The Fields of November
Norman Blake · 1974
39 min · 13 tracks · country music
Gentle acoustic melodies intertwine with vivid storytelling, evoking the warmth and nostalgia of rural American life.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Last Train From Poor Valley — This track encapsulates the album's spirit with its haunting melody and evocative lyrics about departure and longing, showcasing Blake's storytelling prowess.
-
→
Green Leaf Fancy — As the opening track, it sets a reflective tone with its delicate instrumentation and lyrical imagery that celebrates nature's beauty.
-
→
The Fields of November — The title track serves as a poignant conclusion, weaving personal reflection with historical context, embodying the album's overarching themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's storytelling and acoustic arrangements create a strong sense of place and time, marking it as a notable entry in the folk revival.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of fingerpicked acoustic guitar, with melodies that often revolve around simple chord progressions.
- Each track typically includes storytelling lyrics that evoke specific Southern imagery and themes, creating a narrative flow.
- Several songs incorporate harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional resonance of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
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
- gentle storytelling for reflection
- short tracks for casual listening
- nostalgic warmth of rural life
- easygoing melodies for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy performance
- prefer longer, complex compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1974, The Fields of November marked Norman Blake's debut solo album after establishing himself as a sought-after session guitarist and member of various folk ensembles. This album showcased his distinct blend of traditional country and folk influences, setting the stage for his subsequent solo career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Townes Van Zandt· Guy Clark
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Green Leaf Fancy 1:54
- 2 Last Train From Poor Valley 3:42
- 3 White Oak Swamp 2:16
- 4 Ruins of Richmond 1:59
- 5 Graycoat Soldiers 3:13
- 6 Caperton Ferry 2:16
- 7 Southern Railroad Blues 3:15
- 8 Lord Won’t You Help Me 2:50
- 9 Krazy Kurtis 1:26
- 10 Coming Down From Rising Fawn 3:34
- 11 Uncle 4:34
- 12 The Old Brown Case 3:57
- 13 The Fields of November 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.