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I love this recording, LOVE IT! This is the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at their traditional best, the last recording they made before transforming into the more pop-oriented Dirt Band. I have no objections to that shift--the relative commercial failure of this recording and the success of their next would seem to bear that out. But here, you're got a remarkable blend of roots, country, folk, 1950's-era pop, rock 'n' roll, and their own original compositions all filtered through their own imaginative minds. Opening and closing with the ethereal sound of a wind harp, ending with an antique music box rendition of "Narcissus", the "Dream" album title is very appropriate even if what they meant was "All I Have To Do Is Dream"--a near-hit version of the Everley Brother's tune. Linda Ronstadt shares lead vocals on "Hey Good Lookin'", "The Battle Of New Orleans" is spooky, and "Rippling Waters" has perhaps held up as one of their best originals (by Jim Ibbotson, in this case). In short, there is plenty here to maintain your interest, and I'll bet you'll find yourself returning to it frequently.
This has been one of my favorite albums of all time since it's original printing ... but it's been unavailable for years. Even now, this one is not as far as I can tell, remastered and clearly comes out of either Japan or some other country that uses a similar non-English far Eastern alphabet that I cannot read. The liner notes are in Japanese or whatever. Vietnamese? Chinese? Wish they were in English. The lyrics are in both languages, but I would have liked to read the liner notes.
This album revolutionized "country" music in the same way the Beatles revolutionized pop/rock music. Wonderful musicianship, great new songs, excellent renditions of old songs including (in my opinion) the best version of "The Battle of New Orleans" ever recorded.
Love it. My husband commented that he prefers the Everly Brothers original version of "Dream" ... but given that the Everly Brothers have been gone a while from the recording business, this version is nothing to sneer at.
I hope someone somewhere will remaster this properly and reissue it ... and let me know before they pull it off the market again!
I was thrilled to find this gem on CD though I still play the vinyl version occasionally. The Dirt Band is one of those uncategorizable groups that just makes great music. Many folks may only be familiar with their version of "Mr. Bojangles" and its blend of popular music and country. But they are so much more and this album is among their best. The version of "The Battle of New Orleans" on this album remains my favorite.
Bluegrass, country, cajun, classical, even a bit of Calypso - they do it all. I'll agree with the other reviewer about the imagery in "Ripplin' Waters". The image that sticks with me the most (experience?) is about the old second hand chair and people picking out the stuffing "when they sit down, 'cause it passes the time".
Check out the thunder on the opening cut. We had a dog afraid of thunder who would run away whenever she heard it.
I loved this album on vinyl back in the mid-70s and was delighted to find it on CD. It is a Symphonion Dream come true. Eclectic does not do justice to the music blend and other aural influences in these songs and music selections. I loved it then and love it even more today.
1- Product: Symphonium Dream is a great bridge between the early novelty/old timey/california country rock NGDB and their later more pop/country sound. Not a hard fast break, but a definite move in that direction. Maybe even a little New Agey thrown in for good measure. A must have for NGDB fans and sure to be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the roots of Americana music. 2- Service: The transaction was simple and pain free, the CD arrived in short order in excellent shape, well packaged. I would be very comfortable doing business with them anytime.
One of the few albums that my wife and I really enjoy every time we hear it. It features Linda Ronstadt singing a Hank Williams classic and Leon Russell on keyboards on another standout performance. Also there is"Rippling Waters", a gorgeously beautiful love song, followed by the instant sing along cover of the Everly Brothers "Dream". But what sets this collection apart from other concept albums of this era is the sound effects linking one song to the next.
This album was a dud on the charts probably because the Dirt Band had the worst record company (UA) at the time. This is their best single album - for all the reasons that make an album great. If you only own one dirt band album this is the one - but check out the 3 circle package (104 audio and video selections from 60 of americana's greats) on amazon if you want a great piece of amercian music history, dirt cheap-no pun intended.
I purchased this when it came out back in the 70's. I was enjoying country rock at the time (although my tastes range from pop, through rock, soul, progressive, jazz etc.) and my favourite album of the genre had been The Eagles "Desperado". I had the live "Stars And Stripes Forever" double and it had been a constant fave and had led me to "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", a brilliant triple elpee that converted me to the bluegrass and country belted out by the all star guests.
But this was very different and yet retained the same kind of feel coupled with a more progressive ideal. From the very beginning with the whirring of Winterwhite it grabbed my attention... then sliding in to an instrumental guitar picking bouncy ride of a tune before morphing on to the sound of thunder and the emergence from what feels like a smoke filled field in to the most excellent version of "Battle Of New Orleans". Crisp acoustic guitars, a deep deep bass and a thumping rhythm make this a tune that still hits the spot every time I hear it. The rest of side one goes through various styles and changes whilst always holding the attention. A brilliant 20 minutes or so with the closing sounds acutually sounding like some weird kind of dream. Side two is less varied... more mainstream but still has wonderful tunes that stick like treacle after you have heard them a few times.
All in all, a brilliant album that benefits from repeated plays and still ranks in the top albums in my collection. If you like country rock, country, bluegrass and/or progressive country then you deserve to give this non seller (in the UK) a listen. It will probably become an instant fave for you too.
Haven't got the CD yet, as above, it's i the air on it's way to hit my "outdoor mailbox" in the near future, but "The Battle of New Orleans" alone is worth the five stars! So there's not a chance that I'm gonna be disappointed... Btw, I think all of the NGDB:s CDs are great! Soon I've got them all... Janne/Sweden
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