American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his flatpicking, interpretations of Southern old-time melodies and influential solo albums dating from the early 1970s onward. Also known for session work with major artists.

Reviewed material notes: session work with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Johnny Cash; performed on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack; praised for overdub techniques and multi-instrumentalism; used a 1934 Martin D-28 on the Blackberry Blossom recording (as noted in reviews).

Four appreciative reviews highlight Norman Blake's mastery of old-time and folk guitar, his emotional songwriting and multi-instrumentalism. Critics emphasize iconic albums like Whiskey Before Breakfast and Back Home In Sulphur Springs and note his session work with major artists. The coverage stresses technique, atmosphere, and emotional impact.

For:acoustic guitar enthusiasts, fans of folk, old-time and Americana music

 I promised myself I would review all of Norman Blake's early albums, but "Whiskey Before Breakfast" seems like an insurmountable obstacle.

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 America gradually became aware of this phenomenal talent, who managed to faithfully reproduce on guitar melodies traditionally written for the violin (or rather, for the fiddle), interspersing them with original compositions so meticulously crafted in atmosphere and detail that it was necessary to refer to the liner notes to distinguish them from traditional pieces.

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 First-rate guitarist, unmatched in the rendition (both vocal and instrumental) of the old-time melodies of the Southern States (particularly Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama), a skilled multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, mandolin, dobro, and banjo are the other instruments he handles with ease), and a highly acclaimed songwriter, Norman Blake can boast a discography as rich as it is unknown, due to the objective distance of his entire repertoire from the tastes of the average Italian listener.

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