This is their definitive greatest hits collection - given that Paint Your Wagon songs are unlikely to ever be part of a collection like this. The Band's unique blend of country rockin' and tuneful experimentation makes for heady listening. Tracks like Mr. Bojangles are understandably brilliant, though even Collegiana, a campy send-up of undergrad life that borrowed its tune from a 1940s standard are do ot merit the lack of attention that they are generally given. Check out their covers of the Everlys, Horton and Jambalaya. Altogether a collection that defies categorization and is well worth the trifling sum that you have to shell out.

In 1992 I got this on cassette,and although the CD has 15 tracks vs.10 tracks on the tape,the tape has several songs that are not on this CD. Some of the songs not on the CD are rare early NGDB songs where they sound a little like The Association like "Shadow Dream Songs".I can't seem to find many of those rare tunes on other NGDB CD's,so I better hang on to my old tape.Why EMI/Liberty didn't include those songs on this CD,along with the bonus tracks the CD has to offer is beyond me. It would have been a great CD with all the songs from both tape & CD.

Since the band's beginnings in 1965, the members of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have continued to incorporate many elements of American music into their sound. Folk, jugband, country, bluegrass, blues, and pop are all part of the final blend. Group members all play a variety of instruments and have prided themselves in versatility.

This EMI America release, "The Best Of The Nitty Gritty Band", offers fifteen selected tracks from the group's early days through the first hits in the 1980's.

The 1960's are represented by the folk rock of their first single "Buy For Me The Rain" and the campy ragtime nostalgia of "Collegiana".

There are three selections from the band's classic 1970 LP "Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy"(along with Uncle Charlie's spoken intro): The popular #9 hit single "Mr. Bojangles"; Michael Nesmith's "Some Of Shelly's Blues"; and Kenny Loggins' "House At Pooh Corner".

Hank Williams'"Honky Tonk Blues" is from the Dirt classic LP set that featured Grand Ole Opry members entitled "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".

Many favorites from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's concert set list are included:"Jambalaya", "Battle Of New Orleans", "Bayou Jubilee/Sally Was a Goodun", and "Cosmic Cowboy".

The late 70's recordings are represented by "In For the Night" and a cover of the Everly Brothers' classic "All I Have To Do Is Dream".

Finally, the collection is rounded out with the pop hits that brought the group into the 1980's. The sublime "American Dream (w/Linda Ronstadt)", the soaring "Make A Little Magic(w/Nicolette Larson)", and the rocking "Fire In The Sky" are all highlights.

I LOVE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER,I'VE BEEN LOOKIN FOR THIS SONG FOREVER!