NORMAN BLAKE
Old Ties (Rounder)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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You've heard Norman's work. Maybe on a Johnny Cash record, or Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline, or the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will The Circle Be Unbroken, or most probably on the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack. That's Norman, guitar plucker to the stars. He's also recorded a few records himself. Well over a dozen in fact. Some choice bits from the years are collected right here as part of the excellent Rounder heritage series. Housed in a swank cardboard fold out sleeve, with a slip out booklet, Old Ties gives up seventy minutes of delightful folk picking and the occasional warm vocal. Blake is no fast fingered virtuoso, instead his gift is of feel and presentation. Reminiscent of Dave Bromberg, Blake makes warm music, a different kind of easy listening if you will. And I suspect you will.

© 2002 - John Sekerka