"Make a Little Magic" by The Dirt Band

Song#:  0226
Date:  06/21/1980
Debut:  71
Peak:  25
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Soft Rock, Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  Originally named The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and formed in 1966, they shortened their moniker to just The Dirt Band it in 1975. Through the years, membership to the band was a revolving door but two original members Jeff Hanna and Jimmie Fadden have remained in the band since the beginning. The group's sound has also gone through changes. They began as a jug band and then "went electric" a couple of years later adopting a more folk-rock sound. Then as the 70s wore on, they pushed their sound towards pop. Their first 80s album, "Make a Little Magic," still kept the pop/rock sound going, but they were becoming less successful and this title track would be their last to get into the pop Top 30. But further changes later in the decade would bring them major success on the country chart.

ReduxReview:  The song has a bit of a new-country feel to it and I'm surprised it didn't do better on the country chart (#77). However, it also sound like an Eagles-lite tune backed by Linda Ronstadt. It is a pleasant enough tune that is well-performed, but it's not grabbing my attention.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) One of the original members of the group was Jackson Browne. He stayed with them for a few months before leaving to pursue his solo career.  2) Background vocals on this song were provided by Nicolette Larson.

_________________________________________________________________________________