The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Albums (31)
What The Critics Say
Speed of Life is the first studio album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in five years and celebrates the group's 43rd anniversary with three of its original members still intact (and no, the number 43 was not a typo). It also finds them reduced once more to a quartet with the departure of multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Ibbotson. That said, the band has lost none of its immediacy, power, or expert presentation of both original material and songs from some of Nashville's finest. Released by Sugar Hill Records (who distributes their NGDB Records imprint), the group recorded the set live in the studio. Produced by veterans George Massenburg and Jon Randall Stewart, this set sounds inspired, fresh, and like the NGDB has been utterly rejuvenated. It combines the old-/good-timey feel of their concert performances -- without adding American folk or country standards -- and the poignancy of their best studio recordings. Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, and John McEuen were aided on this set by bassist Glenn Worf, guitarist Richard Bennett, and drummer Vince Santoro, as well as backing vocalists such as Matraca Berg (who also contributed a pair of songs to the album), Jessi Alexander, and Jaime Hanna. The set opens with an electric dobro and shuffling harmonica introducing "Tulsa Sounds Like Trouble to Me," but these are quickly accented by acoustic guitars, mandolins, a popping snare, and McEuen's ubiquitous banjo. On the deeply moving "The Resurrection" -- written by Berg with Alice Randall -- Hanna's vocal is world-weary and bears its weight on his shoulders. There's hope in the waste, however, with images that are simply unforgettable -- such as a fired minister saying grace with a bunch of the lost and broken at a local diner. There's an unexpected bluegrass cover of Canned Heat's classic "Goin' Up the Country," that's done with the Dirt Band empathy, innovation, and rootsy elegance. Theirs is also a brief but haunting banjo interlude by McEuen called "Lost in the Pines," and the title track, written by Gary Scruggs is pure NGDB roots-country-soul. "Earthquake," written by Carpenter and McEuen, is a shuffling back porch country stomper. One of the album's big surprises is near the end in "Tryin' to Try" co-written by Fadden and Guy Clark. The lyric and feel are pure Clark, but the waves of guitars, mandolins, accordions, and that old-timey bassline is authentic, timeless NGDB. Ultimately, Speed of Life proves that the NGDB have reinvented themselves once more. Nothing here is of the slick Nashville variety. It feels as organic as their mid-'70s recordings, but the material is quite listener-friendly. It will certainly endear old fans -- and perhaps amaze them that 43 years later, they are still not only viable, but able to innovate, create, and shine through in a scene dominated by young stars who may not have even heard of them. These old dogs still have plenty of shine on them, plenty of country-soul to impart, and plenty of tricks to teach the kids. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
'Partners, Brothers and Friends'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 10
Label Rhino/Warner Bros.
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Welcome to Woody Creek'
Release Date 9/21/2004
Tracks 12
Label Dualtone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
There was a time when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and other West Coast country-rockers were viewed with suspicion by some members of the Nashville establishment, but times change -- and these days, country radio play lists are full of artists whose work has been greatly influenced by the country-rock that came out of Southern California in the '60s and '70s. So as it turns out, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Linda Ronstadt, and the Eagles (who the Dirt Band greatly influenced) were ahead of their time. But while much of the country-rock that's coming out of Nashville in the 21st century is extremely contrived and formulaic, the Dirt Band hasn't lost any of its organic, earthy charm -- charm that is alive and well on Welcome to Woody Creek, which finds the durable outfit celebrating its 39th anniversary with a lineup consisting of Jeff Hanna, Jimmy Ibbotson, Bob Carpenter, Jimmie Fadden, and John McEuen. After all these years, the Dirt Band still sounds current; Welcome to Woody Creek isn't radically different from a lot of the country-rock that country stations played in '90s and 2000s. The differences between this 2004 release and all the Eagles-minded, Ronstadt-obsessed artists on modern country radio have to do with execution and delivery more than anything; Welcome to Woody Creek has a certain warmth and sincerity that many of Nashville's slick nu-country artists are missing. This CD doesn't sound like the product of 500 marketing meetings but rather like the work of five country-rock veterans who keep performing because they genuinely enjoy what they do. Welcome to Woody Creek isn't as essential as the Dirt Band's best '60s and '70s recordings; nonetheless, it's a solid, respectable outing that will please die-hard fans of the veteran country-rockers. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 3'
Release Date 10/1/2002
Tracks 28
Label Capitol
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Like a comet that periodically returns and lights up the sky, the Will the Circle Be Unbroken series manages to be predictable and illuminating at the same time. Once again, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band draws an assembly of deities and wannabes around the campfire. Some of these are familiar, though veterans from the first volume have grown scarce: Doc Watson plays "I Am a Pilgrim" as a tribute to the late Merle Travis, who cut the same tune on the 1972 Circle session. Jimmy Martin returns too, his galloping, almost-reckless delivery undimmed by the years. From the 1989 sequel comes Johnny Cash, whose "Tears in the Holston River" eulogizes Maybelle Carter, his mother-in-law and the soul of the first Circle. New faces take the place of those who have departed: Willie Nelson is a logical addition, though his duet partner, Tom Petty, sounds uncomfortable and awkward on "Goodnight, Irene." Emmylou Harris assumes her place in this pantheon, her voice breaking hearts even in harmony with Matraca Berg on "Oh, Cumberland." No performance stands out more than that of Taj Mahal, whose presence has a demographic significance and whose rollicking rendition of "Fishin' Blues nearly steals the show. But Mahal also contributes to the album's only serious blemish: On the inevitable title cut, he and the other soloists play with a solemnity that deletes the song's communal energies. A congregational enthusiasm distinguished its performance on the first album; here, the singers -- particularly Alison Krauss -- pass it along, verse by verse, as if it were priceless china. This music is about soul, not trepidation, so it's to everyone's credit that such moments are scarce here. Let's hope that they don't dress it up with string samples or breakbeats once Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 4 rolls around. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
While it pales in comparison with their classic early '70s releases, Bang Bang Bang is far from being a lesser latter-day effort from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The group are seasoned professionals, capable of making even second-rate material sound fine, which is fortunate since there's a little bit too much filler on the record. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to hear the group play, and there are moments where they nearly recapture the magic of yesteryear, which may make the album worthwhile for dedicated fans. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
'The Christmas Album'
Release Date 10/7/1997
Tracks 11
Label Rising Tide
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Christmas Album finds the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band turning in a typically tasteful album and a surprisingly strong country holiday record. Along with a couple recent holiday tunes and originals, the Dirt Band puts their distinctive spin on traditional carols like "Silver Bells," "Silent Night," and "Little Drummer Boy." The end result is quite charming and should appeal to much of the Dirt Band's hardcore following. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The group's first compilation album, made up of six songs from the first album and eight from Ricochet, assembled and released by Liberty Records in England (where neither of the original albums had appeared). A fair representation of the original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, though serious fans would be more advised to pick up the complete albums. "Buy For Me The Rain" is here, along with some of the more rousing cuts off of the first LP. (British import) ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A couple of years after the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's string of country hits ended, the band returned to its roots to record this appropriately titled collection of original material. Most of the songs are very good, and the sound is refreshingly unadorned with any concessions to the soundalike country mainstream. Because the NDGB was among the many fine artists swept aside by the faceless hat acts and young country babes birthed by the Garth era, Acoustic never found a sizable audience. However, this blend of acoustic guitars, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, accordion, washboard, and beautiful vocal harmonies delivers a bevy of country/folk delights. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It features "I Fought the Law," "The Dream, " "One Good Love, " and other hits. ~ All Music Guide, All Music Guide
