Day By Day
Smithsonian Folkways, 2021
8/10
The veteran multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Norman Blake returns with another batch of his diverse and inimitable folk sounds, as he offers single take recordings of original and traditional tunes.
“When The Roses Bloom” opens the listen with warm acoustic guitar and flowing melody as Blake’s comforting pipes guide the timeless folk climate, and “Just Tell Them That You Saw Me” follows with vivid storytelling alongside a rugged yet tuneful demeanor.
In the middle, the playful banjo of “Old Joe’s March” emits a cozy bluegrass spirit, while “Montcalm And Wolfe” offers a poetic and country influenced landscape. “Three Leaves Of Shamrock”, the album’s best, then showcases intricate guitar playing as Blake’s raw singing is quite gripping.
Near to the end, “The Dying Cowboy” embraces strings in the graceful and eloquent delivery, and “My Home’s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains” exits the listen with much beauty amid the folk and country sounds.
A captivating listen that spans solo guitar and five string banjo, Blake has been a consistent figure in the American roots music since the ‘60s. Now in his 80’s, his luminous song craft doesn’t show any hints of waning, as evidenced by this biblically focused and well thought out effort.
Travels well with: JP Harris’ Dreadful Wind & Rain- Don’t You Marry No Railroad Man; Joe Troop- Borrowed Time