For Most of the Eighties (and the Nineties, too, for that matter), the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band decided they were not a jug band/roots rock/bluegrass/country-rock band. Instead, they were a country band. And by and large, country music was all the better for it. Granted, the NGDB's albums beginning with American Dream in 1979 would be of mixed quality (even though I dutifully bought them all).

So what you get here on Vol. II are the highlights of those albums. Gems like Bruce Springsteen's "Cadillac Ranch," the joyous "Fishin' in the Dark," the rousing "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and the melancholy "Face on the Cutting Room Floor." Other highlights are original songs like Jimmy Ibbotson and Jeff Hanna's "I've Been Lookin'," Ibbotson's "Oh What a Love" and Jimmie Fadden's "Workin' Man (Nowhere to Go)." The songs feature impeccable playing, tight harmonies and just enough mandolin, steel guitar and banjo to lend an authenticity lacking in much of Nashville's cookie-cutter approach to country music.

If there's any criticism of this disc, it's that it's too short. It's like eating a bag of chips. Each one is so good, you're disappointed when you get to the end. In the CD Age there's no excuse for a 10-track, 34-minute CD, especially when you're talking about a disc that purports to be "The Best of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band." RECOMMENDED

This is a great CD! I was only 4 years old when it came out but I totally love it! Even if you arent the biggest country music fan, you will like this! Fishin in the Dark and Working Man and Cadillac Ranch are the absolute best songs, but the rest are great too! You should really get this cd, its worth the money!

I've always enjoyed the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. They play some great music with nice harmonies and mandolins...yes, mandolins. I'm a sucker for that instrument. This particular greatest hits offering includes some of their biggest hits from the 80's. Just about everybody knows "Fishin' In The Dark," which, in my opinion, is one of the best country songs every placed on vinyl, or a cassette, or a disc. "I've Been Lookin'" and "Baby's Got A Hold On Me" are also here. Those three songs alone are worth the price of this disc.

Other highlights include "Face On The Cutting Room Floor," "Oh What A Love," and "Down That Road Tonight."

In summary, if you're interested in groups like Shenandoah, Restless Heart, and the Eagles, you'll probably enjoy these guys. They are more country than Restless Heart and the Eagles, but they don't have that forced "twang" that lingers on some of Shenandoah's songs.

A definite buy.

Great album, country rock at its best.

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Great songs, from a great band. i am glad i purchased.

most of these are classics that you know by heart.