Audio CD review:
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Live Two Five

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Live Two Five

Band: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Title: Live Two Five Rating: Release Date: 16 July, 1991 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: High Horse 2: I've Been Lookin' 3: Make A Little Magic 4: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere 5: Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream) 6: Stand A Little Rain 7: Dance Little Jean 8: Mr. Bojangles 9: Workin' Man (Nowhere To Go) 10: Ripplin' Waters 11: El Harpo 12: Fishin In The Dark 13: Baby's Got A Hold On Me 14: Face On The Cutting Room Floor 15: Partners, Brothers And Friends 16: Cadillac Ranch

Customer Reviews Authentic, Pure and Fun!!! Typically someone not enamored with "Live" albums, I found myself fully engaged by the artfully delivered performance of the NGDB captured at Red Deer. This live set captures the essence of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the connection they've cultivated over these many years with their fan base. Their unique blend of country, folk, and rock is an enjoyable experience for all. There are a lot of great songs on the disc, and picking a favorite often depends on what I'm needing to listen to in that moment. The songs are fun, inspiring, and easily turn around any frown I may have had. Some of my favorites are "Stand A Little Rain", "Dance Little Jean", "Fishin' In The Dark", and. . . I could list them all actually. I've had the pleasure to experience the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band live twice in my life. Once as a young child and again in my adult years. To this day they remain two of the most memorable performances in my mind. This disc brought those memories back vividly. NGDB is great at connecting deeply with each individual during their performance while also spreading an infectious wave of fun throughout the audience. For that reason "Live Two Five" keeps a prominent place in my CD changer. A Great Show With The NGDB I can still remember "Mr. I've long been a fan of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Bojangles" from the early 70's. And while pop & country radio weren't exactly kind to these guys throughout most of the 70's, they still hung with it. They had a number of musicians in & out of the band. But through it all, they remained strong, played their brand of music, and stayed true to their roots. I love the fact that theyr recorded this show at a smaller venue in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They could have recorded this in a giant stadium opening up for a country headliner. But doing it this way only added the warmth of the evening. It also produced a better intimacy with the crowd as well. Most of their popular hits are included here. Anyone who grew up to them or listened to country radio during the 80's will be familiar with the set list. My favorites from this disc are "High Horse," "Dance Little Jean," "Working Man," "Stand A Little Rain," and "Baby's Got A Hold On Me. " Of course, a NGDB show isn't complete without "Mr. Bojangles. " It's included here, but with a slight alteration. The last time the chorus is played, the audience sings it by themsleves without the band singing. Then, once the song is finished, Bobby Carpenter says, "Congratulations! You're on the record!" As one would expect, the crowd then goes into a thunderous roar. One of the different sort of gems is "Ripplin'Waters. " The song was written by Jimmy Ibbitson right after they moved to Colorado in 1970. It was initially intended as a sort of "postcard" to the family and friends back home in California, where they originated. This version is a bit different than the original. There are 5 solos in this song-acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, piano, and bass. Jimmy Ibbitson trades the acoustic guitar for the bass during the piano solo. In fact, Bobby Carpenter's piano solo is the best part of the instrumentals during this song. This song clocks in at over 10 minutes long. But you almost can't tell because of how well the solos flow smoothly from one to the other. I do have a couple of complaints about this disc. First, I think they could have made it a double disc and included some songs that weren't here. What's missing is "Oh What A Love," "Down That Road Tonight," "Shot Full Of Love," "Modern Day Romance," "Fire In The Sky," and "Home Again In My Heart. " This camplaint is merely a mionor one. I guess to save money to the buyers, it was more feasible making it a single disc. My other complaint is that this was recorded during John McKuen's 15 year absence (he came back to the band in 2001. Horay!). Noticably absent is John's trademark playing on the banjo and fiddle. I think it would have added that extra texture that they've always been famous for. Without John, the NGDB had to re-work his solos with keyboards and guitar. But again, this camplaint is minor. The stellar singing and playing on this disc makes the show worth it anyway. If I were the NGDB, I'd do another live CD soon with an expanded catalog and with John playing on it. I think it's long overdue. As another reviewer stated, no one does country rock like the NGDB. I'd also add that no one blends, rock, country, & folk like these guys do. Kudos to these guys!. Pay homage to some of the orignators of country ROCK Before the Eagles, Alabama, Diamond Rio, Lonestar and all other country rock bands. . there was the Dirt Band. Considered by some to be the first to implement rock 'n' roll in country, these boys did it and, unlike other bands, still held true to their country roots. The only problem with this cd and the individual albums with these songs on it, is the fact that John McEuen was not with the band during this time, so the songs lack the incredible talent that he brings with the fiddle, mandolin and of course the mandolin that the albums have. Overall though this is an incredibly fun album. Without it officially being called the "Greatest Hits" album, it has all the great ballads, love songs and classic country rock that has made the Dirt Band last so long. . 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