Will the Circle Be Unbroken (album) explained

Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Type:studio
Artist:Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Cover:The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-Will the Circle Be Unbroken (album cover).jpg
Released:November 1972
Recorded:August 1971
Length:109:02
120:02 (2002 reissue)
Label:United Artists
Producer:William McEuen
Prev Title:All the Good Times
Prev Year:1971
Next Title:Stars & Stripes Forever
Next Year:1974

Will the Circle Be Unbroken is the seventh studio album by American country music group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released in November 1972, through United Artists Records. The album was a collaboration with many famous bluegrass and country-and-western players, including Roy Acuff, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Merle Travis, Pete "Oswald" Kirby, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others. It also introduced fiddler Vassar Clements to a wider audience.

The album was considered a breakthrough in bridging generational and musical differences between the old guard of Nashville, Tennessee and the younger country rock movement.[1] Will the Circle Be Unbroken reached number 4 on Billboards Top Country Albums chart, and was eventually certified platinum for selling over one million copies. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released two follow-up albums in 1989 and 2002.

History

The album's title comes from a song by Ada R. Habershon (re-arranged by A. P. Carter) and reflects how the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was trying to tie together two generations of musicians. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was a young country-rock band with a hippie look. Acuff described them as "a bunch of long-haired West Coast boys." The other players were much older and more famous from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, primarily as old-time country and bluegrass players. Many had become known to their generation through the Grand Ole Opry. However, with the rise of rock-and-roll, the emergence of the commercial country's slick "Nashville sound", and changing tastes in music, their popularity had waned somewhat from their glory years. Acuff was initially contemptuous of the project, but later relented and participated.[2]

The album cover features an image of Union Admiral David Dixon Porter.[3] Every track on the album was recorded on the first or second take straight to two-track masters, so the takes are raw and unprocessed. Additionally, another tape ran continuously throughout the entire week-long recording session and captured the dialog between the players. On the final album, many of the tracks—including the first track—begin with the musicians discussing how to perform the song or who should come in where in any given portion of a song.

The record includes the first meeting of Doc Watson and Merle Travis, after whom Watson's son, Merle, was named. Bill Monroe, sixty years old at the time, refused to participate in the recordings.[4]

Originally appearing in 1972 as a three LP album and three-cassette tape offering, Will the Circle Be Unbroken was remastered and re-released in 2002 as a two compact disc set. The original album was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 6, 1997, indicating shipments of 500,000 copies. It has sold 301,600 copies as of October 2019.[5]

Much later, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded two subsequent albums, and Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III, in an attempt to repeat the process with other historically significant musicians. Volume Two won the Country Music Association's 1989 Album of the Year as well as three Grammys. In 1990, the album was celebrated on the PBS music television program Austin City Limits, which featured a performance by the full ensemble of guests on the Carter Family song, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", from the original 1972 album.[6]

Track listing

Disc one

  1. "Grand Ole Opry Song" (Hylo Brown) – 2:59
  2. "Keep on the Sunny Side" (A.P. Carter, Gary Garett) – 3:35
  3. "Nashville Blues" (Earl Scruggs) – 3:10
    • Earl Scruggs-Lead banjo, McEuen-Banjo, Hanna-Washboard, Jimmie Fadden-Harmonica, Clements-Fiddle, Randy Scruggs-Guitar, Norman Blake-Dobro, Huskey-Bass
  4. "You Are My Flower" (A.P. Carter) – 3:35
    • McEuen-Banjo, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Blake-Dobro, Fadden-Autoharp, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass, Randy Scruggs-Guitar; Hanna, Thompson, Randy Scruggs-Background vocals
  5. "The Precious Jewel" (Roy Acuff) – 3:30
    • Roy Acuff-Lead Vocal, McEuen-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Randy Scruggs-Autoharp, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass, Kirby-Dobro
  6. "Dark as a Dungeon" (Merle Travis) – 2:45
    • Travis-Lead vocal and guitar, McEuen-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Thompson, Ibbotson-Background vocals
  7. "Tennessee Stud" (Jimmie Driftwood) – 4:22
    • Watson-Lead vocal and guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibbotson-Guitar, Huskey-Bass, Clements-Fiddle, Hanna-Background vocal
  8. "Black Mountain Rag" (traditional; credited to Thomas Magness on the album) – 2:10
    • Watson-Lead guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Ibbotson-guitar, Thompson-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  9. "Wreck on the Highway" (Dorsey Dixon) – 3:24
    • Acuff-Lead Vocal, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, Kirby-Dobro, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  10. "The End of the World" (Fred Rose) – 3:53
    • Oswald-Dobro, Watson-Guitar, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Huskey-Bass
  11. "I Saw the Light" (Hank Williams) – 3:45
    • Acuff-Lead Vocal, Earl Scruggs-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, McEuen-Mandolin, Watson-Guitar, Kirby-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Randy Scruggs-Autoharp, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Thompson, Ibbotson, Martin-Background Vocals
  12. "Sunny Side of the Mountain" (Byron Gregory, Harry McAuliffe) – 2:14
    • Martin-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Thompson-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibottson-Snare, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Thompson, Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin-Background Vocals
  13. "Nine-Pound Hammer" (Merle Travis) – 2:14
    • Travis-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Ibbotson, Thompson-Background Vocals
  14. "Losin' You (Might Be the Best Thing Yet)" (Edria A. Humphrey, Jimmy Martin) – 2:44
    • Martin-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, Ibbotson-Snare, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  15. "Honky Tonkin'" (Hank Williams) – 2:19
    • Fadden-Lead Vocal, Hanna-Guitar, Blake-Dobro, Clements-Lead Guitar and Fiddle, Thompson-Mandolin, Huskey-Bass, Ibbotson-Drums
  16. "You Don't Know My Mind" (Jimmie Skinner) – 2:45
    • Martin-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Thompson-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibbotson-Drums, Huskey-Bass, Clements-Fiddle; Hanna, Thompson, Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin-Background Vocals
  17. "My Walkin' Shoes" (Jimmy Martin, Paul Williams) – 2:02
    • Martin-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Thompson-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibottson-Snare, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Thompson, Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin-Background Vocals

Disc two

  1. "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" (Vassar Clements) – 2:41
    • Clements-Fiddle, McEuen-Banjo, Ibbotson-Guitar, Fadden-Harmonica, Hanna-Washboard, Thompson-Mandolin, Randy Scruggs-Guitar, Ellis Padget-Bass
  2. "Cannonball Rag" (Merle Travis) – 1:15
    • Travis-Guitar, Huskey-Bass
  3. "Avalanche" (Millie Clements) – 2:50
    • Clements-Fiddle, McEuen-Banjo, Ibbotson-Guitar, Hanna-Washboard, Thompson-Mandolin, Fadden-Harmonica, Huskey-Bass
  4. "Flint Hill Special" (Earl Scruggs) – 2:12
    • Earl Scruggs-Banjo, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, Gary Scruggs-Guitar, Blake-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass
  5. "Togary Mountain" (Walter McEuen) – 2:25
    • McEuen-Banjo, Ibbotson-Guitar, Thompson-Mandolin, Blake-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  6. "Earl's Breakdown" (Earl Scruggs) – 2:34
    • Earl Scruggs-Banjo, Randy Scruggs-Guitar, Clements-Fiddle, Thompson-Mandolin, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass
  7. "Orange Blossom Special" (Ervin T. Rouse) – 2:14
    • Clements-Fiddle, McEuen-Banjo, Thompson-Mandolin, Martin-Guitar, Ibbotson-Snare, Randy Scruggs-Guitar, Padgett-Bass
  8. "Wabash Cannonball" (A.P. Carter) – 2:00
    • Kirby-Dobro, Fadden-Harmonica, Watson-Guitar, Huskey-Bass, Earl Scruggs-Guitar
  9. "Lost Highway" (Leon Payne) – 3:37
    • Ibbotson-Lead Vocal and Guitar, Thompson-Mandolin, Hanna-Drums, Clements-Fiddle, Blake-Dobro, Huskey-Bass, McEuen-Banjo
  10. Doc Watson & Merle Travis First Meeting (Dialogue) – 1:52
  11. "Way Downtown" (traditional, Doc Watson) – 3:30
    • Watson-Lead Vocal and Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Thompson-Mandolin, Ibbotson-Guitar, Fadden-Harmonica, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass, Hanna-Background Vocal
  12. "Down Yonder" (arr. Doc Watson) – 1:48
    • Watson-Guitar, McEuen-Banjo, Ibbotson-Guitar, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, Hanna-Washboard, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  13. "Pins and Needles (In My Heart)" (Floyd Jenkins) – 2:53
    • Acuff-Lead Vocal, Kirby-Dobro, Fadden-Harmonica, Thompson-Mandolin, McEuen-Banjo, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Clements-FIddle, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass
  14. "Honky Tonk Blues" (Hank Williams) – 2:22
    • Hanna-Lead Vocal, Bill McEuen-Guitar, Ibbotson-Drums, Blake-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass
  15. "Sailin' on to Hawaii" (Beecher Kirby) – 2:00
    • Kirby-Dobro, Watson-Guitar, Scruggs-Guitar, Huskey-Bass
  16. "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" (A.P. Carter) – 4:25
    • Carter-Lead Vocal and Guitar, Earl Scruggs-Banjo, McEuen-Mandolin, Travis, Guitar, Kirby-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass; Hanna, Thompson, Ibbotson, Randy Scruggs-Background Vocals
  17. "I am a Pilgrim" (traditional) – 2:55
    • Travis-Lead Vocal and Guitar, Fadden-Harmonica, Ibbotson-Snare, Huskey-Bass
  18. "Wildwood Flower" (A.P. Carter) – 3:34
    • Carter-Lead Vocal and Autoharp, Earl Scruggs-Guitar, Ibbotson-Guitar, Thompson-Mandolin, Huskey-Bass
  19. "Soldier's Joy" (John McEuen, Earl Scruggs) – 2:05
  20. "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (A.P. Carter) – 4:50
    • Carter-Lead Vocal (first and fourth verses) and Autoharp, Earl Scruggs-Banjo, Watson-Guitar, Fadden-Harmonica, Travis-Guitar, McEuen-Mandolin, Martin-Lead Vocal (second verse) Guitar, Kirby-Dobro, Clements-Fiddle, Huskey-Bass, Acuff-Lead Vocal (third verse); Watson, Hanna, Ibbotson, Thompson, Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin, Timmy Martin, Randy Scruggs, Betty Travis, Fred Cross, Gloria Belle, Louise Scruggs, Steve Scruggs, Chet Flippo, Martha Flippo, Larry Murray, Mike Carr, Alice McEuen-Background Vocals
  21. "Both Sides Now" (Joni Mitchell) – 2:19
    • Randy Scruggs-Guitar
    • 2002 Reissue bonus tracks
  22. "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" (Earl Scruggs) – 2:39
  23. Warming Up for "The Opry" – 2:43
  24. Sunny Side – 4:06
  25. "Remember Me" (Scotty Wiseman) – 1:32

Notes and References

  1. Allmusic review
  2. Burns, Ken . 2019 . Country Music. Television documentary . USA . PBS.
  3. Web site: Union Cartes-de-Visite: Robert Brown Potter, Andrew Porter, Benjamin Mayberry Prentiss, William D. Porter, Fitz John Porter, David Dixon Porter, John Pope. Heritage Auctions. April 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220415021045/https://historical.ha.com/itm/photography/cdvs/union-cartes-de-visite-robert-brown-potter-andrew-porter-benjamin-mayberry-prentiss-william-d-porter-fitz-john-porter-d-total-7/a/6163-43423.s. April 15, 2022. live.
  4. Jack Hurst, "Bill Monroe: From Refined Oil to Slick Music," in The Bill Monroe Reader (ed. Tom Ewing, University of Illinois, 2000), 102.
  5. Web site: Top Country Catalog Album Sales: October 9, 2019. RoughStock. Matt . Bjorke . October 9, 2019 . October 15, 2019 .
  6. https://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/artists/program354.html Will The Circle Be Unbroken” with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Denver and Friends

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