"Jimmy Brown the Newsboy" played by Norman Blake

[cowgirl236]

I was just looking here on YouTube for someone who picks 'Jimmy Brown The NewsBoy out on the guitar. And found this. I just love the way this guy plays it and I like his singing also. I enjoyed it so much!

[afternoondliter]

So good.

[CupR24u]

Norman Black is one of best "ever" he can do what a lot of other enertainers cain't , He puts so much heart and soul into his singing , playing and song writing ,he is a genius at what he does.He and his wife make a magnificent duo.Love your way of doing it ,keep it up

[SerendipitousSojourn]

Reminiscent of when the Nashville sound was something worth listening to. Beautifully done. 110,417 views, 224 likes and 1 asshole. What the hell this is YouTube. A Proctologist would have a field day.

[rrcjaq]

My fav. song that Norman sings is "Waiting For The Boatman." Thanks to CBC's Stewart McLean for playing it some years back and thus introducing me to this fine artist.

[billwot]

@hotrodguitar327

Correct, its a 1934 D18

[southernstar9]

Norman, like Doc, is a real American treasure. Tremendous songwriter and player of many instruments. I've seen him many times in the past (Down Home in Johnson City, TN; McDibs in Black Mountain, NC; the infamous P.B Scotts in Blowing Rock,NC )...always a treat. I would love to see him get back out on the road to do a few shows. Haven't seen him since Merlefest a couple of years back.

[homingtien1]

Thats sunshine for my heart-tks Norman.

[sharpsound2011]

I've been listening to Norman since about 1974. I was about 16. I've seen him and Nancy live many times. At the Down Home in Johnson City, TN. In Chattanooga, Knoxville. I turned my old Air Force buddies on to Norman, with some weird looks as New Wave music was blaring out everywhere. Also Doc Watson, Doc and Norman are my two favorite people in the world I think. Why can't we find a president like Norman?

[billwot]

Pretty sure that guitar is a 1934 D18. Its currently owned by by Larry Nixon, of Nixon, Blevins and Gage, from Raleigh NC.

[southernstar9]

Is Nixon, Blevins, and Gage a law firm or a band?

[737boeing8]

1,007 more views till 100,000!

XD

[inky960]

That stuff is very, VERY difficult to play. Don't believe it - just give it a shot and then compare it back to Norman Blake. I'd even make a bet that fewer guitarists, who practice hard, learn to do this well than do "shredders" who practice just as hard, learn to "shred" well. I could be wrong, but I'd make the bet.

[usaruss]

I had the pleasure of seeing him live about 30 years ago, in Chapel Hill, NC.

[TonyJenRock1]

Its almost a lost style he has.... we gotta revive it. so sweet and poetic..

[MrNonoz]

What a sad song

[carollizc]

@MrNonoz When I was a little girl, it would always make me cry. Now, I'm in awe of Norman Blake's talent. He just makes it *look* so easy, doesn't he? I'm so grateful that we have YouTube now, to preserve these gems. Our grandchildren need to hear them, and maybe shed a tear or two, so that they can say to their grandchildren,

"When I was little, this song always made me cry."

[mitoguitarman]

This is about the 50th time I've played this video. It gets better and better!

[TruegrassBoy]

Very good video and terrific singing. It could only be better if Norman Blake were singing and playing, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo all at the same time! (and he probably could if he wanted to)!

[curbshoppin]

you ROCKMr. Norman Blake........ was just cruzin the tube looking at covers and came across this gem..........W0W

[Nobleone7777]

Me and my j45 do this timless piece at the nursing homes and they love it. I wish I could pick half as good as Norman. God Bless

[edisonphonographfan]

how could that one person not like this this is a drug u cant get away from its so good and norman is simple mezmerizing

[xxdavid15]

my dad and grandpa jizz them selves when they hear this song...lol

[pyrofella]

brilliant musician

[EEPIIFFAANNY]

I just rated this with a like. Whatever idiot it was that didn't like it could have gone the hell on back to bum f*** Egypt, and not said anything at all since they obviously didn't know what they were listening to. Norman Blake is one of the best flat top country guitar players that ever picked up a six string. It was a real pleasure to listen to this old classic, one of the first ones I learned as a boy.

[dbeater1]

@EEPIIFFAANNY ha ha ya know that 1 had to be a mistake...there is no one ever even seen a guitar could not like this beute.

[Astonyshing]

really good

[garythemessage]

As for the "singing" aspect, I guess some people completely miss the point. What you are witnessing here is not "pop" entertainment. This is the timeless re-enactment of the old time traditions. I grew up listening to this style of music, in the hills of North Arkansas. Norman Blake keeps it absolutely true to form, traditional, he respects the music and history of the pieces he performs. If his voice doesn't break your heart - it ain't for you. This IS NOT an acquired taste. It is heritage.

[zighetta]

@garythemessage i like that music so much and even if i'm not from that area, i crasp much about history music and i'd love to learn much more about that music, spirit......so i live this music as an appropriate heritage, the much i can feel.

i understand well carter family and old time songs... could you tell me some more of this? so send me some links, european might not find as well!

[carollizc]

@garythemessage Truly said. I get some grief from people (won't call 'em folks) who don't like this, nor the traditional British (English, Irish, Scots) that this tradition grew from, that I also love. They have no hearts for this song to break.

[dbpw34]

Absolutely beautiful! If I could pick half that well I wouldn't ask for more!

[bluegrassman87]

My dad used to sing me to sleep at night with this song. He passed away 5 years ago. This song really makes me miss him! Norman Blake was one of his favorites. Thank you for posting. I love to play this song, too!

[gigantecrunch]

Can't sing?!?!?! Not only is Norman Blake one of my favorite singers of all-time, I have NEVER met anyone who did not love his warm, simple, yet soulful singing.

[pozpa]

The guitar is very similar to actual HD-28VS, 12 frets, slotted headstock, 1 1/3 at nut...

[ve7kge]

Ditson Dreadnaught 333 by Martin 12 fret Guitar

[r810s]

I love everything this guy does. He's a genius, not only on the guitar but also on mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle. You name it he plays it.

And to say, as somebody did here, that he can't sing shit, is not only a lie, but also blasphemy.

[CupR24u]

@r810s 

[jkmurph13]

This is a perfect case of not being able to have everything i.e. Norm can play guitar, but cant sing for shit! Anyway, excellent guitaring!

[horsedooty]

I think this guitar is a D28 from the mid 1930's.

[panzalarga]

What model of Martin is that, with a slotted headstock?

[ve7kge]

@panzalarga Ditson Dreadnaught 333

by Martin  12 fret not sure of year

[bulbheadmyass]

Love the picking. This is one of the first songs I learned to flatpick, and I still love it decades later.

[sweatshirt77]

very nice i like this song a lot!!

[marcb71]

Beautifull song,

Does someone know on which of his albums it appears?

Thanks.

[skirbyhcc]

Fantastic! At first I thought someone was making a hand puppet at 2:22 until I realized it was the camera angle picking up the bass player's hand.

[Kaelth66]

Hahaha

[monizzle22]

HAAH! I thought it was Lambchop

[mitoguitarman]

I still love this version the best!

[182182TheBlink182182]

100% support, yugoslaviarock

i want to get the tabs

[hotcoolcarina125]

nice music...x]

[SummerPupLove]

wow that was awesome.

[quijanojosiah]

gooooooooooooddddd!!!!!!!!!

[yamamotomegane]

I like his performance and respect him.

[dp11issosweet]

right on. excellent comment.

[nissing15]

Great playing!!!

[fororfors]

nice music.

[pretourious]

One of the all time greatest acoustic players, singer and songwriters that has ever existed.

[joemocaco]

this makes me feel relaxed

[Yugoslaviarock]

It is a shame that such a great guitarist like Norman Blake has only 36 thousand wiews,he deserves at least 10 milions. In my opinion i would say that Norman Blake is the greatest acoustic guitar player in the world.

[plowhand247]

Ain't that the truth ! Tommy Emmanuel and Tony Rice are great in their own right but Norman is my favorite.

[ArroyoGuitars]

Thank goodness for Ma Carter, and yes, Norman Blake is just outstanding...if I could play 75% as good as he before I die, I'll be a very happy man...

[nailswood]

this is an old carter family song. Has anyone ever seen earl scruggs play this? He is a pretty good flat picker, especially on the old carter family songs.

[bigislander2]

This is beyond awesome. I keep coming back to it again and again. Everytime I do there's something new for me.

[bentoast99]

nice

[Bradledc]

He makes it look so easy, but he's hard to copy. I consider one of my flat picking heroes.

[bcbrownboy]

Love this version. Such clean, clear, lovely picking.

[harleyholgi]

this guy is awesome!!!! i´ve never seen such a perfect and easy flatpickin. there are many others, but he´s the best

[nelslund]

Any one know what model and year Martin Norman is playing?

[jimmythefish]

It's a 1933 Martin D-28S. It's worth about a bajillion dollars, if you could find another one. I don't think he has it anymore.

[fiffel456]

I suppose you Blake fans have heard Beppe Gambetta, the italian-american blugress virtuoso. Blake, Rice and Gambetta -the three kings!

[jocwalk]

I agree about Rice and Blake but I honestly don't know what the big deal is about Gambetta. I haven't heard anything of his yet that makes me go "Wow!" or "That's unique." I don't think most guitarists would put Gambetta in the same category as guys like Sutton, Kilby or Grier or quite a few others like John Moore, Steve Kaufman, Clay Jones, etc. in my opinion (although I know some excellent guitarists who say the same thing.) To each his own though.

[whosnext81]

I really liked this. I am a flat picker, but not so good. I have looked everywhere for this song, that I remenmber playing as a young man. Thanks so much for posting it! Please just ignore all the stupid comments. There are more horse's asses than horses in the world!

[JarHaid]

Now I have a new hero! Every bit as good as Mac Wiseman's voice and plays guitar brilliantly. Thanks for posting.

[DAVEY500MUSIC]

@JarHaid Norman Blake is and could be 1 of the best flat pickers ever

[jerryg65]

I believe the term "Guitar Master" is an understatement . By the way , who is this Bob Dylan that 95cooks is talking about ? Does he play this good ?

[varkyden]

Wow!! Those are some cool hippies! What a beautiful sound. Also excellent video and sound quality for what looks to be the 1970s judging by the hair. Can't believe I never before heard of Norman Blake. So glad I searched for "Newsboy" and found this!!! Thanks for posting this great video.

Arthur

[dreadnought45]

To 95cooks: Dylan listens to Norman Blake. By the way, can you like, speak, like, English, like, man?

Ken, Toronto

[alaingaudet]

love it!

[Benedetto1199]

Norman Blake has put out over 30 albums. He is a Living Legend in traditional American Music. If you have heard of John Hartford, June Carter, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, or even the Soggy Bottom Boys, you may have heard his music without realizing it.

[buxboyzane]

He has a Martin guitar named after him and I don't think luck has anything to do with that! He has picked with Johnny Cash, Ralph Stanley, Joan Baez, Allison Kraus, Robert Plant and Bob Dylan. I wonder, have you not heard of them either? Do you know what a grammy award is?

[mandogrizz]

The song was written to be played from a C position. He capoes to suit his voice. He could play it in any key, easily. Norman has sold millions and is absolutely a master guitarist. He can play highly technical material beautifully. I've met Larry Carlton and Norman Blake. Neither could beat the other in their respective genres. BTW, some "nerds" play in both styles, ie Tony Rice, John Carlini. Both friends of Blake. Now post your guitar performance, slugger. Can you play, o great judge?

[nate36bus]

LOL this is so dorky. What a nerd. LOL@Capo that many frets. Pathetic. I'd like to see him play a jazz tune in Bb. Good luck, slugger.

[mandogrizz]

Not that you deserve a response, but, here goes. It won't sound right played out of any other chord position. It was written that way. Norman capos it to suit his voice. The effect is beautiful, whether you have the brain cells to hear it or not. I've met Norman, I've also met Larry Carlton. They are both consummate pros. Many who play this style also play jazz- Rice, Carlini,etc. Post your superior jazz performance now. With You playing. Norman's sales are in the millions...slugger.

[BluegrassBlues]

Norman blake to me appeared to not be as good as everyone rants and raves him to be. Its when you sit down and try and duplicate his sound and learn his arrangements when you notice his god given talent. He is a master among amateurs, a musician among people who just play an instrument.

Not to sink to your level but before you call someones music "hysterical" please learn to spell the word , its annoying to say the least.

[sav1028]

The only thing that's pathetic is your blatant disregard for one of the best flatpickers on the planet. Take your jazz tune in Bb and shove it, jerk.

[95cooks]

Hey, do you like Dylan? Like do you think he's any good?

[Crackerjack20]

You worthless piece of shit, you would not know talent if it jumped up and slapped you. If you can play better than Norman, post it and let us here it.

[letebaguere]

dude, please just look him up on wikipedia... you clearly have access to the internet, there is no reason for you to be humiliating yourself with such ignorant statements. norman blake is universally considered a master guitarist, up there with the greatest of jazz guitarists. he is a living, breathing guitar legend, and this is coming from a guy who prefers jazz over bluegrass any day. and how are you contesting his album sales?? its all online...

[loomis4747]

wow

[buxboyzane]

We are very fortunate to have Norman, Nancy and James grace these great old tunes with such a wonderfull and true to the art style. Thanks for sharing!

[BluegrassBlues]

norman blake does it for me every song. he sings to me. my favorite guitarist period.

[brent3270]

thanks for posting. Love that flatpicking!

[gasshuffer]

awesome! thanks for posting this.

[bluespower]

superb ,thanx