Audio CD review:
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Welcome to Woody Creek

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Welcome to Woody Creek

Band: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Title: Welcome to Woody Creek Rating: Release Date: 21 September, 2004 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Walkin' In The Sunshine 2: Forever Don't Last 3: Jealous Moon 4: It's Morning 5: Get Back 6: She 7: Safe Back Home 8: Party On The Mountain 9: Any Love But Our Love 10: It's A New Day 11: Old Time's Sake 12: Midnight At Woody Creek

Customer Reviews NGDB guys "get back" to their roots After seeing the guys in concert while attending college, I became a real fan of NGDB and haven't looked back since. I first got interested in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's music after listening to their landmark Will The Circle Be Unbroken album. Welcome To Woody Creek is the Dirt Band's first record of original music since Bang Bang Bang came out five years ago. Although I don't agree with a fellow reviewer's comment that Bang Bang Bang was a lackluster effort--I myself consider it a well-done record--I think this album is much better. For one thing, as other reviewers have commented, the band members wrote most of the songs on this record. This is in contrast to Bang Bang Bang, where only one song, Jimmy Ibbotson's "The Monkey Song", came from a band member. Also, much of Welcome To Woody Creek was recorded at Ibbotson's own studio at his home in Aspen, Colorado. The record in this fan's opinion isn't a mere recording session, but it's five guys getting together to have a good time. Third, practically all the singing and playing on this record is done by the band members themselves--Ibbotson, Jeff Hanna, Bob Carpenter, Jimmie Fadden and John McEuen. Carpenter even sings lead on a couple of songs, something he hasn't done very much in recent years. The only guest artist is veteran pedal steel guitarist Dan Dugmore, who plays on the tender ballad "Any Love But Our Love". Finally, McEuen came back to NGDB in '02 after being out of the band for 15 years. I think John's return has definitely energized the Dirt Band; his banjo picking has a prominent place on this record and keeps NGDB's music from being mere fodder for radio stations. There are a number of standout songs here. The band goes bluegrass on "It's Morning", "Safe Back Home", "Party On The Mountain", and the Beatles' classic tune "Get Back". To skeptics who criticize NGDB's bluegrassy arrangement of "Get Back", I say that the band made the Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and Bruce Hornsby's "The Valley Road" into bluegrass tunes, and I think both songs came out well. "Walkin' In The Sunshine", "She", and "Old Time's Sake" are great love songs. "It's A New Day" and the aforementioned "It's Morning" are songs that make you want to get out of bed and shout. "Forever Don't Last", "Jealous Moon", and the aforementioned "Any Love But Our Love" deal with relationships gone bad for one reason or another. The closing instrumental "Midnight At Woody Creek", with McEuen on guitar and Fadden on harmonica, features some awesome musicianship from both NGDB members. Welcome To Woody Creek, in short, is a solid performance by the Dirt Band. This record might not have a major hit single, but it's a well-done record whose music is reminiscent of NGDB's classic '70s music. The guys definitely "get back" to their roots(quoting the title of the Beatles song that was redone here) on this album. . A Welcome Return To Form Several factors contribute to the overall success of this album. This is a welcome return to form after the relative disappointment of NGDB's last studio effort, the lackluster BANG BANG BANG, in 1999. First, there is the full-time return of multi-instrumentalist John McEuen. His banjo playing keeps the band from slipping into the country "cookie cutter" mode that the band too often slipped into over the past two decades. In addition, they wrote most of their own material this time. All five band members wrote or co-wrote all but three tracks. Standouts are "Walkin' In the Sunshine," "Jealous Moon" and "It's Morning. " [Covers include the Gram Parsons-Chris Ethridge "She" and a bluegrass remake of the Lennon-McCartney "Get Back. "] Finally, the band was revitalized by "CIRCLE III. " In fact, three of the songs on this album ("Any Love But Our Love," "Party on the Mountain" and "Old Time's Sake") come from the same 1996 sessions as "I Find Jesus" (which appeared on CIRCLE III). For long time fans who treasured such releases as UNCLE CHARLIE & HIS DOG TEDDY and DREAM, this is a welcome addition to your NGDB collection. This is their best effort since 1994's ACOUSTIC and ranks up there with their classic 70s albums. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Everything is Good The Woody Creek Sessions take us to another place, far from the polarized climate of 2004. Out of a Politically Divided Country with a hangover from negative ads I came across the NGDB's latest offering and found a breath of fresh air. Thank God!The music is uplifting, gentle and heartwarming. Just what America needs. With John back in the fold the band hits the mark with songs that make you feel like walking in the Sunshine again. Thanks boys for bringing back to me the happiness that had started to become hard to find. Next Time I pass through Woody Creek I'll stop by the Tavern and Raise a glass to your gift. See if you can get out to the Bluegrass Fest. in Westcliffe sometime. Everything is Good, knock on Wood!. . You can see a complete list of all The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band discography, or go back to the The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tabs