Many of the songs and instrumentals are covers, especially of songs already associated with one or other of the participants. The Carter Family songbook is represented by Keep on the sunny side, You are my flower, Wabash Cannonball, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes, Wildwood flower and the title track. Merle Travis contributed Dark as a dungeon, Nine pound hammer, Cannonball rag, and I am a pilgrim. Earl Scruggs contributed Nashville blues, Flint Hill special and Earl's breakdown. Roy Acuff revived some of his own hits including The precious jewel, Pins and needles and Wreck on the highway. Fans of Hank Williams will recognize I saw the light, Honky tonking, I saw the light and Honky tonk blues. Another famous song is Orange blossom special, but my favorites here are Grand Old Opry song (which may be an original song) and Tennessee stud, a cover of a Jimmy Driftwood song.

It is clear that everybody had a lot of fun making this album, which remains the greatest triumph in the long career of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. If you enjoy this album, remember that the group recorded two further Circle albums, each with their own distinctive character.
Peter Durward Harris

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