The Morning Glory Ramblers

Amazon.com
The laconic singer-guitarist Norman Blake has recorded with Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and more recently has had songs featured in film soundtracks like Oh Brother Where Art Thou. On projects both high- and low-profile, Blake has spent a career reveling in the antediluvian strains of rural, pre-World War II Americana. Here, Blake and his wife and longtime collaborator Nancy (vocals and cello) serve up 17 songs that come from the repertoires of the Carter Family, the Blue Sky Boys, Uncle Dave Macon, and more obscure country artists of the prewar era. Once again, the Blakes show their uncanny penchant for reviving dusty musical relics and making them sparkle all over again. --Bob Allen

Tracks:

The Sunny Side of Life
Dark & Stormy Weather
Precious Memories
The Little Log Hut in the Lane
All the Good Times are Over
We are Climbing
Going Down the Valley
I Loved You Better Than You Knew
When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland
I Aitn't Got Time
The Wayworn Traveler
Rise When the Rooster Crows
Short Life of Trouble
Elijah's God
Fame Apart from God's Approval
Dry Bones
Men with Broken Hearts

Product Description

1. The Sunny Side of Life
2. Dark and Stormy Weather
3. Precious Memories (Was a Song I used to Hear)
4. Little Log Hut in the Lane
5. All the Good Times Are Over
6. We Are Climbing
7. Going Down the Valley
8. I Loved You Better Than You Knew
9. When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland
10. I Ain't Got Time
11. The Wayworn Traveler
12. Rise When the Rooster Crows
13. Short Life of Trouble
14. Elijah's God
15. Fame Apart from God's Approval (subtitled: Sweeping Through the Gate)
16. Dry Bones
17. Men With Broken Hearts

Format: CD

Amazon.com

The laconic singer-guitarist Norman Blake has recorded with Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and more recently has had songs featured in film soundtracks like Oh Brother Where Art Thou. On projects both high- and low-profile, Blake has spent a career reveling in the antediluvian strains of rural, pre-World War II Americana. Here, Blake and his wife and longtime collaborator Nancy (vocals and cello) serve up 17 songs that come from the repertoires of the Carter Family, the Blue Sky Boys, Uncle Dave Macon, and more obscure country artists of the prewar era. Once again, the Blakes show their uncanny penchant for reviving dusty musical relics and making them sparkle all over again. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews:

a great musical pair.......2004-09-19

You must know that I am an ardent fan of Nancy and Norman Blake. I own all of their cd's and have seen them in concert several times. Morning Glory Ramblers continues their long string of excellent music together. Nancy and Norman are blessed with voices that blend together perfectly. These voices combined with their ability to play a variety of instruments result in this excellent cd that will be difficult to remove from your player. I am not a musician, but this album, Morning Glory Ramblers, is a favorite of mine. I'll wager that if you buy this album by Norman and Nancy, it will not be your last. If Norman and Nancy read this, I hope on a future cd Nancy will have the lead vocal on a song or two. Norman, she has a wonderful voice, too.

Old-Timey Goodness.......2004-08-18

Other lesser know releases include: "Be Ready Boys" w/ Rich O'Brien, "High Lonesome Cowboy" - Don Edwards, Peter Rowan, and Tony Rice, "Saddle Songs 2" The Last of the Troubadours - Don Edwards. Western Jubilee/Dualtone

17 gems of old-timey country, gospel and bluegrass.......2004-05-30

The Blakes' resumes, especially Norman's, are truly astounding. Having begun his career as a string player (mandolin, guitar, dobro, etc.) in the mid-50s, he became a pivotal sideman and featured player for Johnny and June Carter Cash, Bob Dylan (during his "Nashville Skyline" sessions), Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, John Hartford, and many others. In addition, the couple have recorded numerous albums, solo, duet, and with partners like Tony Rice, for Rounder, Shanachie and other fine labels. This, the couple's first duet album in 8 years, continues their lifelong essay of classic country-folk Americana, both old and new.

The Blake's strum and pick their dual acoustics as they sing solo and in harmony from the catalogs of the Blue Sky Boys, Carter Family, and Luke the Drifter, as well as more recent tunes from Laurie Lewis and Jerry Faires. They unite several times for sacred songs common to many hymnals, yet surprisingly scarce in anyone else's active repertoire. Much like A.P. Carter, the Blake's are collectors of songs, and, ultimately, history. Their performances are lively and loving, restoring the vitality to these decades- (sometimes century-) old tunes.

Morning Glory Sleepers.......2004-05-25

Being a fan of Norman Blake I was very disappointed as I listened to this record. It starts off mediocre and stays there. Although the record has a few good moments and some top shelf picking, for the most part, the set lacks the inspiration and spontaneity of some of Norman and Nancy's other work. It plays like the songs were being dialed in by two people who grew bored of them long ago. Norman and Nancy can do much better than this. Listening to "Morning Glory Ramblers", it's hard to believe that this is the same guy who released "Whiskey Before Breakfast" and "Back Home In Sulphur Springs" let alone the two stellar records he did with Tony Rice. If you're looking to dig into some Norman Blake, don't start here. Come to think of it...don't end here either.

Music Album:

Music Album