Dirt, Silver & Gold
Artist: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Dirt, Silver & Gold started life as a daunting triple-LP compilation in 1976, summing up the highlights of the group's first decade, and later found a second life of sorts on CD from One Way Records. Anyone who owns One-Way Records' reissue of Dirt, Silver & Gold should take a good, long look at this reissue from BGO, which not only features... Read More

Greatest Hits - RCA
Artist: Waylon Jennings

RCA's nine-track 1979 Greatest Hits collection has since been supplemented by more thorough compilations -- most notably the double-disc sets Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line and RCA Country Legends -- but as a snapshot of Waylon at his outlaw peak, this serves quite well. And, make no mistake, this concentrates solely on the outlaw years,... Read More

The Troublemaker
Artist: Willie Nelson

Released in late 1976, at the height of Willie mania, The Troublemaker is Willie Nelson's first all-gospel album, but country gospel in his hands doesn't sound like traditional country gospel -- it's a Willie album, through and through, performed with the freewheeling Family as support. Consequently, it's every bit as wonderfully idiosyncratic... Read More

Honky Tonk Man - ROUNDER
Artist: Steve Young
Community Score: 4.00

1975 marked the return to the recording scene for Steve Young. Honky Tonk Man, released on Wisconsin's tiny Mountain Railroad Records, was his first recording since Seven Bridges Road in 1971 (which had been reissued in 1973). This is the most straight-up country record Young ever cut. He handles both lead and rhythm guitar chores with a band of... Read More

Renegade Picker
Artist: Steve Young
Community Score: 5.00

Renegade Picker, issued in 1976, is the first of a pair recorded for RCA -- to date, Young's last major-label deal. Renegade Picker and its compatriot, No Place to Fall, issued two years later, are stellar examples of outlaw country at its best. Equal parts country, rock, blues, and gospel, the album is stocked like a trout pond with awesome... Read More

No Place to Fall
Artist: Steve Young
Community Score: 5.00

Issued in 1978, No Place to Fall is, regrettably, the second and last album for RCA. Like its predecessor, Renegade Picker, Young's ever-evolving music is centered in the heart of outlaw country this time out, though there are, as usual, interesting twists and turns. The band is stellar, with Buddy Emmons and Buddy Spicher, Tracy Nelson, Jerry... Read More

Nashville West
Artist: Nashville West

There are a few records that can be considered birthplaces of what has become known as "country-rock." Two Gene Clark albums, Echoes and Fantastic Expedition, come to mind, as well as the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo and the International Submarine Band's debut. Add to that list -- and put it high up there -- Nashville West, a self-titled... Read More

The Christmas Album
Artist: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Christmas Album finds the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band turning in a typically tasteful album and a surprisingly strong country holiday record. Along with a couple recent holiday tunes and originals, the Dirt Band puts their distinctive spin on traditional carols like "Silver Bells," "Silent Night," and "Little Drummer Boy." The end result is quite... Read More