Years ago in the mid ‘70’s I heard about this guitar fella that used to be a backup guitarist on the Johnny Cash TV show. He went on the play on the “Circle” album, became a member of John Hartford’s group, and started making records of his won. I had the Fields of November album and fell in love with Norman Blake’s playing. Here’s a real fine song he wrote.
https://youtu.be/3ZNnYIksQO8?si=krE6UF9iqujzByXr
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Edited by - chuckv97 on 04/25/2025 14:37:16
Spot on, Chuck.
Guitar-wise, Norman is up there in the six-string stratosphere with Doc, Tony, and one or two others.
Song-wise, he is one of the very few who can write "old" folk songs: "Billy Gray," "Chattanooga Sugar Babe," "Church Street Blues," "Lord Won't You Help Me," "Southern Railroad Blues," et al. -- I wish I could have written just one of those!
Tim Jumper I liked his song “Uncle” ,, sort of about Bill’s Uncle Pen.
Last Train From Poor Valley is one of my favorites of Norman’s songs. I got to see Norman play a concert at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco sometime in the mid-80’s. It was just him and his wife, Nancy. He had his old Martin from the mid-30’s with him. He played through his set list then began taking requests from the audience. He played a couple of my requests. He’d not been to SF before, so he told us a couple stories about his take on things. It was a real enjoyable evening.
One of my favorites , especially Ben Eldridge's banjo work w/ the Scene .
first time i heard it was seldom scenes version and ole ben walking it in on the 5. that sold me on learning his style. he showed me you could easily blend scruggs and melodic and it sound correct.
luckily i got to sit down with him a few times at festivals i attended or was playing.. a real gentleman.
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