Norman Blake is a national treasure. Beautiful music. Historical. Relates the zeitgeist of days gone by. REAL, genuine, visceral roots music. Music spawned from Life, not from corporate, formulaic, empty, profit driven nonsense.
Well said. There's just something about the way Norman plays, especially as he gets older that really appeals to me. A loose fluidity that I will be trying to achieve for the rest of my life.
What a way to start the day. So true. Such sweet, authentic music. As others hav noted, Norman is a national teasure. And so is Nancy, James, and others who have helped to keep alive the beautiful home-made music of the Southern Appalachians, indeed the whole country, but especially. In 1982 I recorded a 40-minute set Norman and Nancy and James did at Winfield; where I first heard the now-classic "Southern Railroad Blues", "Billy Gray", and "Ginseng Sullivan". I wore that tape out and built a sauna in the country while listening to it. Tears later got to meet Norman briefly at a concert they did in Weston, Mo., saying to him how much I liked his music, in an intermission when I caught his ear. He looked at me and my friend Rick Jones and said "Why, thank ya, boys!"
Absolutely brilliant! I've had the pleasure of seeing Norman and Nancy play live twice--in 1980 in St. Louis and 1984 in San Francisco. I'm so glad they're still going strong! No one else sounds quite like Norman Blake.
Always good advice. I started getting into this sort of stuff awhile back, and am having a blast with it. Any regrets I have are about the time I spent playing music I can't stand to listen to anymore. Live and learn, I guess.
snailspace it’s not all that bad. You gained a lot musically. The good in it is that you are simply learning a new style, but you already have the fundamentals down.
I was 20 and in the military, stationed near Denver, CO. I walked into the first real music store I'd ever been in. A Norman Blake record was playing over the sound system. I just stood stock still for several cuts. I'd never heard anything like it before. I got a couple of his records and played them till they were nearly worn out. Not much later, I bought a real good Gibson J-50 and some Ramblin' Jack Elliot records. I proceeded to learn to pick like these guys. I think it took me years to get 1/100th as good, but I was listening to as much of that type of music as I could find. That store was my hang out when off base, learning about all sorts of artists, musicians, and various instruments. I have to admit, I blame it all on Norman and Nancy Blake. I related this story to them the one and only time I ever saw them live in a small town in WA state. Norman just grinned and said he was sorry for contributing to the ruination of my life. I almost cried, but I laughed and said there were a million other ways for me to have done that. Boy, Howdy, ain't that the honest truth ! Yeah, old timers like all these folks are real treasures and they have given so much to all of us, in so many glorious ways, they can never know. I now live my senior years in my home state of Montana and play a bit of mandolin as well. Most recently I have been listening to the Blake's version of the Old Hollow Poplar.
Does anyone know the name of the tune that Norman Blake starts at 8:45, with Fletcher Bright doing the primary fiddle duties? I think it is the third one. Great tune.
In the universe where subtle pitch is a window to the soul. - It's kind of like asking in which universe are all these old fogeys fashion models? Probably nowhere, but they are still revered by those who understand them. - Not every one aspires to compete in the precision of 12 tone equally-tempered music. That's a wonderful style, but it can also be a straight jacket.
Just found this site...but I'll get to work on it. Problem is, being mostly instrumental, there's precious little to go on. Only one I caught on first listen--the tune playing at about 21:45 is an old Carter Family tune, (That Aggravating Beauty) LULA WALLS. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS--it's great to get Norman and Nancy in such an informal setting. And he doesn't play a lot of dobro...so it's a real treat. Many thanks.
Found another one--MY HOME's ACROSS THE BLUERIDGE MOUNTAINS was recorded by Joan Baez with Earl Scruggs as part of '"Earl Scruggs and Friends" PBS-TV special, circa mid 70s...but actual origins are uncertain. Also recorded as "...Across the SMOKEY MOUNTAINS", with credits to Clark/van Zandt.
Nice group of folks......missing Fletcher Bright as he was a gentleman and willing to share his love of music with the whole community.
Norman Blake is a national treasure. Beautiful music. Historical. Relates the zeitgeist of days gone by. REAL, genuine, visceral roots music. Music spawned from Life, not from corporate, formulaic, empty, profit driven nonsense.
gregory s Incredibly well put. My sentiments exactly.
Well said. There's just something about the way Norman plays, especially as he gets older that really appeals to me. A loose fluidity that I will be trying to achieve for the rest of my life.
I've been following The Blakes, Norman and Nancy, for years. They are indeed a National Treasure!
American music at it's finest. I'm watching this video at 4:30 a.m. What a way to start the day. Could be the start of a new song inspired by Norman.
What a way to start the day. So true. Such sweet, authentic music. As others hav noted, Norman is a national teasure. And so is Nancy, James, and others who have helped to keep alive the beautiful home-made music of the Southern Appalachians, indeed the whole country, but especially. In 1982 I recorded a 40-minute set Norman and Nancy and James did at Winfield; where I first heard the now-classic "Southern Railroad Blues", "Billy Gray", and "Ginseng Sullivan". I wore that tape out and built a sauna in the country while listening to it. Tears later got to meet Norman briefly at a concert they did in Weston, Mo., saying to him how much I liked his music, in an intermission when I caught his ear. He looked at me and my friend Rick Jones and said "Why, thank ya, boys!"
What a lovely tune, what a lovely group of people.
I was there that night aw well. This was the only time I've seen Norman and Nancy live. It was very special.
Absolutely brilliant! I've had the pleasure of seeing Norman and Nancy play live twice--in 1980 in St. Louis and 1984 in San Francisco. I'm so glad they're still going strong! No one else sounds quite like Norman Blake.
Nice to hear Nancy take a few bars in that first tune. She's a good cellist! Very nice group. Always enjoy listening to Norman. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy was a classically trained cellist when she met Norman.
i've had a part of that tune in my fiddle for ages, just pops up sometimes, Berkley Shanghai, love that album.
Wonderful.Happy to listen always.
I'll just listen to Norman Blake from now on
😅 Very Funny. Had that thought many a time? 🎸🎶🥰
Beautiful. especially the violin part.
RIGHTEOUS
AMEN
🙏
Grandioso Norman! Come sempre...
Wow, Norman playing a "Century of Progress" Gibson!
Really nice - thank you
LOVE THIS. 🥰.
Still kicking myself for my rockstar-wannabe years, wasting time with that . . . when I could have been playing music like this from the beginning.
Never too late to start!
Always good advice. I started getting into this sort of stuff awhile back, and am having a blast with it. Any regrets I have are about the time I spent playing music I can't stand to listen to anymore. Live and learn, I guess.
snailspace it’s not all that bad. You gained a lot musically. The good in it is that you are simply learning a new style, but you already have the fundamentals down.
I was 20 and in the military, stationed near Denver, CO. I walked into the first real music store I'd ever been in. A Norman Blake record was playing over the sound system. I just stood stock still for several cuts. I'd never heard anything like it before. I got a couple of his records and played them till they were nearly worn out. Not much later, I bought a real good Gibson J-50 and some Ramblin' Jack Elliot records. I proceeded to learn to pick like these guys. I think it took me years to get 1/100th as good, but I was listening to as much of that type of music as I could find. That store was my hang out when off base, learning about all sorts of artists, musicians, and various instruments. I have to admit, I blame it all on Norman and Nancy Blake. I related this story to them the one and only time I ever saw them live in a small town in WA state. Norman just grinned and said he was sorry for contributing to the ruination of my life. I almost cried, but I laughed and said there were a million other ways for me to have done that. Boy, Howdy, ain't that the honest truth ! Yeah, old timers like all these folks are real treasures and they have given so much to all of us, in so many glorious ways, they can never know. I now live my senior years in my home state of Montana and play a bit of mandolin as well. Most recently I have been listening to the Blake's version of the Old Hollow Poplar.
Dude did he pull a Raymond Kane song in there?
Thanks, this is wonderful.
1st tune is "Heart of the Heartland". Look up Fletcher Bright. Touching tune.
dinarick1 Fletcher bright
i'm running into a lot of versions of this tune, I think it's written by Peter Ostroushko
It is
@@LanceClark ua-cam.com/video/YgJn2F6lMcM/v-deo.html
Beautiful! The one at 12:20 is High Dad in the Morning.
Really enjoyable.
This is really good.
(I'm not as familiar with the other four, but they're amazing as well! :-)
the tune at 12:20, what is it called? it's the best!
I think the tune starting at 4:35 is Monroe's Farewell to Long Hollow. Anyone have a different opinion?
Correct. James Bryan did it on his album Lookout Blues.
I need names for these tunes. Love 'em.
first one is "heart of the heartland" ua-cam.com/video/YgJn2F6lMcM/v-deo.html
Of course the Banjo player doesn't get a light.... Ha! Good lord!. :)
Does anyone know the name of the tune that Norman Blake starts at 8:45, with Fletcher Bright doing the primary fiddle duties? I think it is the third one. Great tune.
It´s "Blake´s March" but in another key as on Original Underground Music.
@@eightstringmarkus First time I've heard Norman play it on guitar, he always did it as a mandolin number.
@@eightstringmarkus He's doing it in D, which may be the best key for the fiddles.
Those fiddles at the beginning. Oh dear.In what universe are those notes in tune?
In the universe where subtle pitch is a window to the soul. - It's kind of like asking in which universe are all these old fogeys fashion models? Probably nowhere, but they are still revered by those who understand them. - Not every one aspires to compete in the precision of 12 tone equally-tempered music. That's a wonderful style, but it can also be a straight jacket.
Anyone know the name of the first tune? Beautiful!
Wish I knew bro! Anyone?
We need a Blake scholar to do a Track List for this concert. If you're sure of a tune title add it in a reply here. Who wants to step up?
Just found this site...but I'll get to work on it. Problem is, being mostly instrumental, there's precious little to go on. Only one I caught on first listen--the tune playing at about 21:45 is an old Carter Family tune, (That Aggravating Beauty) LULA WALLS. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS--it's great to get Norman and Nancy in such an informal setting. And he doesn't play a lot of dobro...so it's a real treat. Many thanks.
Found another one--MY HOME's ACROSS THE BLUERIDGE MOUNTAINS was recorded by Joan Baez with Earl Scruggs as part of '"Earl Scruggs and Friends" PBS-TV special, circa mid 70s...but actual origins are uncertain. Also recorded as "...Across the SMOKEY MOUNTAINS", with credits to Clark/van Zandt.
The first tune, is a waltz called "Heart of the Heartland" by Peter Ostroushko
Wow
Rip Thomas Jackson
This trio needed your banjo
The first tune is lovely. Does anyone know it's name?
Heart Of The Heartland (Peter Ostroushko)
@@haraldotschik7426 RIP Peter.
What wood is that fretboard made of, being of such pale colour!
Mother of Toilet Seat is the colloquial term.
Anyone know the name of the 2nd tune?
Did you ever find out the name of the second tune?
Monroe's Farewell to Long Hollow
What kind of guitar is Norman playing?
What Model do you think it is?