Flower from the Fields of Alabama

Amazon.com
Norman Blake is probably best known as a bluegrass guitar picker, but the music on Flower from the Fields of Alabama shows he is really a master of the early ballads, blues, and Appalachian fiddle tunes that Bill Monroe combined to create the high lonesome sound. On instrumentals like the fiddle tune "Texas Gales" and "Bonaparte's Grand March," which despite its bombastic title is played as a delicate mandolin solo, Blake demonstrates his instrumental virtuosity by emphasizing taste, tone, and phrasing over rapid-fire picking. Blake is a singer in the "ragged but right" tradition, and his dry delivery is well suited to a wide range of material from the slightly lewd "Salty Dog" to the wistful "Chasin' Rainbows" and the maudlin pieties of "The Dying Gambler's Last Words." The music on Flower from the Fields of Alabama doesn't push the envelope, but that's exactly why it's so charming. You get the feeling that Norman Blake released this music on CD only because he couldn't find a record company to put it out on a 78-rpm record. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

Salty Dog
Bonaparte's Grand March
The Slopes Of Beech Mountain
Sitting On Top Of The World
Radio Joe
Chasin' Rainbows
Flower From The Fields Of Alabama
Texas Gales
All Go Hungry Hash House
So Tired
The Gambler's Dying Words
Little Bunch Of Roses
Eastbound Freight Train
The Burial Of Wild Bill
T.A.G. Railroad Rag
If We Never Meet Again (This Side Of Heaven)

Amazon.com

Norman Blake is probably best known as a bluegrass guitar picker, but the music on Flower from the Fields of Alabama shows he is really a master of the early ballads, blues, and Appalachian fiddle tunes that Bill Monroe combined to create the high lonesome sound. On instrumentals like the fiddle tune "Texas Gales" and "Bonaparte's Grand March," which despite its bombastic title is played as a delicate mandolin solo, Blake demonstrates his instrumental virtuosity by emphasizing taste, tone, and phrasing over rapid-fire picking. Blake is a singer in the "ragged but right" tradition, and his dry delivery is well suited to a wide range of material from the slightly lewd "Salty Dog" to the wistful "Chasin' Rainbows" and the maudlin pieties of "The Dying Gambler's Last Words." The music on Flower from the Fields of Alabama doesn't push the envelope, but that's exactly why it's so charming. You get the feeling that Norman Blake released this music on CD only because he couldn't find a record company to put it out on a 78-rpm record. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Blake in a better humor.......2001-08-24

In a general way of speaking, Norman Blake CDs are predictable: good songs, exceptional picking, spare, tasteful. Closer listening, though, reveals a unique personality in each. His previous Shanachie release, Far Away, Down on a Georgia Farm, was sometimes unsettlingly personal, the clear product of hard times in Blake's life. Though there were moments of humor, the despairing (and brilliant) title song and the acid (and equally moving) "Whiskey Deaf and Whiskey Blind," both Blake originals, set the tone. Flower from the Fields of Alabama, perhaps reflecting happier times, is a good deal more cheerful. There's even an uncharacteristically chirpy vintage pop tune, "Chasin' Rainbows," to underscore the fact. Nearly everything else is more or less traditional. Especially affecting is the seldom-covered "The Burial of Wild Bill," based on a 19th-Century verse by the U.S. Army's "poet scout" Capt. Jack Crawford and a 1929 record by Frank Jenkins' Pilot Mountaineers. The mandolin-driven "Bonaparte's Grand March" is another standout, a genuinely lovely piece which, though it's long, this listener never quite wants to end. On the other side, the original songs aren't among Blake's most memorable. "Radio Joe," in fact, is close to uninspired, and "The Slopes of Beech Mountain" demonstrates little more than Blake's gift for making songs that sound as if composer credit ought to go to A. P. Carter. Still, small gripes aside, this is a fine and eminently listenable CD, from a great folk artist and guitarist whose recordings never wear out their welcome.

It's not wierd jazz, but it's a little different for Norman.......2001-07-08

As always, this offering from Norman is well crafted and supremely tasteful. My ears differ from the editorial reviewer in that, to me, it seems that Norman moves into territory rarely explored by this consummate old-time/country musician. "Sitting on Top of the World", for instance, finds him playing acoustic blues (like, say, Eric Clapton). The traditional songs seem more varied and even jazzy at times ("Chasin' Rainbows", "So Tired"). The original songs are up to Norman standards, and the recording as a whole is considerably brighter emotionally than Norman's last offering - not so much lost love as the last CD (maybe because Norman and Nancy are rumored to be back together?).

Guitar / mandolin junkies should appreciate the listing of instruments played on the recording, which includes a 1934 Martin 00-40-H, a 1929 Gibson Nick Lucas Special, a 1925 Gibson L-4, a 1938 Gibson F-4 mandolin and a 1929 F-2. There's even a photo (with headstock close-up) of a 1911 F-4, which may induce serious pangs of covetousness among mandolin players.

This recording should satisfy fans of old-time, traditional country, and acoustic music.

Another masterpiece from Norman Blake.......2001-06-17

I heard about this release from no less than Mr. Blake himself at a concert back in March, and I got the feeling at that time that he was really happy with this CD. After listening to it for the last several days I must say that he has every right to be pleased. It is kind of "laid back", nothing too fancy, but it is "right" from start to finish. It has a very different feel than any of his other records. There are some really wonderful mandolin pieces here. "Sitting On Top Of The World" is done in a kind of slow bluesy style, and it and "Chasin' Rainbows" are my favorite cuts on the CD, however there is just no material here that is less than first rate, and the performance is masterful from start to finish. If you like old time country music (or REAL Country music if you will), you must hear this CD. He is accompanied on 9 tracks by Bob Chuckrow, a very talented musician from Chattanooga; Bob does a great job also. The other cuts are just Norman singing and playing, as only he can do. As I write this I am listening to "So Tired", maybe it is my favorite. Just get the CD and listen, you will not be disappointed.

Music Album:

Music Album