that sadly, may no longer be standin', a way of life that's seen moonshine replaced by prescription drug abuse, simple songs replaced by hard rock and Country that ain't even Country Music. A simpler more innocent time.

It is no wonder these two had such a career. The harmony of these brothers is superb!!! Each song is filled with unique storytelling, and some sad passages. The beautiful, beautiful harmonic voices of the Everlys will never be matched.

I love it. Not the usual songs that I am used to hearing the Everly Brothers sing. That was my purpose in getting it. And that makes me feel closer to them. It is beautiful.