Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 'Speed of Life'

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band can fall under several genres, but their newest release is best referred to as country.  “Speed of Life” (NGDB Records) which was released Tuesday, is their first album since 2004. 

The opener,  “Tulsa Sounds Like Trouble To Me,” is swinging old-time country.  “Going Up the Country,” in spite of its title, is more bluegrass, as is “Jimmy Martin,” a tribute to one of that genre’s lesser-known pioneers.

 The music makers are Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter  and John McEuen,  who often works on his own music, including several local appearances.

He is the only member whose vocals aren’t heard on “Speed of Life,” but he keeps plenty busy playing  banjo, mandolin, fiddle, lap steel  and finger-style acoustic guitar.

  “Earthquake” features the pungent line “I’m gettin’ out of here,” and “It’s Good To Be Alive” is a fun piece that is not over when you think it is.

 The mumbling at songs’ end, the singing and the musicianship all add up to just what you would expect from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – a great deal of enjoyment from a class act.

– Frank Roberts

Tracks to download  “Earthquake,” “It’s Good To Be Alive”