Editorial Review

Country music reclaimed its traditional soul with the chart-topping triumph of the Read more

Features

• Live
• Soundtrack

Reviews (55)

reasonable good CD
This CD was ok. I enjoyed the actual "Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack better. If you are really into these particular artists, you should enjoy this.

I'm a Dapper Dan Man!
I can't express how much I love this movie, soundtrack and documentary. It's a classic in every sense of the word. The movie is hilarious, the music superb and it makes me reminesse (pardon my spelling)about all those times my parents forced me to watch Hee Haw as a child. It's just the PERFECT movie.

Check this out ..
This is a cool movie no doubt.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Country Gospel    5. Neo-Traditional Folk    6. Neo-Traditionalist Country    7. Pop    8. Progressive Bluegrass    9. Soundtrack    10. Southern Gospel   

Editorial Review

This impressive--and frankly, fun--musical document is still sending out shock waves almost 50 years after its original 1952 vinyl release. The Smithsonian's six-CD reissue is painstakingly researched, annotated, and packaged (even boasting an enhanced disc for the techno-capable). Unlike field recorders, eccentric filmmaker/collector/musicologist Harry Smith assembled the Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

The grandfather of the reissue records
This collection led to the "re-discovery" of many artistswho had dissapeared after when the depression crippled the recording industry. Mississippi John Hurt is probably the most famous as of now, but others, like Clarence Ashley were major finds at the time - and when Folkways sent a field crew to do a new record by Ashley he requested some assist from a young friend named Doc Watson. Watson was unknown outside his home town at the time but went on to become a major star in a field which has very few stars.
Necessary.
I dont think there is a need to go into to much detail about this *6 CD* set.If you can fork over the cash, just buy it. If you have any interest in roots music, just buy it. If you thought ol' Bobby Dylan and the Band made some great weird music in the basement of big pink in '67 .. for the love of god, BUY THIS!strange, unadorned, raw music , just buy it.

Essential
Much ink & many electrons have been devoted to explaining both Harry Smith (and a lot of explanation is necessary -- very interesting man) and this wonderful collection of recordings from the 1920's and 30's, so I won't go into too much detail here.If you'd like a good treatise on the work itself as a cultural object, and how it relates to other thematically similar items, I would reccomend Griel Marcus' book Invisible Republic.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Memphis Blues    3. Acoustic Texas Blues    4. Appalachian Folk    5. Blues Revival    6. Country Blues    7. Cowboy    8. Field Recordings    9. Folk    10. Folk & Traditional    11. Folk Collections    12. Folk-Rock    13. Folksongs    14. Gospel Choir    15. Jug Band    16. Old-Timey    17. Piedmont Blues    18. Pop    19. Prewar Country Blues    20. Prewar Gospel Blues   

Reviews (13)

almost there...
I have to admit that I like the intention of the Avett Brothers music more than the music itself.I love the idea of bringing American roots music into a more hip scene, however, I don't believe they completely pull it off.I find the music a little lacking and the lyrics slightly sophomoric.Regardless of these observations, I still enjoy the overall album - it just leaves me wanting a little something more.

Pretty durn good
I heard the song "Colorshow" on college radio and had to sing it to the deejay to figure out the artist.It was worth my humiliation!I spend alot of time listening to music and very much appreciate finding 'new' artists with great talents.This is one such band. My music tastes range greatly from Nina Simone to Mozart to Guns and Roses to Outkast,Ben Folds,FooFighters,and the Beatles.If you love originality in lyrics and musical arrangement - songs with heart, passion, and the ability to groove your soul you must add this to your collection.

Unbelievable
Just drove over 13 hours to see these guys in Mass. and Veromont.The cds are all great, but you MUST see them live to truly appreciate what they are all about.Latch onto the purity of this group NOW. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Alternative Folk    3. Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Progressive Country    7. Progressive Folk    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Warm reflections, strong convictions, and spiritual grace inform the veteran Texas-based troubadour Eliza Gilkyson's latest, Read more

Reviews (13)

Spiritual maturity
On the evidence of "Paradise Hotel" alone, Eliza Gilkyson could be our most spiritually mature songwriter.Her words lament the drive to plunder and exploit, without wasting energy on self-absorbed emotionalism, and her sensibility lives in the here and now.She knows that the best parables are images ("he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone"), and that grace and redemption are always within our grasp -- that they cannot be stolen, only forfeited.Her songs become the mistress of our hearing, for weeks.And, like her, what she says is ageless.

Eliza hits her stride again in style
After a bit of a dip with her last CD ("Land of milk and honey") in terms of accessibility and range of songs covered, this CD sees Eliza definitely back at the top of her game. The music is more fuller and varied than prior CDs (witness the opening "Borderline" which almost comes on as AM in tone and the Hispanic flavoured and Spanish sung "Bellarosa"). On political themes, she finally nails the Bush/Iraq issue (a matter she has long been vocal on) in spot on fashion with "Man of God" capturing the neo-con and christianity themes beautifully, and this contrasts with the subsequent "Jedidiah 1777" drawn from contemporary diaries of a US citizen soldier fighting in the War of Indepednece.
A Beautiful CD
This is so poetic and beautiful.I love the title song! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Country    3. Contemporary Folk    4. Folk & Traditional    5. Pop    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (1)

Truly Classic!
The spate of worthy compilations riding on the coattails of O Brother, Where Art Thou? continues withClassic Bluegrass From Smithsonian Folkways, 25 tracks of serious bluegrass untarnished by rock, pop or other corrupting influences. Recorded between 1956 and 1992, it includes three numbers from what's purportedly the first bluegrass LP ever, Folkways'American Banjo:Three-Finger And Scruggs Style.Dashing mandolin runs by Earl Taylor (and his Stoney Mountain Boys) and bluegrass patriarch Bill Monroe (withPeter Rowan) open and close this crisp disc while Ralph Stanley, singing with older brother Carter, offers clawhammer banjo picking.
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Folk Collections    4. Pop   

Reviews (6)

very promising
This is some discovery. Sure, Bluegrass-style bands come by the dozen but this one is really worth the trip. The Grascals consist of six musicians, performing 13 superb songs. The voices, as so often in bluegrass, sound impressively right but the individual level of the musicians is also excellent. A kind of Union Station 2! Note Dolly Parton's participation in "Viva las Vegas". All the melodies are splendid from "Mourning Dove" to the traditionnal "Sweet By And By". A lot of energy, traditional country music, modern sound, the perfect example to bring people to bluegrass or, as they themselves say: "Nashville bluegrass". The album was produced by the Grascals themselves, and they are no doubt a promising band on which to count in the future.
Well compiled
I enjoyed this CD very much after hearing their music on Yahoo radio. I liked all of the songs except for "Viva Las Vegas". Not their fault though, I think thats just a stupid song and making it bluegrass didn't help it any. I feel they are a strong group and hopefully will continue to put out lots of great songs. They have a good full sound and their music is fun and inventive. You will enjoy this CD.

Down in Tennessee
"The Grascals" is a satisfying bluegrass set from this Nashville sextet.Covering ground from ground from bluegrass to country, the stellar instrumental work and tight harmonies create an excellent set."Morning Dove" is an excellent bluegrass tune with David Talbot's banjo making them sound like a nouveau version of the Dillards.The two instrumentals are crackerjack affairs with David Talbot penning the original "Bevans Lake Crossing" and Jimmy Mattingly's fiddle stroking the traditional "Sally Goodin."My favorite track is the traditional "Saro Jane" with Terry Eldredge & Jamie Johnson's tight vocal harmonies, "I got a gal who's sweet to me, but she lives down in Tennessee."Grascles take "Some Things I Want to Sing About" from the Osborne Brothers and show that an excellent country tune doesn't have an expiration date, "Daddy was in Danville working for the railroad, When he was coming home, we couldn't wait."Their single with Dolly Parton swinging on "Viva Las Vegas" is a sweet track.The set concludes with the spiritual "Sweet By & By."This is a delicious debut CD!Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass   

Reviews (1)

Lefty's Old Guitar
The first time I listened to this CD I was disappointed that there weren't a lot of blazing banjo solos.Also, too many of the songs sound like country rather than bluegrass.However, I played the CD again and simply listened to the music, and appreciated the musical skills of these musicians.Getting rid of my preconceptions of what I thought should be on the CD, I felt differently about the CD the second time around.Nice enjoyable music, but not what I had hoped for from banjo virtuoso J. D. Crowe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Traditional Bluegrass    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

It took a North Carolina concert for PBS's Read more

Reviews (16)

timeless tunes
this is my favorite bluegrass album of all time.. i listen to it more than any of my other ones... its awsome cause three of the greatest men in bluegrass are here together, legends just the same as any of them... and the songs are some of the best in bluegrass history. i give it a 5 stars. wish bill monroe couldve made this one.... im sure he was somewhere above.

2 living legends and one bluegrass great
This is one of the best bluegrass/folk discs around.I've seen Scruggs, Watson and Skaggs play live separately on multiple occasions and would've loved to have been at this great show.It's hard to believe this was a one time performance as Watslon and Skaggs' vocals blend so well with Watson's incredible guitar-picking and Scruggs' classic banjo sound.
A work of bluegrass art!
In December of 2002, three legends of bluegrass sat down to do some picking - Earl Scruggs (on banjo), Doc Watson (on guitar), and relative newcomer Ricky Skaggs (on mandolin). It was aired on the American Public TV program Great Performances, and it certainly was that! This is a great CD, a work of bluegrass art.
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Contemporary Bluegrass    3. Country    4. Pop    5. Traditional Folk   

Editorial Review

Throughout his life, Jerry Garcia had an abiding fondness for the banjo, bluegrass, and roots-folk music. It not only helped shape the Grateful Dead's vast repertoire, but also led him on various musical excursions outside of the Dead. One of his most consistent collaborators in his extra-Dead adventures was "newgrass" mandolin master and bandleader David Grisman. The two of them formed the nucleus of the short-lived but influential bluegrass ensemble Old & In the Way in the early 1970s. These 13 delightful folk songs were culled from numerous laid-back Garcia-Grisman sessions that took place in Grisman's studio between 1990 and 1995, often joined by Joe Craven on fiddle and percussion and Jim Kerwin on bass. Garcia and Grisman pulled these songs--some of them quite obscure--from a variety of American eras and genres. Included is a vivid rendition of Mississippi John Hurt's "Louis Collins," as well as folk odes like "Casey Jones," "Whiskey in the Jar," and "The Handsome Cabin Boy." Throughout, the resulting music is mellow and evocative, likely to appeal to both neo-folkies and open-minded Deadheads. Read more

Reviews (27)

Pure Brilliance
My musical journey hasn't even reached a 2 digit number of years yet, but it's been quite profound so far. I count my album collection by the hundreds. I really truly love all the albums I own, but I've been blown away by an album only so little times. (Nevermind, Dark side of the Moon, Blue, Moon Safari).
Jerry without the Dead in a different style!!
Different styles of bluegrass,and old tunes make this a very interesting musical find!!! Once you hear the title track you will find it hard to keep the song out of your head,I cant quit ,singing ,humming and whistling it.

An instant favorite
My ears first delighted to this jewel of an album on a driftboat trip through the Rogue River valley, and it's been one of my favorites ever since. Highly recommended to anyone with an appreciation for great music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Prompted by the success Ken Burns's popular Civil War documentary (which spawned its own soundtrack), Read more

Reviews (18)

An all-star collection of folk and country singers do "Songs of the Civil War"
If you liked the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" or have actually heard of the album "White Mansions," then you would want to check out this 1991 collection of "Songs of the Civil War."The various artists are not only folk singers like Judy Collins and Richie Havens, but country singers such as Waylon Jennings and Kathy Mattea, and artists who work the area in between, namely John Hartford.But mainly this album is going to be of primary interest to those interested in the Civil War who will most enjoy hearing familiar songs sung by familiar voices, and certainly be introduced to both new songs and singers as well, such as when Sweet Honey in the Rock sings "No More Auction Block."Sometimes you will be surprised to learn who is singing what, as I was when Jennings did "Rebel Soldier," but that just speaks to why this is such a great album.
Has it all
Hi!I love this CD because it has every song I wanted, plus some I didn't know.I'm a Civil War Reenator so authenticity is important.I was disappointed that "Dixie" was instrumental only, but the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is so moving, it more than made up for it.

Songs of the Civil War [Columbia]
Spectacular & REALISTIC.
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Subjects:  1. 90's    2. Black Gospel    3. Contemporary Country    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Country-Folk    6. Country-Rock    7. Folk    8. Folk-Pop    9. Folk-Rock    10. Neo-Traditional Folk    11. Nostalgia    12. Old-Timey    13. Outlaw Country    14. Pop    15. Progressive Country    16. Singer/Songwriter    17. Soundtracks & Film Scores    18. String Bands    19. Traditional Bluegrass    20. Traditional Country   

Editorial Review

With the kind of rootsy charm normally reserved for summer campfires and folk festivals, Sarah Harmer has managed to capture a wonderfully organic feeling in the grooves of Read more

Reviews (5)

Is there anything that Sarah Harmer cannot do well?
How often do you find music that is artistic, well-crafted, and that leaves you feeling good?Normally, when an artist makes a big turn from their previous genre, you get a little wary, but not with Sarah Harmer.On this album you can't help but be impressed by the musicianship of everybody, as well as the compositional skills of Ms. Harmer.
Same lovely, tripping, sing-song melodies; new rootsy sound
Years ago, our eyes locked in the drifting fog during a brief concert she gave on a Santa Monica street; it still seems like yesterday.This CD brings more of her quintessential sound-simple, sing-song melodies and flows of articulate lyrics.She has a warm voice with rough edges-a combination of slow-flowing honey and whiney after-taste, with a glow that makes itself known more like an aura emanating from masses of golden pollen (think Wolfgang Laib) than like direct light.
Heartwarming
This is the first album I've ever heard of Sarah Harmer and I'm really impressed. Tender, warm and delicate bluegrass melodies coupled with her thoughtful vocals make for a happy and carefree experience. Whenever I listen to this is I think of sunny summer days out on my porch with my cat and a beer.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Country-Folk    6. Folk-Rock    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

When country-rock icon Steve Earle teamed with blazing bluegrass act the Del McCoury Band, the result was more invigoratingly intense than even die-hard fans could have imagined. These energetic songs somehow sound innovative and timeless at the same time, merging the finest, first-person-narrated politico tunes of Springsteen or Dylan with the plaintive, hard-driving mountain wails of the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. Whew. Read more

Reviews (83)

Timless
"My primary motive in writing these songs," Steve wrote in a press release for this disc, "was both selfish and ambitious--immortality. I wanted to write just one song that would be performed by at least one band at every bluegrass festival in the world long after I have followed Mr. Bill [Monroe] out of this world." The songs certainly should pass that test. The hillbilly murder ballad "Carrie Brown" is one classic; "Dixieland" is another; and the closing "Pilgrim"--which most reviewers singled out for praise--is yet another. That said, for me The Mountain peaks with "I'm Still In Love with You," a duet with Iris DeMent that sounds--like the rest of the album--that it could have been recorded 30, 40 years ago. In other words, it's timeless. "Does it show when my poor heart skips a beat each and every time we meet?" Steve sings, and then there's Iris' vocal, that Kentucky waif-like wail that's the audio equivalent of wine: The more you hear it, the more you like it.
Not bad for an album without drums
It's hard to imagine an artist slipping so seamlessly into a genre that it sounds like he created it, but Steve Earle pulls it off. I would encourage everyone to buy it despite their probable fears that it's going to be one of those unlistenable country records. It's great music, and it's very hard and gritty. The songs are top notch, and I think he wrote them all. A pretty impressive statement from Steve Earle.

Ten albums on a desert island
This is some of the best music you can get your hands on.And I don't even really like country.It's one of the ten albums I would want to have with me on a desert island. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Bluegrass    2. Country-Rock    3. Neo-Traditional Folk    4. New Traditionalist    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Roots Rock    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

In 1993, Nashville's biggest young stars--Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, and others--recorded an album of Eagles songs called Read more

Reviews (22)

Passable copies - little to impress overall in interpretations
The Eagles while they may have been country in origin were ultimately class purveyors of pop music that like Fleetwood Mac of the 1970s was an easy fit onto AM radio channels or programming. This CD in providing a number of country artistes (not all well known) the opportunity of doing covers of Eagles songs thus could have been an interesting "back to the roots" concept.
The Trouble With Tributes
The trouble with all-star tribute albums to past superstar artists and bands is that oftentimes they are done purely for money, attention, and a sense that certain of those artists can one-up the artists being paid the "tribute" to; and often, the results don't come close to measuring up to the originals.Such, I'm afraid, is the case with the 1993 COMMON THREADS album, where Nashville artists give their props to that renegade bunch of desperados who occupied the Hotel California for most of the 1970s, the Eagles.
Nearly Flawless Covers
I picked up "Common Thread:The Songs Of The Eagles" when it originally came out.Back then, I was a sucker for Nashville's commercial country engine and this album seemed to fit the bill.Laden with 90's Country stars, I figured this album would be great.Of course, back then I thought it was.However, my tastes have changed over the years and my love of commercial Nashville has turned into hatred.Posers like Mr. and Mrs. Faith Hill, Big and Rich, and Shania Twain have stolen the spotlight from real Country artists by cranking out easy-to-digest pop songs and passing them off as Country.Even with my transformation though, I've grown to love this particular album more over time.In fact, most of the artists on this project have either been drawn deeper into traditional Country or their careers have faded into dust.I guess Nashville got lucky on this album by picking artists that weren't molded for stardom but found it in their own right.
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Subjects:  1. 90's    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Country    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Country Collections    7. Country-Pop    8. Country-Rock    9. Honky Tonk    10. Neo-Traditionalist Country    11. New Traditionalist    12. Outlaw Country    13. Pop    14. Progressive Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

Emmylou Harris focuses more intently on her country ancestry with this 1979 record, tackling songs made famous by Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, and the Louvin Brothers. However, the most rewarding cuts are the lesser-known gems: Willie Nelson's rollicking "Sister's Coming Home" (with Tanya Tucker), Dallas Frazier's aching ballad "Beneath Still Waters" (which hit No. 1 for Harris), and Jean Ritchie's moving folk song "Sorrow in the Wind." Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt help out on "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," while Lincoln Davis's accordion beefs up the Flatt & Scruggs classic "Rough and Rocky." This record, Harris's fifth for Reprise, signals the end of her classic country-rock period. She would unplug completely for 1980's superb Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (8)

An Extraordinary and Complete Musical Experience
Emmylou had a string of phenomenal records on Reprise from 1975 through and including this release in 1979, but this one holds up as a cohesive, dreamy, almost perfect explication of her vision and musical personality.While for the most part eschewing covers of popular and rock songs and reaching back to her musical roots, Emmy rediscovers the lilting, pure beauty of her voice, harmony, and acoustic guitar.She is joined by fantastic musicians such as Ricky Skaggs on fiddle, Ronnie Tutt (later of the Jerry Garcia Band) on drums, the great Elvis guitarist James Burton, Albert Lee, and others.
Harris is VERY talented!!
Worth every cent!Harris is maturing on this CD.Not so commercial, but excellent none the less.

Traditional country masterpiece
Blue Kentucky Girl is a real roots country album, both in the sound and the nature imagery of the songs, as is obvious from titles like Beneath Still Waters, Hickory Wind, Sorrow In The Wind and Rough & Rocky.
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Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country-Folk    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country   

Reviews (6)

The Best There Is
If this lady is not the "Patsy Cline of Bluegrass" I don't know who is.While Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent may be considered the "standards" for today's Progressive Bluegrass sound, nobody, and I mean nobody, can do more with a voice than Claire Lynch.She is amazing with her range flexibility and the tonal quality of her voice is haunting.Practically every cut on this new CD is great, although I'm not particularly drawn to "Western Swing", which she has included in the last couple of CD's .... the track on this one is "Fallin in Love".The rest are fantastic .... "Be Ready to Sail", the driving "White Train" and my favorite "I Believe in Forever".She's actually topped herself on this one.Buy it ... you'll see.

So Glad She's Back
Claire was gone from the scene for a few years, and I kept looking for her new record. This is it and it's wonderful. Claire has a warm and vocally commanding presence. Another reviewer compared her to Alison Krauss, but I don't think that's quite right. Claire has a rounder (no pun intended) vocal tone and the perfect complement to the great accompaniment she always chooses. Where Alison Krauss has an almost brittle timbre, Claire's is rich and somehow sexy.
Excellent!
I will just add that in addition to the other fine songs on 'New Day' already mentioned, Claire breathes new life into "White Train" - an excellent and somewhat obscure song by the 80's rock band The dB's. It was later recorded by the country duo Foster & Lloyd, and REM also did a live version. All fine versions, but Claire and the band really soar on this. It also shows that in addition to her wonderful voice, Claire has a great eye (ear) for tunes that others might not deem good choices for a bluegrass band. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Traditional Bluegrass   

Reviews (7)

+ 1/2 stars...NGDB Emphasizes Their Country Roots
In 1970, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released their breakout album UNCLE CHARLIE which contained the band's first Top 10 single "Mr. Bojangles." Two years later they released the critically acclaimed WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN. So it was only natural that there would be a great deal of excitement when STARS & STRIPES FOREVER was released in 1974.
If you like NGDB you will LOVE this!
If you read the previous review you can see that Warrenville, Illinois must do a lot of inbreeding.This collection of songs is classic Dirt Band from the peak of their folk/country/rock period, and the dialogue between songs only enhance them.This is pure Americana at its best and you owe it to yourself to have this in your collection.It may not be a slick production but it certainly is quality musicianship and a damn good time as well.

Don't waste your $$$!
There is "NO!"..."0!"...comparison to any other similarly titled album! These boys are rank amatures...and, they talk way too much! Save your mpney! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Country-Rock    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Progressive Country   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (7)

Defining Moment
The other reviews here are more eloquent and can tell you why you must have this in your collection. All I can add is that this album defines a very specific moment in music and social history. I was in an alternative college in 1970, and there were a few records that were the soundtrack of the hippie freak culture of the time. There were a lot of heavy trippy tracks, there was a lot of British blues, and then there were albums which simply made you happy; they made you dance like you were at a fiddle contest, they made you felel emotion and made you relax "and float downstream". This particular Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album defined the folk rock freak movement better than any of the others (except the music of The Band which is much "heavier"). I don't like the other Dirt Band albums, because I don't like the heavy country flavor of them. This album, however, broke through and made its own genre. I can't imagine anyone not listening and being mesmerized from start to finish by the entire experience. Definitely on a Top Ten must-have list along with the Beatles, Neil Young, Cream, Randy Newman, Donovan, Derek and the Dominos (Eric Clapton), John Mayall (with Eric Clapton), Bob Dylan and The Band.

NGDBs Finest Hour?
I had already heard the Dirt Band when this album was released.
One of Rock's 10-best American albums
Albums that change things, define genres and otherwise make profound statements don't come along too often. You're lucky if lightning strikes once. With the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, it hit twice -- with "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and before that with this incredible album, "Uncle Charlie."
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Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Country-Rock    4. Pop    5. Progressive Bluegrass    6. Progressive Country   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (23)

BACK TO OURMOTHER THE MOUNTAIN
Since my youth I have had an ear for roots music, whether I was conscious of that fact or not. The original of that interest first centered on the blues, then early rock and roll and later, with the folk revival of the early 1960's, folk music. I have often wondered about the source of this interest. I am, and have always been a city boy, and an Eastern city boy at that. Nevertheless, over time I have come to appreciate many more forms of roots music than in my youth. The subject of the following review is an example.