Audio CD review:
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Symphonion Dream

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Symphonion Dream

Band: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Title: Symphonion Dream Rating: Release Date: 10 January, 1997 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: A. Winter White (Wind Harp)/Raliegh-Durham Reel 2: Battle Of New Orleans 3: Bayou Jubilee 4: Sally Was A Goodun 5: Hey Good Lookin' 6: Classical Banjo I/Malaguena/Classical Bajo II 7: Daddy Was A Sailor 8: Sleeping On The Beach 9: Santa Monica Pier 10: Ripplin' Waters 11: (All I Have To Do Is) Dream 12: Mother Of Love 13: The Moon Just Turned Blue 14: Gotta Travel On 15: Joshua Come Home/ B. Solstice (Wind Harp)/Symphonion Montage

Customer Reviews Uneven Dream The Dirt Band had their major break-through in 1970 with their excellent 5th album, "Uncle Charlie & his dog Teddy" (which included the hit single "Mr. This album - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 9th - was originally released in 1975. Bojangles", as well as "House at Pooh corner" and several other memorable songs). "Uncle Charlie" was followed by another excellent album titled "All the good times" (1971). The following year saw the release of "Will the circle be unbroken", a triple-LP concept album, that departed in style from the previous albums, in that it was an all acoustic album, consisting of bluegrass, folk, and old country music, performed by the Dirt Band together with several famous musicians (e. g. , Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and others). The "Circle" album is arguably the bands crowning achievement. It was followed in 1974 by a (mostly) live album, "Stars and stripes forever", a slightly uneven album drawing from both the rockier side of the early albums and from the folk/bluegrass/country side of the "Circle" album. The expectations were hence rather high when "Dream" was released the following year. Unfortunately, the "Dream" album does not quite live up to expectations. There are several good to excellent tracks on the album, but also some that leave at least this listener wondering why they were included. If you are new to the Dirt Band's music, buy any of the above mentioned albums (or one of their greatest hits packages or the "Circle II" or "Live two-five" album). The "Dream" album would be a nice addition to your collection if you already have the above recommended albums. Here is a track-by-track commentary: - Winterwhite (wind harp): The album opens with church bells and "spacey" sounds that don't do much for me (but it's a short track). - Raleigh-Durham reel: The first music track is a nice, traditional (bluegrass/folk) instrumental. - Battle of New Orleans: Next follows a strange version of the Jimmy Driftwood classic. The singer sounds like he's constipated (!). There is a rather nice bagpipe ending to the song, however. I personally prefer the more straight forward version of the same song on "Stars and stripes forever". - Bayou jubilee: This is a good song with a Cajun feel to it. It leads into the next track. - Sally was a goodun: A very nice and spirited bluegrass number (with John McEuen on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar). - Hey good lookin': An uptempo, rousing rendition of the Hank Williams' standard with Jimmy Ibbotson and Linda Ronstadt on vocals. - Classical banjo I/Malaguena/Classical banjo II: These three pieces go together as one track and consist of John McEuen performing solo on the banjo. This is a little too much like an instructional recording on how to play the banjo for my taste. It also breaks up the mood of the album. - Daddy was a sailor: Average, nondescript piece of pop music (filler). - Sleeping on the beach: Another filler track, consisting of an instrumental track performed on music box, harp, bass, and percussion. - Santa Monica Pier: This track ends the A side of the original LP and sounds mostly like noise (surf, people, etc. ) recorded (possibly) at Santa Monica Pier with some harmonium music included. I fail to see why this was included. It doesn't really add anything to the album (unless you happen to LOVE the sounds and feel of a Southern California pier, perhaps). - Ripplin' waters: A solid song composed by Jimmy Ibbotson. - (All I have to do is) Dream: This is the old Everly Brothers' hit in a folksy/bluegrassy arrangement. - Mother of love: A slightly dated, but rather spirited pop/rocker. - The moon just turned blue: A good rockabilly number. - Gotta travel on: A nice bluegrass instrumental (albeit with electric bass and drums) that is reminiscent of the music on the "Circle" album. - Joshua come home: Good song with a solid Caribbean feel. This reminds me of Jimmy Buffett. - Solstice (wind harp): Miscellaneous noises (e. g. , rain, thunder, birds, and "spacey" sounds). Why was this track included? - Symphonion montage: This is a melody played on a music box. I fail to see why this track was included. It departs from the album and breaks the mood that the music creates. Great, but sounds a little different But if my memory of the original serves me right, then this newly remastered version contains some slight variations from the original sound. It was great for me to hear this album again after an absence of about 18 years (my original vinyl is long gone). For instance, on "Hey Good Lookin'", Linda Ronstadt's vocals are toned way down at one point. Similarly, the mandolin on "Ripplin' Water" is nearly imperceptible. Perhaps my hearing (or memory) has faded a bit with age, but I could swear the sound on the original was cleaner. (Anyone else hear this?) Nonetheless, this is truly a great work. Classic Dirt Along with Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy and the double-CD Will the Circle Be unbroken, these three albums represent the zenith of the NGDB's career. Originally released in 1975, Dream completed the trilogy of albums that constitute the highwater mark of a band that has been (and still is) making music for more than thirty years. Dream also was the last time (with the possible exception of Circle, vol. 2) the NGDB stayed true to its country-bluegrass roots over an entire album before courting a country-pop audience beginning with American Dream in 1979. As such, Dream is pure joy from start to finish. The covers are inspired--Jimmy Driftwood's "Battle of New Orleans," Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'" (with background vocals by Linda Ronstadt), the shoulda-been-a-big hit Everly Brothers' cover of "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and J. D. Souther's rousing "The Moon Just Turned Blue. " And all four NGDB members (original member Les Thompson quit the group after Stars and Stripes Forever in 1974) contribute strong original material. Jeff Hanna wrote "Bayou Jubilee," which was dedicated to the "ragin' Cajun" Doug Kershaw. Jim Ibbotson supplied the gorgeous "Ripplin' Waters" and the Caribbean-inspired "Joshua Come Home. " Jimmie Fadden wrote the rollicking "Daddy Was a Sailor. " Even John McEuen contributed the banjo showpiece "Classical Banjo. " It's unfortunate that such a classic NGDB album was out of print for nearly two decades. [My original vinyl copy was barely still playable. ] What a delight to hear this album again on CD. Buy this album now before it goes out of print again. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. . You can see a complete list of all The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band discography, or go back to the The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tabs