Thanks for an interesting comment. I still remember the words 'Witmark-Ascap' as publishing on the record. Did Gordon Lightfoot object to being covered on the song?
I would have like to have heard Marty sing 'Steel Rail Blues', 'Early Morning Rain' or some other Lightfoot songs. It didn't make much of a splash in the Pop charts, but thethere was a hell of a lot of chart competition back then.
I gave this song to Marty as song plugger from M. Witmark & Sons. Gave him exclusivity and he had a #1 Country hit with this song, A Gordon lightfoot song. Great ! I also was the engineer on al the Bob Dylan Mono recordings. At Warner Bros music i worked with all the best folk artists of the era. Bob Dylan ,Peter Paul & Mary, Gordon lightfoot, Richie Havens, Richard Farina, Phil Ochs & more.
I love the song and the way Marty performs it.I have always heard that Jack Pruett was the guitarist on the song.He was Jeanne Pruetts hubby.Can anyone verify it?
Mr Robbins gives a "springy", lilting version here. As he so often does, he "sails" through it. Ms. Connie Smith's version is more dramatic but equally attractive when she was acompanied, I think, by Bob Seymour, the virtuoso steel guitarist from Nashville, who toured with her. I should very much liked to have heard what ace steeler Bill Johnson could have done with this one if the arrangement had beeen different, but I have a fond affection for this one in particular.
marty robbins was an incredible entertainer.fine,fine voice,great writer and could really relate to an audience.saw him in the very early 80s and he was great.never saw a country performer like him.quite simply the best!
Gordon Lightfoot writing the song explains why they play this song on Canadian radio. It meets the CanCon requirements from the writer. You hear this more than El Paso on Canadian stations, not that that makes sense.
bmarvil76: I do agree that Marty's version is much better than Gordon Lightfoot's. Have you listened to Connie Smith's version? I think it's to die for! Please give it a listen.
I love Gordon's version as much as Marty's. I just wish Marty had done some more Lightfoot songs like 'Early Morning Rain', 'Steel Rail Blues', 'Did She Mention My Name' and a host of others. Two great artists in my opinion.
I have 4 versions of 'Ribbon of Darkness' Ray. Marty's, Gordon's, Connie Smith's and an instrumental by ace Nashville guitarist Grady Martin which I like very much as well.
Lightfoot has written so many great songs. I love to hear the various covers for each of them. The beauty of Gord's music is listening to how other artists interpret it. I particularly love the guitar work on Gordon's original version.
I like Connie Smith's version of 'Ribbon Of Darkness' very much CptSato. Gordon Lightfoot's original version is great as well. I also have a great instrumental version by Grady Martin (the guitarist on many Nashville hits) which I may post on youtube.
thank you very much for posting this. This brings back tons of memories for me. I always liked Marty's version of this song better than Gordon's, even though Gordon wrote and recorded it back in the mid 1960s.
"Ribbon of Darkness", One of the song which I love most. Your posting Marty's song who is after a long time. I receives the posting and it thinks of it, being extremely glad.
Probably, are supposing the problem of the copyright. As you know this song is also covered by Connie Smith. I know Marty and Connie is same with recording studio but not found duet song.
Thanks for an interesting comment. I still remember the words 'Witmark-Ascap' as publishing on the record. Did Gordon Lightfoot object to being covered on the song?
I would have like to have heard Marty sing 'Steel Rail Blues', 'Early Morning Rain' or some other Lightfoot songs. It didn't make much of a splash in the Pop charts, but thethere was a hell of a lot of chart competition back then.
tarquin45 6 months ago
I gave this song to Marty as song plugger from M. Witmark & Sons. Gave him exclusivity and he had a #1 Country hit with this song, A Gordon lightfoot song. Great ! I also was the engineer on al the Bob Dylan Mono recordings. At Warner Bros music i worked with all the best folk artists of the era. Bob Dylan ,Peter Paul & Mary, Gordon lightfoot, Richie Havens, Richard Farina, Phil Ochs & more.
jetboyt 6 months ago
Thanks so much for posting Marty is gone but his music lives on!
mammie64 8 months ago
Both versions are great. I just prefer Marty's version a little bit more. I love his voice
hxo20292 1 year ago
truyly a beautiful and expressive voice...equivalent to Fred Astaire dancing...in the sense that he makes it look/sound so easy !
miltsar 1 year ago
I love the song and the way Marty performs it.I have always heard that Jack Pruett was the guitarist on the song.He was Jeanne Pruetts hubby.Can anyone verify it?
Thanks
calmat78
calmat78 1 year ago
Never made the Billboard 100? Go figure.
1011mn 1 year ago
Marty had such a mellow voice. Unforgettable. Good post.
indyvic 1 year ago
Comment removed
steelguitartim 1 year ago
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Mr Robbins gives a "springy", lilting version here. As he so often does, he "sails" through it. Ms. Connie Smith's version is more dramatic but equally attractive when she was acompanied, I think, by Bob Seymour, the virtuoso steel guitarist from Nashville, who toured with her. I should very much liked to have heard what ace steeler Bill Johnson could have done with this one if the arrangement had beeen different, but I have a fond affection for this one in particular.
Tim.
steelguitartim 1 year ago
Comment removed
steelguitartim 1 year ago
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steelguitartim 1 year ago
Fantastic version by Marty here. His is equally impressive as Gord's original, simply a different take on a truly great song.
badnewsBH 1 year ago
Marty Robbins is one of the greatest performers of all time. God Bless you Marty.
lawrencepvdc 2 years ago
Good version & I like his vocals but seems to be lacking the emotion of the Lightfoot version. Maybe to polished?
Elavats 2 years ago
I just realized how sparse the arrangement is - acoustic guitar and a bass drum.
His voice was so powerful, it didn't need much accompaniment.
TheCoffeeCreature 2 years ago
I like his version the best. It's a bit too fast in tempo but I love his voice.
grainofsandfan 2 years ago
Marty is a great singer , but I dont think his version has the feeling or subtlety of Gord's original, sorry.
donquixote2u 2 years ago
marty robbins was an incredible entertainer.fine,fine voice,great writer and could really relate to an audience.saw him in the very early 80s and he was great.never saw a country performer like him.quite simply the best!
sampson1959 2 years ago
Gordon Lightfoot writing the song explains why they play this song on Canadian radio. It meets the CanCon requirements from the writer. You hear this more than El Paso on Canadian stations, not that that makes sense.
FingerboardCorners 2 years ago
bmarvil76: I do agree that Marty's version is much better than Gordon Lightfoot's. Have you listened to Connie Smith's version? I think it's to die for! Please give it a listen.
konawaruk 2 years ago
My favorite song by Marty.
thehouseofbrackins 2 years ago
When I think of Marty Robbins I think of this song.
scrateshooter 2 years ago
I love Gordon's version as much as Marty's. I just wish Marty had done some more Lightfoot songs like 'Early Morning Rain', 'Steel Rail Blues', 'Did She Mention My Name' and a host of others. Two great artists in my opinion.
tarquin45 3 years ago
Marty sang this better than Gordy. Anyone agree?
bmarvi76 3 years ago 14
Yes, I do!
pafrajan 2 years ago
Yes! GL is a great singer/songwriter but I think Marty mastered it.
vertical2x4 2 years ago 2
@bmarvi76 I Agree
rockrollincountry 1 year ago
@bmarvi76 sorry, but I dont. Gordons original composer's interpretation has more feeling, imho, and i am a fan of both artists
donquixote2u 1 week ago
Very Good.
econoni 3 years ago 2
Great.
lunigal 3 years ago 2
A classic!
zaaritha 3 years ago
this is one of my favourite marty songs. his voice is fantastic on this..as it always is.
faustus999 3 years ago 4
I have 4 versions of 'Ribbon of Darkness' Ray. Marty's, Gordon's, Connie Smith's and an instrumental by ace Nashville guitarist Grady Martin which I like very much as well.
tarquin45 3 years ago
More than likely, it's Grady on guitar on this recording.
bruiser 3 years ago
Lets have a listen to the instrumental by Grady Martin shall we.
chrshammer 2 years ago
Lightfoot has written so many great songs. I love to hear the various covers for each of them. The beauty of Gord's music is listening to how other artists interpret it. I particularly love the guitar work on Gordon's original version.
Nice posting!
bobbyk57 3 years ago
I like Connie Smith's version of 'Ribbon Of Darkness' very much CptSato. Gordon Lightfoot's original version is great as well. I also have a great instrumental version by Grady Martin (the guitarist on many Nashville hits) which I may post on youtube.
tarquin45 3 years ago
thank you very much for posting this. This brings back tons of memories for me. I always liked Marty's version of this song better than Gordon's, even though Gordon wrote and recorded it back in the mid 1960s.
ray6200 3 years ago
"Ribbon of Darkness", One of the song which I love most. Your posting Marty's song who is after a long time. I receives the posting and it thinks of it, being extremely glad.
Probably, are supposing the problem of the copyright. As you know this song is also covered by Connie Smith. I know Marty and Connie is same with recording studio but not found duet song.
Thank you so much for posting again.
CptSato 3 years ago