Mandolin Orange & Josh Oliver - The Last Train from Poor Valley

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  • Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
  • Mandolin Orange & Josh Oliver - The Last Train from Poor Valley
    Written by Norman Blake
    Filmed and multi-tracked by Beehive Productions in Saranac Lake, NY
    Emily Franz - Fiddle
    Andrew Marlin - Guitar
    Josh Oliver - Guitar
    May 2015
    Captured with Peluso Microphones

КОМЕНТАРІ • 91

  • @rufusblake3599
    @rufusblake3599 2 роки тому +76

    Norman wrote this song for June Carter Cash. They were recording a Christmas album at the House of Cash. June, John, Dad and others were talking about their memories of Christmas as a child. June talked about the last train leaving Poor Valley until the next spring. Dad came home that night and wrote the song sitting at the kitchen table on Richland Ave., Nashville, in about 15 minutes.

    • @atlcubsfan
      @atlcubsfan 2 роки тому +8

      Unreal story. I'd never heard it. Wow. Norman is a legend

    • @gabrielrougeau833
      @gabrielrougeau833 2 роки тому +5

      Thank you for this. I was listening to this song off of The Fields of November and I was driving to work early in the morning it was still dark outside and I had heard the song before, but for some reason on that drive I really heard it for the first time and it moved me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of hearing it as a Christmas song but I shrugged it off as the lyrics about the snow falling down around his cabin. So this confirmed my feelings the song brought me and goes to show how brilliant a song writer Norman Blake is.

    • @jonathanwinskie9788
      @jonathanwinskie9788 2 роки тому +8

      Such a cool backstory. Your dad is a legend. Cheers man.

    • @2dollarsaday
      @2dollarsaday Рік тому +5

      What a wonderful story. Love this song and your father and his music. Thanks so much for sharing.

    • @NSResponder
      @NSResponder Рік тому +7

      If this was the only song your father had ever written, he'd still be one of the greats.

  • @smudgysmudges8087
    @smudgysmudges8087 2 роки тому +21

    The reaction to Josh's lick at `2.0 minutes is one of my favourite youtube moments. Pure and genuine enjoyment. If it was a VHS my copy would be warped at this point by now!

    • @Phillsfan89
      @Phillsfan89 2 роки тому +1

      Too true

    • @allenhallnoch6937
      @allenhallnoch6937 Рік тому

      I come back to this video again and again and find myself tearing up a little every time. The song, their treatment of it, and the videography are all so beautiful and powerful.

  • @williamc.hensel130
    @williamc.hensel130 3 роки тому +12

    Grateful bow and hand to heart, with thanks to Norman Blake, to the Seldom Scene, to my wonderful friends and former neighbors in Franklin County, VA, and to God. Andy, Emily and Josh embody what I find so beautiful and poignant about central Appalachia - one of the most focused, in-sight-full musician-poets, the most beautiful of free spirit fiddlers, and a very laid-back, talented 'best man', who've been faithful to music and one another for years. 'Mandolin Orange' have re-christened themselves as 'Watchhouse' this year - new chapter, same long, fine story! And after years, I still come close to crying every time brown-haired Becky heads back to Richmond.

  • @richmondscribe
    @richmondscribe Рік тому +2

    Two cents time...as the son of an Appalachian coal miner I learned the meaning of "scrip" as a boy. Basically it was company tender instead of dollars used to pay the miners. I understand how folks might think the line is "get your ration script on time" but please, leave the "t" off at the end for accuracy's sake.

  • @kirklefevrejr.603
    @kirklefevrejr.603 5 років тому +18

    On the other songs I could barely hear Josh this time I can hear Josh and with you guys together this was the best video you guys put out as a trio. Wow that last part where the music went real low and is just vocals WOW. Probably one of my favorite mandolin Orange videos of all time well done

    • @Hubbardbilly
      @Hubbardbilly 5 років тому +3

      kirk lefevre Jr. Wait until you see the NPR tiny desk that just came out today...

  • @Jay-lr3me
    @Jay-lr3me 3 роки тому +8

    Vocals are smooth as butter

  • @atlcubsfan
    @atlcubsfan 3 роки тому +6

    Just got chills here listening to them harmonize on the chorus the first time. Wow....

  • @johnshaw7328
    @johnshaw7328 2 роки тому +3

    This is an excellent presentation of a great song! Wow!! Emily on that fiddle is superb! Move over Allison Krauss. Love this group!

  • @robertshorthill4153
    @robertshorthill4153 3 роки тому +4

    A very touching song, done proud by MO folks. Norman would appreciate and approve of these folks' version. I remember busking this song on streets of Seattle way back many decades ago.

  • @johno9754
    @johno9754 3 роки тому +7

    This is a wonderful rendition. And the fiddler’s eyes.❤️lol

    • @jacquesblaque7728
      @jacquesblaque7728 11 місяців тому +1

      By name, Emily. Yer not the only one totally taken by Emily.

  • @marckhachfe1238
    @marckhachfe1238 5 років тому +9

    These guys are astounding. They just get better and better.

  • @tommy2thumbs391
    @tommy2thumbs391 4 роки тому +17

    This is absolutely the best version of this song I've ever heard.. and I love seldom scene, norman Blake, and hell even billy strings version.. but this is the cream of the crop right here.

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 роки тому +1

      Norman Blake is a great songwriter, and a terrible singer. Seldom Scene rules this tune, but this Mandolin Orange version is damn good, too.

    • @stubs3849
      @stubs3849 4 роки тому

      Agreed. Best version.

    • @sheikwake
      @sheikwake 4 роки тому +3

      Mandolin Orange is my favorite band.
      However, Tim O’Brien does an outstanding vocal performance of this song just him and a mandolin at the end of a podcast called The Show on the Road.
      I could swear at the end of it (which I listened to maybe 10 times in a row) Brown-haired Becky left him in Poor Valley.
      Check it out.
      One doesn’t have to be better and I’m always a sucker for harmonies, but what he does is something special.

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 роки тому +1

      @@sheikwake Tim is amazing--will have to check that out

    • @briancook4248
      @briancook4248 2 роки тому +2

      Tony sings this one so nice. RIP

  • @margaretigoe1445
    @margaretigoe1445 3 роки тому +4

    I've just discovered you all and this song.... love it your music and voices
    played it over and over ..

  • @donnahargis8814
    @donnahargis8814 3 роки тому +7

    Andrew smiling at that low slide (2:08) just made my morning.

    • @thetriplenegative
      @thetriplenegative 3 роки тому +1

      Emily grinned, too. I don't get bird-leather much these days, but Josh is a talented picker, and those chill-bumps were a pleasant surprise.

    • @jackmurphy4788
      @jackmurphy4788 3 роки тому +1

      Josh in drop D. Works really well.

    • @thetriplenegative
      @thetriplenegative 3 роки тому +1

      @@jackmurphy4788 - I have watched Josh play a bit over the past few years-he has all of those extra gears a good guitarist needs. It's only a matter of time . . . . I am reminded of the first time I saw Steve Gaines play, even before he 'made the team'.
      Mandolin Orange, in all respects, is a breath of fresh air in an overly stagnant world filled with pretense and mindless flapdoodle. ;)

    • @ronmercer6880
      @ronmercer6880 3 роки тому +1

      That's pure respect , Donna.....

  • @BrunoGrazianoG
    @BrunoGrazianoG 4 роки тому +8

    Well it was good one time everything was mighty fine
    The coal tipples roared day and night
    But things they got slow for no reason that I know
    And ill winds they hove into sight
    The mines all closed down everybody laid around
    There wasn’t very much left to do
    Except stand in that line to get your ration script on time
    And woman I could see it killin’ you
    Now the soft new snows of December
    Lightly fall my cabin ’round And the last train from Poor Valley
    Takin’ brown haired Becky Richmond bound
    It’s been a comin’ on and on lord soon you would be gone
    Leavin’ crossed your mind every day
    Then you said to me things are bad back home you see
    I guess I better be on my way
    Well I should blame you know but I never could somehow
    A miner’s wife you weren’t cutout to be
    It wasn’t what you thought just some dreams that you’d bought
    When you left home and ran away with me

  • @Phillsfan89
    @Phillsfan89 2 роки тому +2

    I believe in love at first site with the fiddle player! Beautifully done guys! Outstanding stuff!

  • @charliegarvin775
    @charliegarvin775 11 місяців тому +1

    I've probably watched this video 60 times and I never get tired of it. The harmony play between them is impeccable. I wish Josh had leaned in a little because I lose him sometimes but that just makes me appreciate when I can all the more. This is honestly one of those videos that when it shows up in my feed I can't help but watch it to the end. Beautifully done.

  • @lanehancockwvo1442
    @lanehancockwvo1442 3 роки тому +2

    Always listened to Seldom Scene doing this number growing up, and still am yet to find a bad rendition

  • @spgokc78
    @spgokc78 5 років тому +4

    Damn that's good music!!!

  • @Papaduke
    @Papaduke 5 років тому +4

    RIP John Starling

  • @Mjollnir50
    @Mjollnir50 4 роки тому +2

    Josh's J45 is a cannon when he wants it to step up. Nice job, all of you.

  • @ArjunLSen
    @ArjunLSen 3 роки тому +2

    Totally outstanding ! 👏👏

  • @JohnGieschenJr
    @JohnGieschenJr 5 років тому +3

    Holy shit Sarnac Lake!!! Nice

  • @clintjordan5846
    @clintjordan5846 3 роки тому +1

    Very nice . Find the Seldom Scene version also. Fine job

    • @robertshorthill4153
      @robertshorthill4153 3 роки тому +1

      That's where I first learned it from. Got a few miles out of it busking in Seattle in the early '70s. Wonderful song.

  • @mandosandradios
    @mandosandradios 4 місяці тому

    is there other guy plaiyng a lg2?

  • @BlindTom61
    @BlindTom61 2 роки тому +1

    Good stuff indeed...

  • @klippdachs
    @klippdachs 4 роки тому +3

    Fine singing!
    Well done.

  • @thefretfiend
    @thefretfiend 3 роки тому +2

    Beautiful!!!

  • @mikeEstreet
    @mikeEstreet Рік тому +1

    Thank goodness there is still great talent out there

  • @ThisCreaturesFeatures
    @ThisCreaturesFeatures 3 місяці тому

    5 years ago? I'm gone!

  • @denttech2515
    @denttech2515 4 роки тому +2

    Awesome... just awesome

  • @dustbat
    @dustbat 6 місяців тому

    Always loved this song. You can SEE the situation unfold through the beautiful words. Love the writers.🦇

  • @drewby613
    @drewby613 Рік тому

    Interesting vocal stacking. Seems like the lower pitched guy is singing the tenor part, while the higher pitched woman's voice is singing the baritone. Very cool. Great guitars, heck *everybody* is good on this one.

  • @robertgarland805
    @robertgarland805 3 роки тому +1

    Outstanding Vocals.

  • @JohnGieschenJr
    @JohnGieschenJr 5 років тому +16

    Can’t think of another vid where Andrew AND Josh are playing guitar. They do just keep getting better and better

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 роки тому

      Kind of weird too in that John Duffey played mandolin on the Seldom Scene's version

  • @Kan-o-tex
    @Kan-o-tex 4 роки тому +1

    Nice job on a great song.
    ...but am I hearing "coal temples roared day and night"? vs. "coal tipples roared day and night."
    Coal Temples would be a great bluegrass/old time band name.

    • @fairsherrr
      @fairsherrr Рік тому

      A tipple is a structure used at a mine to load the extracted product (e.g., coal, ores) for transport, typically into railroad hopper cars.

  • @lawrencevandenberg7725
    @lawrencevandenberg7725 7 місяців тому

    Plain good. Let's have a deep crystal bowl of Mandolin Orange as a centerpiece, please!

  • @farnorthpicker56
    @farnorthpicker56 2 роки тому +1

    What a gorgeous rendition!

  • @johnalmond650
    @johnalmond650 5 років тому +3

    Mercy, mercy, so good!

  • @MarcSt-Jean
    @MarcSt-Jean 11 місяців тому

    To hear the guitar solo played on that old Gibson adds warmth and sweetness together with those pristine harmonies makes a near perfect rendition of this beautiful song.

  • @jeroengrobben7555
    @jeroengrobben7555 5 років тому +2

    Wow, just wow.

  • @andrewusher1033
    @andrewusher1033 3 роки тому

    It's weird to see Andrew play guitar whilst Josh is playing guitar cause I'm used mandolin Andrew haha

  • @steveheighton5971
    @steveheighton5971 Рік тому

    Such a wonderful band! I saw them in the Cumberland Caverns and it was an outstanding concert.

  • @mikebrowning9055
    @mikebrowning9055 3 роки тому

    so disappointed you didn't play this in Louisville. You were still great.

  • @thelonglife5772
    @thelonglife5772 11 місяців тому

    Tone all day … totally inspired to lock myself in the bathroom and play until 3 am

  • @friedhelmp.9217
    @friedhelmp.9217 2 роки тому

    For me it's the finest version of that song! Recorded with a great Mic.

  • @petrotmyrcz308
    @petrotmyrcz308 Рік тому

    Fantastic cover by some of my favorite performers. I will listen to this often as I can.

  • @patrickgroll2046
    @patrickgroll2046 2 роки тому

    Fabulous rendition. I feel it should be a bit faster though

  • @thelittlemoontravelers
    @thelittlemoontravelers 11 місяців тому

    well aint this lonesome. so good

  • @mynamismudd4883
    @mynamismudd4883 5 років тому +2

    That's such a great song. Would love to see them cover Billy Gray.

    • @mrpual49
      @mrpual49 3 роки тому +1

      One of my favorites of Norman's

    • @JailbirdJay
      @JailbirdJay Рік тому

      There is a Cover from billy gray by Andrew Marlin with one Of his Solo projects! Absolutely Perfect… ❤

    • @JailbirdJay
      @JailbirdJay Рік тому

      ua-cam.com/video/tIAhyXUTano/v-deo.html

  • @laserpkh
    @laserpkh 4 роки тому +1

    Wow, so nicely done.

  • @mikesolomon481
    @mikesolomon481 Рік тому

    A Wonderful cover of this classic !

  • @dougfulton5176
    @dougfulton5176 Рік тому

    I love this song, and it is well presented!

  • @dbszepesi
    @dbszepesi 5 років тому

    Big fan of the Seldom Scene. Beautiful version, thanks!

  • @richardwedlich8823
    @richardwedlich8823 11 місяців тому

    Just great. Thanks.

  • @thomassyverson7561
    @thomassyverson7561 3 роки тому

    Just fuckin awesome!

  • @ctb7894
    @ctb7894 Рік тому

    Great guitar work

  • @bellecabello3762
    @bellecabello3762 3 роки тому

    Just found this group/song tonight. I’m in looooove. 😍😍😍

    • @jacquesblaque7728
      @jacquesblaque7728 11 місяців тому

      Happens to lots of folks- brief encounter, and you're hooked. Like me.

  • @janereeves5627
    @janereeves5627 6 років тому

    Was he mad at poor Emily?

  • @lindseywalker6925
    @lindseywalker6925 Рік тому

    A song thats easy to butcher as it is to sing. This song merits respect. However, I'm iimaging blood on the floor at their feet.😢