Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Live 25 Anniversary Package

 (8 customer reviews)

Until my tape of Live Two Five wore out, I listened to it constantly. I think the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band enjoyed making this record, and it showed. The highlights are numerous. My favorite cut is "Mr. Bojangles". Jeff Hanna sang great on NGDB's 1970 version, which is on the band's Uncle Charlie album. The song in my opinion sounds even better live. In addition to Hanna's singing, Bob Carpenter's stellar piano and accordion work highlights this track. Another older Dirt Band tune which is featured is Jimmy Ibbotson's "Ripplin' Waters", which originally appeared on NGDB's 1975 album Dream. This is a well-written, excellent song which in my opinion is often overlooked. On the live version, the Dirt Band plays all of their instruments except the accordion. Also, Ibbotson and Hanna both do some fine lead guitar work on this one, and Carpenter contributes a piano solo which had me mentally exclaiming, "Awesome!" the first time I heard it...Read more

If I were to list my Ten Favorite Live Albums of all time, "Live Two Five" would be on that list. Recorded in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada on March 13, 14 & 15, 1991. We find The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, at the top of their game, in-front of a happy crowd that are soakin' all this Music in. During their 25th year Anniversity, they are out on tour, business as usual. But what business this is: "Mr. Bojangles","Make A Little Magic", "Fishin' In The Dark","You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" , "High Horse", "Dance Little Jean", "Ripplin' Water" and "I've Been Lookin'. Sixteen Songs here, and everyone of them...Great. With only four players on stage, Jeff, Ibby, Rob and Jimmy, they pick up and play 12 different instruments and do they play, oh yeah! With a 'Short' version of: "Ripplin' Waters", that clocks in slightly under 11 Minutes, everyone solos here, Harp, Acoustic Guitar, Piano {Majestic Piano!}, Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar right into a big,BIG finish..This is incredible music...Read more

I got this cassette at one of their concerts and played it until it wore out. It helped me through some tough times in my life...I listened to it each night when I went to bed and their songs, especially 'Stand a Little Rain', helped me face each new day. If you haven't made the Dirt Band a part of your life, this collection is a great place to start. A must-have!