This compilation is a must-have purchase for neophyte and die-hard NGDB fans alike. For the casual fan, this covers most of the highlights from their first decade. While their pre-UNCLE CHARLIE releases had them often performing jug band, sometimes goofy material (like Cab Colloway's "Willie the Weeper"); they had a minor hit with "Buy for Me the Rain," which is a minor classic. Starting with 1970's UNCLE CHARLIE & HIS DOG TEDDY through 1975's SYMPHONIUM DREAM, every song is top notch. They even throw in a few tracks from their landmark WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN album.

What makes this essential for the serious fan is that several of the tracks on disc two did not appear on previous studio albums and were released for the first time on this compilation back in 1976. Among the then new songs are "Mother Earth (Provides for Me)" and the Jeff Hanna original "Bowlegs."

While they didn't write all their own material, they utilized some of best songwriters avalable like Michale Nesmith ("Some of Shelly's Blues", Jackson Browne ("Melissa"), Michael Murphy ("Cosmic Cowboy, Part I"), Kenny Loggins ("House at Pooh Corner), and of course Jerry Jeff Walker, who penned their signature song "Mr. Bojangles."

This collection shows how important NGDB were along with the Byrds, Poco and the Flying Burrito Brothers in developing the country/rock genre. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I have this albem on vinal and not only it is great i thougth it was dicontenued that nks for having it on you sight

After years of being unavailable in any form, England's BGO Records has just re-issued this outstanding compilation album from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Originally released in 1976 as a 3-LP set, it contains a wide selection of some of the band's very best work from their "golden era"-- roughly their first ten years. All of the better known material is here, including eight cuts from the classic "Uncle Charlie" album. Also included are many great songs from other equally fine but lesser known albums. Several of the cuts appear to have been recorded specifically for this collection and are not available anywhere else. All are excellent. As is typical of releases on BGO, the entire album has been remastered and the sound is great. The packaging and liner notes are superb, as well, preserving as much as possible of the elaborate sleeve design of the original vinyl LP. Then the entire package is wrapped in a protective cardboard outer sleeve. Great job, all the way around. If you are a Dirt Band fan, this CD is absolutely essential. If you are just getting interested in the band, this is quite possibly the finest introduction that I can imagine. Very highly recommended!

I bought this selection when it first came out and had it on cassette tape. Well after years of play and abuse it died. Since it was out of production I thought thats it but it finally came out on cd. I ordered it as soon as I saw it was available

It is great! nuff said!