Customer Reviews

Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 3

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While this third volume couldn't possibly be the ground-breaking release that was 1972's initial "Circle," it wears the legacy well. Thirty years down-the-line, the Dirt Band are no longer the eager young turks of 1972, nor is this sort of inter-generational tribute to roots a new concept. In the decades since the first "Circle," what was once novel is now more commonplace, and though the familiarity doesn't lessen the quality or value of the music, it does lessen its impact.

In addition to the Dirt Band, the first "Circle" is reprised in the playing and singing of Jimmy Martin, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Vassar Clements. Notably missing are Roy Acuff, Merle Travis and Mother Maybelle, though the latter two are celebrated in song -- Travis by Doc Watson's recitation of "I Am a Pilgrim," and Carter by Johnny Cash's newly-penned "Tears in the Holston River."

The historical resonance that's been lost to the passing of legends is renewed by several family gatherings, including performances from Del, Robbie and Ronnie McCoury, Doc and Richard Watson, John and Jonathan McCuen (the former of whom only recently returned after an extended absence from the Dirt Band's lineup), Jeff and Jaime Hanna, and Jimmy and Ray Martin. The passing of the torch, first from Nashville's pioneers to a new generation, and now from that generation to it's children, shows the Circle to really be a link in a chain.

The "new blood" on this volume features established stars like Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Dwight Yoakam and Tom Petty. A few lesser-known (but no less talented) artists, Iris Dement and songwriter Matraca Berg, are joined by legends Taj Mahal, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. It's a fine lineup of talent, but their careers (often built directly in opposition to the Nashvillization of country music), not to mention their familiarity with the first two "Circle" volumes, lend this set a somewhat self-conscious air.

Dwight Yoakam's tilled similar soil on his solo albums, consequently his contributions sound as much like Dwight Yoakam as they do back-to-the-roots "Circle" inventions (not that this is a bad thing, of course). Petty is mostly superfluous duetting with Willie Nelson on "Goodnight Irene," but Berg, who's best known for her songwriting (e.g., Deana Carter's "Strawberry Wine), gets a chance to show off a rootsy side that's only sporadically made it onto her solo efforts. Her duet with Emmylou Harris (on Berg's own "Oh Cumberland") is a highlight, as are Vince Gill's gospel "All Prayed Up" and Taj Mahal's "Fishin' Blues."

In a year that's seen a deluxe reissue of the first "Circle" album, volume three can't help but pale slightly in comparison. But taken on its own, this is a fine album of singing and song, one that heeds (if not really expands upon) the first set's principles.

If you like NGDB's first Circle album, you'll love this one. Yes, the current "in crowd" of country music muscle all makes an appearance from Allison Krause to Vince Gill, as well as the varied talents of Taj Mahal, Tom Petty, Iris DeMent and Dwight Yoakam. Circle I and III are also bridged by repeat performers Randy and Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Vassar Clements. Bluegrass titans Del McCoury, Tony Rice and Sam Bush also lend their talents to this project. But this album is so much more than great singers, pickers, and legends getting together to collaborate on a few songs. It is truly the best of Americana, roots and acoustic music. It is soul music. It is music from the front porch, and from your living room.

This is without a doubt the best album to come out of Nashville this year. This is not the slick, polished, over produced dribble that permeates country radio and that makes one song almost indistinguishable from the next. This is music played and sung from the heart. Thanks to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for once again bringing music back to it's roots and heritage, for reminding us to take a look in the rearview mirror to see where we came from, and for single handedly making the musical past relevant to the musical future. This is the "must have" album for 2002...and beyond. (And there's a hidden track!)

It's easy to criticize WTCBU 3 as paling versus the original, but that's kind of like some old-fart neighbor telling a teenage grandson "You ain't the man your grandpa was...". It's pretentious to make that kind of comparison.....this album is more like a brand new BMW versus a 30-year-old classic. Can you look at it and see the purity of the bloodline? In this case, you bet your rear you can....
This album has in spades what both prior Circles were known for: an informal jam atmosphere, hot licks and tight harmonies, and super-clean recording acoustics. In the process, it also throws in countless subtle details to support the "bloodline" analogy. Johnny Cash singing his own ballad about Mother Maybelle...the matriarch and his mother-in-law. The late June Carter Cash dueting with Earl Scruggs. The sons of Jeff Hanna and John McEuen dueting with their fathers on supporting strings, Doc Watson digging deep into the folk archive with his grandson Richard, versus 30 years ago when he was playing with his son, the late Merle Watson. Taj Mahal, bringing a previously unrepresented view of The South into this history book.

Sure you can dis it for following the same formula as the prior two Circles. But fact is, that's not a bad formula to follow. This is a great album of American Music, made by American musicians. Buy It.

About every fifteen years or so, the NGDB gather together a set of guests to record a Circle album. Despite some great rock and country music in between, it is the Circle albums for which they will be best remembered. In keeping with the quality of the guests and the quality of the music of the first two volumes, the opening track (Take me in your lifeboat with Del McCoury) sets the same sandard here, one which is maintained throughout both CD's.

It is many years since Iris DeMent recorded an album of her own, but she makes regular guest appearances and I always love to hear her angelic, twangy, down-to-earth voice - in this case, on Mama's Opry. Among other highlights (for me) are Goodnight Irene and Roll in my sweet baby's arms (both with Willie Nelson), Tears in the Holston river (with Johnny Cash) and Oh Cumberland (with Matraca Berg and Emmylou). I was particularly pleased to see Matraca here - she is a vastly under-rated singer but it seems that, however many hits she writes for others, not enough people are interested in hearing her own versions of her songs.

I'll be faithful to you (with Emmylou) is a song I first heard by Marie Osmond, who cut a unbelievably brilliant traditional country version of it with mandolin as the main backing - it was the most traditional country track she ever recorded. Don Williams also recorded a fine version of it, in his typical style (which I also enjoy).

Dwight Yoakam sings on two songs (Wheels - a Chris Hillman/Gram Parsons song - and the traditional Some dark holler) while there are also brilliant contributions from Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Taj Mahal and many others. Your favorite might be one of the other tracks - there are so many great tracks here.

I loved both the previous Circle albums, so had no hesitation in buying this. With traditional country music more popular than it has been for a few years, sales should be healthy and those who missed on the first two volumes should be inspired to buy them both after hearing this.

My life-long love affair with rock 'n' roll began in 1964 when I was eleven and bought MEET THE BEATLES. My love affair with bluegrss music, however, was nurtured by the 1972 release of the classic WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN. Three decades later, the awe and excitement is still there for volume three.

With the idea of putting together an album filled with guest star artists is no longer unique, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (with banjo wizard John McEuen back in tow) do a stellar job of bringing together a multi-generational array of talent. Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and Doc Watson are on hand from the original project. In addition, June Carter Cash provides lead vocals and autoharp on the "Mother" Maybelle Carter classic "Diamonds in the Rough."

Of the artists new to the WTCBU project, Del McCoury and his sons Robbie and Ronnie and Alison Krauss are the only real bluegrass artists. The others are primarily country artists, like Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam and Vince Gill. Consequently, some of the songs (like the Willie Nelson/Tom Petty duet on the Leadbelly standard "Goodnight Irene" and Taj Mahal's "Fishin' Blues") can't really be considered bluegrass. It appears that for this third volume, the NGDB took a cue from the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack and instead of confining song selection exclusively to bluegrass, they chose songs that might better be described as Americana.

While volume three may not have matched the impossibly high standards set by the original volume, it isn't far behind. Every song is pure joy, and I hope there are a couple more volumes in the series yet to come. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

After the disappointment of Circle #2 -- which, Michael Martin Murphey's wonderful song "Lost River" excepted, has always struck me as a luckluster effort -- I nearly passed this one up. I'm glad I didn't.

Yes, yes, Circle #1 was a special moment, a culture event as much as a musical one, and almost certain never to be repeated. That said, so what? Folk music, bluegrass, and old-time country live on, happily for all of us, and Circle #3 is answerable to nothing but its own artistic ambitions and musical ancestors. It acquits itself splendidly. Even those of us who listen to American roots music regularly will be enchanted. Novices will be dazzled and transformed. And somewhere out there, a lot of ghosts must be nodding approvingly.

The project has all the warmth and good feeling of the first, with the added virtue that everybody on it is sounding greater than ever, clearly having a good time, and still dizzily in love with the music. The songs and tunes are perfectly chosen, a nice balance of traditionals and tradition-drenched originals.

It's hard to pick out favorites, but here are a few that forced me to stop whatever I was doing and listen up: Willie Nelson and Tom Petty's "Goodnight, Irene"; Emmylou Harris's "I'll Be Faithful to You" (by ex-husband Paul Kennerly); Taj Mahal's gritty, good-humored take on the African-American folk song "Fishing Blues"; Iris DeMent's deeply felt "Mama's Opry," so beautiful it almost overwhelms the listener; Rodney Dillard and Ricky Skaggs's hymn of wanderlust and life's passage, "There Is a Time," first recorded by the Dillards in the mid-1960s; and Johnny Cash's original, "Tears in the Holston River," a sad and moving anthem recalling the deaths of Sara and Maybelle Carter. You'll find your own favorites.

Circle #3 is a triumph. A hearty thank-you to everybody involved with it.

This latest edition in the "Circle" series is a masterpiece, different in feel from the original work, but at least equal in it's brilliance.

Some of the difference undoubtedly comes because the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is older, and more assured, than the group of long-haired hippy freaks who engaged with the Blue Grass and Old Time greats in the first album. In that set, there was always an underlying feeling of awe -- understandable and appropriate, given who they were then and the people they were playing with.

This time out, the Band meets their guests as equals. The results are luminous. The entire album manages to generate great excitement while maintaining a relaxed, comfortable feeling. It's still muisic for the ages -- but it's made by a group of mature people who are confident in their abilities.

As I re-read the above, it sounds like this might be a slightly pretentious album. It's not at all. It's as if you were invited to the most wonderful party in the workld....and you are sitting on the front porch with the finest pickers and singers who ever existed.

There are too many brilliant individual performances to list them all: Iris Dement's re-recording of "Mama's Opry" (first heard on her "Infamous Angel" album) is breathtaking. Johnny Cash's tribute to Maybelle and Sarah Carter, "Tears in the Holston River," is incredibly moving. Other great performances here include the immortal Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, and Willie Nelson. And don't miss the hidden "Bonus" -- a partial take of The Band's "The Weight" that is tacked on after the last track, Rand Scrugg's quietly capitivating solo version of "Farther Along."

Do not miss this music!

Now that the members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have reached a point in their lives where a prominent place in music history is assured, they have assembled a stunning group of artists that crosses generations--including two of their own sons. On the second version of this series Emmylou Harris talks about how the days of sitting in the living room and simply playing music had passed. Volume III of WillThe Circle Be Unbroken returns to the comfort and emotion of great musicians playing music simply for the sake of the music. I wan't sure if the original release could be matched. This release proves that it could.

As the members of the NGDB grow older and pause to reflect on their contributions to preserving the roots of our American music, I hope they will accept the fact that they have provided us with a priceless historical documentation of monumental proportion. Volume III must be included in the music library of anyone who treasures the "music of the people".

This CD is about as good as Volume 1 and certainly better than Volume 2. Everybody but Senator Robert Byrd seems to be singing on this CD-- I suspect the venerable senator from West Virginia would have played the fiddle, had he been asked. Sadly some of the greats from Volume 1 have left the Circle-- Roy Acuff and most notably Mother Maybelle. The Band does the next best thing to having her, however. From a Howard Finster type portrait of Maybelle on the CD cover to her daughter June Carter Cash's singing in a voice eerily like her mother's an A. P. Carter song "Diamonds in the Rough" to Randy Scruggs' beautiful solo of the bluegrass hymn "Farther Along" played on Maybelle's guitar, her spirit is felt everywhere on this album. Finally Maybelle's son-in-law Johnny Cash has written a moving tribute to her and her sister-in-law Sara, "Tears in the Holston River." This song alone is well worth the price of this CD. It puts chills on my spine each time I listen to it-- which is often. Mr. Cash achieves here the very best in country songwriting. He takes a simple idea and expresses it in words so beautiful they rise to the level of poetry. For example, "I saw crystal tear shaped droplets/Silver beads of love sparkling in the river's tide./And I'll just bet they turned to diamonds/For the love that was behind them./There were tears in the Holston River/When Mother Maybelle and Sara Carter died."

Country music doesn't get better than this.

Volume 3 is great and mighty. Personally, I think this 'old' bluegrass/country/oldtime gospel/folk music puts the new country to shame. Some extraordinary tunes like little I've ever heard before. Some truly hauntingly harmonies and lyrics. Others take you back to a time. A few I could do without, mostly the (few) newer sounding ones. This CD gives you a nostalgic feeling for a time and place most of us were never in, but the music vividly paints.