For many, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who made themselves widely known with their incredible cover of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr Bojangles” tune. That song arrived in 1970 via their Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy album. The song charted well (as you know), and was followed up by another cover track, Kenny Loggins’s “House On Pooh Corner”. From there, the band evolved though many lineup changes. One of their classics is the 3LP collaboration classic, Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Over the years, they released over twenty-five albums including live and collaboration sets. From those, the band generated well over 50 singles on various charts. In time, they became known as Dirt Band, a moniker I liked. Some of the songs on this collection are from the Dirt Band period.
On February 24, Rhino Records will collect twenty-one singles and release them on a set called Fishin’ In The Dark: The Best Of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. (I’m sorry that this compilation is missing “I Saw The Light”, and their excellent version of Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”.)
I assume this will involve brand new remastering for the tracks included although I have no confirmation of that as of yet.
Fishin’ In The Dark: The Best Of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
01. Mr. Bojangles
02. Ripplin’ Waters
03. An American Dream
04. Make a Little Magic
05. Fire In The Sky
06. Dance Little Jean (2001 Digital Remaster)
07. Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream)
08. High Horse
09. Modern Day Romance
10. Partners, Brothers And Friends
11. Stand A Little Rain
12. Cadillac Ranch
13. I’ve Been Lookin’
14. Oh What A Love
15. Workin’ Man [Nowhere To Go]
16. I Love Only You
17. Fishin’ In The Dark
18. Baby’s Got A Hold On Me
19. Face On The Cutting Room Floor
20. Down That Road Tonight
21. Home Again In My Heart