Norman Blake and Tony Rice 2
Norman Blake · 1990
42 min · 13 tracks · country music
An intricate tapestry of bluegrass harmonies and acoustic virtuosity woven by two masters of the genre.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blackberry Blossom — This track exemplifies the album's blend of traditional melodies with intricate picking, showcasing both artists' technical prowess and interpretative skills.
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The Two Soldiers — A poignant narrative piece, this song highlights Blake's storytelling ability combined with Rice's emotive guitar playing, creating a haunting atmosphere.
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Lincoln's Funeral Train (The Sad Journey to Springfield) — This track stands out for its historical context and somber melody, illustrating how music can reflect on significant cultural moments through a personal lens.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong musicianship and composition but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate guitar interplay, with both artists frequently trading lead lines and harmonizing on melodies.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional bluegrass structures, such as alternating between verses and instrumental breaks.
- The tempo varies significantly across the tracks, with some maintaining a brisk pace while others slow down for reflective moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate acoustic duets for reflection
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- nostalgic tales of simpler times
- gentle melodies for afternoon relaxation
- inviting harmonies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy sounds
- prefer long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1990, Norman Blake had already established himself as a key figure in the American acoustic music scene, particularly known for his work with artists like Johnny Cash. This album, a collaboration with Tony Rice, followed their earlier self-titled record and showcased their deep musical rapport while reflecting the evolving trends in bluegrass and folk.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Townes Van Zandt· Guy Clark
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It's Raining Here This Morning 3:37
- 2 Lost Indian 3:07
- 3 Georgie 2:48
- 4 Father's Hall 2:18
- 5 The Two Soldiers 4:34
- 6 Blackberry Blossom 3:14
- 7 Eight More Miles to Louisville 2:46
- 8 Lincoln's Funeral Train (The Sad Journey to Springfield) 4:14
- 9 Molly Bloom 2:38
- 10 D-18 Song (Thank You Mr. Martin) 3:58
- 11 Back in Yonder's World 3:53
- 12 Bright Days 2:13
- 13 Salt Creek 3:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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