Released in 1968, the album showcased an "unpredictable" mix of bluegrass, country, folk, rock and pop.

[3] For the album's sessions, the band recorded with a full orchestra, electric instrumentation and occasional drums.

The band had been moving toward a more contemporary sound for a few years (they toured with the Byrds, featuring founding banjoist Doug Dillard on a Rickenbacker-built electric version of his instrument and future Buffalo Springfield drummer Dewey Martin), but Wheatstraw Suite was the first time they explored the new sound on a full-length album.

The loss of Doug proved to be advantageous to the group, as Pedersen also contributed guitar and shared lead vocal duties with Rodney Dillard.

The album features seven original songs and six covers—the covers being drawn mostly from contemporary rock and pop musicians rather than traditionals.