The band's best-known song was a 1970 cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's folk song "Mr. Bojangles". Their greatest critical acclaim has been for a 1972 album of country and folk standards, recorded in Nashville in collaboration with more traditional country artists, entitled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" was a collaboration album recorded in 1972 by the Dirt band with traditional artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Merle Watson, Jimmy Martin, Junior Huskey, Norman Blake, and Pete Oswald Kirby (known to Grand Ole Opry fans as Bashful Brother Oswald). Vassar Clements, not widely known then, was tapped for fiddle duties which led to greater notoriety and success for him.
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" featured classic bluegrass and folk standards written by A.P Carter, Doc Watson and others. The title comes from the song of the same name but indicates what the Dirt Band was trying to achieve. The long-haired boys from California were making an effort to reach out to the older veterans of American music and unite them in a divided America. Two other editions were released, one in the 1980s and another after September 11, 2001.
In July 1974 The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was one of the headline acts at The Ozark Music Festival, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia, Missouri. Some estimates have put the crowd count at 350,000 people, which would make this one of the largest music events in history.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's peak in popularity – at least on the radio — came during the mid- to late-1980s, when they charted a string of successful songs. Among the lot were three No. 1 singles: "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" (1984); "Modern Day Romance" (1985); and "Fishin' in the Dark" (1987). Other successful songs were "Dance Little Jean" (1983); "I Love Only You" (1984); "High Horse" (1985); "Home Again in My Heart," "Partners, Brothers and Friends" and "Stand a Little Rain" (1986); "Fire in the Sky," "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and "Oh What a Love" (1987); "Working Man (Nowhere to Go)" and "I've Been Lookin'" (1988); and "Down That Road Tonight" and "When it's Gone" (1989).
The current members are:
* Bob Carpenter - keyboard, accordion, bass, and vocals (1977-present)
* Jimmie Fadden - drums, harmonica,guitar, washtub bass, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* Jeff Hanna - guitar, mandolin, drums, harmonica, bass, washboard, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* John McEuen - banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion washtub bass and vocals (1966-1986 & 2001-present)
Former members:
* Ralph Barr - guitar, clarinet and vocals (1966-1968)
* Merel Bregante - drums and percussion (1977-1979)
* Jackson Browne - guitar and vocals (1966)
* John Cable - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Jackie Clark - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Chris Darrow - fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals (1967-1968)
* Michael Gardner - drums (1980-1981)
* Al Garth - saxophone, fiddle, keyboard, percussion and vocals (1977-1981)
* Richard Hathaway - bass and vocals (1977-1981)
* Jimmy Ibbotson - guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, accordion, drums, flute and vocals (1968-1975 & 1982-2004)
* Bruce Kunkel - guitar, kazoo, vocals (1966-1967)
* Bernie Leadon - guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals (1987-1989)
* Vic Mastrianni - drums (1980-1981)
* Les Thompson - guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals (1966-1973)
Orange Blossom Special
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin' on down the track
Well look a-yonder comin'
Comin' on down the track
It's the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back
Well talk about her ramblin'
Well talk about her travellin'
She's the fastest train on the line
She's the Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line
Well, I'm going down to Florida
Get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe California
Get some sand in my shoes
I'll ride the Orange Blossom Special
And lose those New York blues
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Orange Blossom Special" is a classic train song that tells the story of a man eagerly awaiting the arrival of his lover via the train. The song paints a vivid picture of a classic steam train rolling down the tracks and the excitement of hearing its whistle in the distance. The lyrics are filled with a sense of longing as the singer looks forward to reuniting with his lover, who is arriving on the Orange Blossom Special, the fastest train on the line. The song beautifully captures the nostalgia and romance associated with train travel and the emotions that come with long-distance love.
The opening lines of the song set the scene for the listener, as the singer describes the approach of the train. The second verse highlights the speed and efficiency of the Orange Blossom Special, which is portrayed as the best and fastest train on the line. The third verse finds the singer dreaming of traveling to a warmer climate, either Florida or California, to escape the hustle and bustle of New York. The excitement and anticipation of boarding the train and leaving his troubles behind are palpable, as the singer looks forward to riding the Orange Blossom Special.
Overall, "Orange Blossom Special" is a classic train song that captures the joy and excitement of travel and the anticipation of being reunited with a loved one. Its catchy melody and upbeat tempo make it a timeless classic that is still beloved by fans of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Well look a-yonder comin'
There's something approaching in the distance
Comin' on down the track
It's getting closer and closer
It's the Orange Blossom Special
It's the famous train called the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back
And it's bringing my love back to me
Well talk about her ramblin'
People say it travels far and wide
She's the fastest train on the line
That it's the quickest and most efficient among other trains
Well talk about her travellin'
Her reputation precedes itself in terms of traveling speed
She's the Orange Blossom Special
It's still the famous train called the Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line
It's currently moving along the coastal railroad tracks
Well, I'm going down to Florida
I'm headed to Florida
Get some sand in my shoes
To relax and take in the warm climate
Or maybe California
I might instead explore the sunny state of California
Get some sand in my shoes
Either way, my goal is to spend some time in a more laid-back atmosphere
I'll ride the Orange Blossom Special
I'll enjoy traveling on the famous Orange Blossom Special train
And lose those New York blues
And finally shake off the stress and worries that usually come with living in New York City
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.