| Will the Circle be Unbroken - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | |
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Reviewed by Jolene Downs
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is re-releasing their 1972 album Will The Circle Be Unbroken. It is a very definitive album that brings the longhaired West Coast band together with some of Nashville's greatest artists. It all started when Earl and Louise Scruggs and family showed up for a Nashville NGDB show. Earl was impressed with the band's musical abilities and a friendship started. Four years later, Jeff Hanna and John McEuen of the NGDB went to see Earl perform and afterwards asked if he would do a project with them. The album concept took off from there. They asked Doc Watson to appear; telling him Earl Scruggs was planning on being a part of it. In an interview, Roy Acuff had made the statement, "I'll play real country music anytime, anywhere, with anyone," and they took him up on that. You will hear these great artists along with Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis, and many others adding their voices and picking skill to those of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
This is originally a 3-record set, and is now being released on two CD's. It brought a whole new generation of fans into the Country Music/Bluegrass fold with it's first release. This is Country Music at it's finest. With the sounds of today's drums and electric instruments, the sounds of the Banjo and Autoharp are a refreshing trip to the past. This was a time when the ability of the artist to "pick" was as important as their ability to sing. For six days the group played music, just to play music, while the tapes recorded their efforts. We are treated to some of the chatter that went on while they were warming up for various things and just bantered back and forth.
There are some awesome instrumentals that showcase the incredible talent of these legends. Some instrumentals are, "Nashville Blues," "Black Mountain Rag," "Lonesome Fiddle Blues," "Cannonball Rag," "Avalanche," "Earl's Breakdown," "Wabash Cannonball," "Orange Blossom Special," "Down Yonder," and a previously unreleased track, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." These songs are more than just music. They have the heart and soul of the performers in them. When people of this caliber get together to make some music it is truly magic.
On the two discs you will also hear some old Country favorites as well. "Keep on the Sunnyside" is a song synonymous with Mother Maybelle Carter. The NGDB join in on this classic song. She also joins them on the songs "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes," "Wildwood Flower," and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." The unmistakable voice of Roy Acuff blends with the NGDB in songs like, "The Precious Jewel," "I Saw The Light," and "Pins and Needles (In My Heart)." Roy also helps with background vocals in several other songs. Merle Travis lends his talents with "Dark As A Dungeon," "Nine Pound Hammer," and "I Am A Pilgrim." Doc Watson performs the classic song, "Tennessee Stud." There are countless other treasures to be found on this album as well.
This is a great album for the true Country Music lover. It has the pure sounds of the instruments and the artists without the electronic gizmos that are in use today. It was a very successful Country/Rock experiment, bringing together a Country/Rock band with people who were solid Country to the core. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was able to perform with some of their idols and the Nashville Greats were able to see that the West Coast boys knew their way around the songs and the instruments.
Song List:
Disc 2
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble
Album cover, used with permission of Capital Nashville.
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