Whiskey Before Breakfast

 (16 customer reviews)

For many of us, Norman Blake is the consummate old-time musician. Sure, Doc Watson gets more publicity, and Tony Rice is smooth and powerful, but no artist comes closer to the tone and character of old-time music than Norman. This recording has been on my 'frequent play' list for over four years, and I'm not shelving it any time soon. For you intermediate to advanced flatpickers, this is like the Jane Fonda Workout - I've never met a flatpicker who hadn't tried to keep up with Norman while listening to this record. Fingerpickers can also delight - tasteful versions of "The Ash Grove" and "The Minstrel Boy to War Has Gone" are here as well. 5 stars really doesn't do this one justice.

Acoustic guitar whiz Norman Blake started off as a bluegrass prodigy in the late 1950s, and flatpicked his way across numerous albums in the 1960s and '70s, particularly as a session guitarist on albums by Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, and as frequent collaborator in John Hartford's various bands. This is one of his best-known solo records from the 'Seventies, a typically understated, flawless set of stripped-down, nostalgic old-timey acoustic numbers, with Blake playing solo and accompanied by a sympathetic secod guitar. There are plenty of Vaudeville and Southern-themed songs on here, including ditties such as "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane," "Arkansas Traveler" and "Old Gray Mare," music that the entertainment industry -- in all its areas -- had long since turned its back on. Blake breathes life back into these old standards, taking each song at his leisure while crooning in his thin, smooth old-mannish voice. For fans of great music, simply and elegantly performed,...Read more

i don't actually own this album on cd; yet. i have the album, that i got unknowingly when i found my parents record collection in our basement a few years ago. well i finally got a turntable; today, listened to the album 2 times all the way through, and i was spellbound.i play guitar, and when even a non-musician hears the musicianship on this album, they should be spellbound. Norman plays with this intense fortitude; as is shown on tracks such as:
'sleepy eyed joe/indian creek' and 'church st. blues'. norman blake has to be one of the most underrated guitarists in all of music. i also love the sound of this album. it is recorded in a way that an independent album would be. there are no instruments except norman voice and his guitar(and this guitarist named charled collins). the album also has that wholesome feel; that you could just tap your feet, or sing along to it. i would recommend this album for people who love downhome music, and traditional music. and also to...Read more