NGDB, High Valley, Bryan drop new music

Dirt Goes Dylan

Naturally, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gives Bob Dylan songs a little extra twang with "Dirt Does Dylan." They're a fairly traditional country act, after all. Then again, so much of Dylan's music was/is already quite country, so they didn't have to rearrange it all too much. There's lots of fiddle, harmonica and acoustic instrumentation, however, and it's all good. When choosing these nine songs, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band mainly stayed with familiar tunes. ...

Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years

Fifty years is a long time to do anything, much less keep a band together, but the various lineups of the Dirt Band/Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have managed to reach that milestone as one of the most influential and respected acts in country. To celebrate, the band performed a live concert at the Ryman in Nashville with special guests and former band members present. Highlights from the concert and subsequent DVD release are collected on this enjoyable 18-song set. There are enough other hits albums ...

Speed of Life

Over the course of 42 years and 30 albums, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has covered a lot of stylistic territory. Most of them seem to make a repeat appearance here. Such an eclectic mix of tracks could make for a rambling, disjointed mess, but with the laid back groove of the band and some low-key production choices, the album comes together as pleasantly diverse. The music kicks off with a great toe-tapper - Tulsa Sounds Like Trouble to Me - and ends with the Cajun-influenced Good To Be Alive. ...