The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has marked 50 years of music and the band celebrated with friends at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The band’s magnificent blend of country, folk, bluegrass and rock music makes the Dirt Band gritty. The celebration was recorded and released as “Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends Circlin’ Back Celebrating 50 Years Recorded Live at Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN” for the band’s Golden Anniversary.
This collection of 18 hits and numerous guest musicians, including former band members, marks a musical journey that has spanned one half of a century. That longevity, in and of itself, is an amazing feat. This CD really captures the atmosphere of this live performance. The band introduces each friend and each song, giving the audience a glimpse of their history as they reminisce. Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Jimmy Ibbotson, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne, and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill are among the many guests who graced the stage at the Ryman for this celebration. “Tennessee Stud” and “Nine Pound Hammer” feature Vince Gill and Alison Krauss sings a soaring rendition of the Carter Family’s “Keep On The Sunny Side.” Original Dirt Band member Jackson Browne’s performance on “These Days” is the highest of the highlights on this album chock-full of gems.
From beginning to end, superb musicianship rings through this famed auditorium. For the concert finale, all of the guest artists join together with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for a stellar and beautifully harmonious performance of the gospel classic “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
The blend of genres featured on this CD is a mix that any music fan could certainly appreciate and for its acoustic quality alone, any recording at the Ryman Auditorium is bound to be nothing short of amazing. “Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends Circlin’ Back Celebrating 50 Years” serves as a great tribute to 50 years of grit and it is a recording that will certainly enrich your music collection.
