Customer Reviews

Back Home in Sulphur Springs

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With splended intrumental work, a perfectly-suited vocal style, and little unnecessary adornment, Norman Blake captures the heart of old-time folk music in the beautiful melodies of traditional North Georgia and further afield.

Already an accomplished session musician, Norman Blake launched his long and distinguished solo career with this treasure of an album. After nearly thirty years, Back Home in Sulphur Springs stands up beautifully to the test of time. Indeed, the record is arguably the equal of anything that Blake has put together since. Those new to Norman Blake would do well to start here; long-time fans who have yet to hear this album will be delighted to hear the record that started it all. A number of songs which have since become classics - Randall Collins, Crossing No. 9, Ginsing Sullivan, When The Fields Are White With Daisies - were first recorded here.

As is perhaps rare with an artist's first album, there is little that one would want to change about this gem. Back Home in Sulphur Springs is about as close to a perfect record as anything in my collection.

This recording, which I believe is Norman's first solo outing, establishes a pattern of taste, tone, and vitruousity which continues to this day with his more recent offerings. While this one doesn't hold together quite as well as Whiskey Before Breakfast, there are glimpses of greatness that you wouldn't want to miss.

I first heard Norman Blake on "Will the Circle be Unbroken" two album
set when it was first released. In all the music that was going on with
that album, the musicianship was head and shoulders above a flawless
effort of the rest of the musicians. I "had" to find work of this
picker, Norman Blake. I had to wait for a "few years", until Norman
Blake got around to putting out "Back Home in Sulfer Springs". It was
worth the wait. If you only purchase one Norman Blake disc, this is the
one. Of course if you buy this disc, I suggest you buy the disc, which
was recorded at the same general time and the same studio, Tut Taylor's
"Friar Tut". Because they both played on each other's disc, it is like
getting a double disc. No if and or buts about it, just the best flat
picker, with almost a skeletal style, no frills, no thrills, just good
ol' American music. In my days of doing sound and lights, many friends/
musicians tried to "pick" Norman Blake's style, no on was able to
replicate the runs, or the pickin' of this American treasure. I highly
recommend getting both "Back Home in Sulfer Springs, and Friar Tut"
and listen to it while having "Whiskey before Breakfast".

This easily ranks as one of the top 10 country-roots-flatpicking albums I've every heard. Could be top 5. You can listen to it over and over again, with new revelations coming with every hearing. "Down Home Summertime Blues" is a tour de force of country slide mastery.

This is one of my must-have travel CD's. It's higher-energy than some of the other albums (an observation, not a criticism). Personally, I think it's worth it just for the version of "Done Gone", but all the tracks are great.

With splended intrumental work, a perfectly-suited vocal style, and little unnecessary adornment, Norman Blake captures the heart of old-time folk music in the beautiful melodies of traditional North Georgia and further afield.
Already an accomplished session musician, Norman Blake launched his long and distinguished solo career with this treasure of an album. After nearly thirty years, Back Home in Sulphur Springs stands up beautifully to the test of time. Indeed, the record is arguably the equal of anything that Blake has put together since. Those new to Norman Blake would do well to start here; long-time fans who have yet to hear this album will be delighted to hear the record that started it all. A number of songs which have since become classics - Randall Collins, Crossing No. 9, Ginsing Sullivan, When The Fields Are White With Daisies - were first recorded here.

As is perhaps rare with an artist's first album, there is little that one would want to change about this gem. Back Home in Sulphur Springs is about as close to a perfect record as anything in my collection. Review by Rainbowcrow.

Norman Blake shows off his story-song writing ability. Any Blake fan must get this one.