Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Trilogy [Box set, Enhanced]

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set, Enhanced
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B0000C3I8P
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,614 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > General

Track Listings

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The original Will the Circle Be Unbroken is undoubtedly a landmark country-music recording. A peace offering between rock-reared longhairs and rock-ribbed Nashville patriarchs (and one matriarch, Mother Maybelle Carter), it exposed generations of upstart pickers and singers to old-time country music and its impact is felt to this day. The organizers of the 1971 sessions that led to the initial three-LP set, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, have produced two sequels, the first in 1989 and the most recent in 2002. This six-disc collection (including an all-star concert DVD) pulls together all three Circle sessions and, naturally, captures dozens of essential performances, plus a fair number of inessentials. Anyone with an interest in country music will want the original. Its mission is clear, the performances are inspired, and its significance is undeniable. The second Circle strays far afield from the original concept, bringing in the rather lightweight likes of John Denver and Michael Martin Murphy to mix with volume one holdovers Jimmy Martin and Earl Scruggs. The final volume is also more diffuse than one would like, though eminent guest stars such as Del McCoury, June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash help it capture the spirit of the original more frequently than does its immediate predecessor. Completists will relish having all three collections in one box, while those who think three times around the circle is two too many are advised to stick with the 30th anniversary reissue of the initial album. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Bluegrass Music - Yesterday and Today, January 26, 2005

By 

Alan Houston "alanhouston-texas" (Houston, Texas, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Trilogy (Audio CD)

"Trilogy" is a monument to American Bluegrass music. Within its seven hours of music is a living history of this American art form, from the 1930's until today. It brings together all three volumes of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and adds a DVD performance disc, and adds updated notes about the history of this three decade long project by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

No other collection of country music brings together "founders and originators" such as Mother Maybelle Carter, and the Carter Family, with their musical "children", Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, and Doc Watson, and the third generation...Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Allison Krauss, Tony Rice, Dwight Yoakum...some of the greatest talents of three generations and six decades of American music.

Each generation of singers and musicians remain faithful to the "roots" of this music, playing with acoustic guitars, banjos and fiddles. The mood is that of a group of talented friends, sitting in the living room, and singing and playing the songs they love the best. The feeling and heart in these performances can be felt, as well as heard.

The sound quality is exceptional. It is easy to forget these are recordings...it feels as if the musicians are sitting right next to you while they joke, chat, sing and play these songs.

This is too much music to digest in a single sitting. Instead, it is more enjoyable to select just one CD, savor it for a day or two, and then move on to another. I have no doubt that people will be listening to, and loving, this music a century from now. This will be one of the living treasures of American culture for generations to come.

It is amazing that a seven hour collection of some of the greatest music of our time is available for less than $50...less than $7 for each incredible hour of music. At this bargain price, even folks who own one or two of the previous sets included in "Trilogy" ought to buy this collection...and perhaps buy another for their children or a good friend.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate NGDB!, October 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Trilogy (Audio CD)

The ultimate NGDB collection piece I've ever owned. The bonus DVD is spectacular and superb quality - the guest artists on it are incredible. I own all three Circle volumes and have them scattered between the car, home and office. This is the best piece to have all three together in one package. Next on my list of NGDB 'must-haves in a perfect world' would be a new studio album.
I remain in NGDB heaven with my new box set!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars are not enough, December 15, 2003

By 

Richard Mallory (Santa Rosa, Ca.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Trilogy (Audio CD)

This is a dynmite collection of blue grass music. After 5CDs and you think it can't get any better there's a DVD that puts it all over the top. Can not say enough good things about this package....