Marty Robbins Sings 'Ribbon of Darkness.'

Marty Robbins had a number one Country hit in 1965 with this Gordon Lightfoot song. This was a rare occasion when Marty didn't sing a song that was his own or owned by his publishing company and he must have realized what a great song it was when he first heard it. It never reached the Billboard Hot 100 however, which given the quality of the song and performance is somewhat strange.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Country

[tarquin45]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[bmarvi76]

Marty sang this better than Gordy. Anyone agree?

[faustus999]

this is one of my favourite marty songs. his voice is fantastic on this..as it always is.

[donquixote2u]

@bmarvi76 sorry, but I dont. Gordons original composer's interpretation has more feeling, imho, and i am a fan of both artists

[jetboyt]

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.

[mammie64]

Thanks so much for posting Marty is gone but his music lives on!

[rockrollincountry]

@bmarvi76 I Agree

[hxo20292]

Both versions are great. I just prefer Marty's version a little bit more. I love his voice

[miltsar]

truyly a beautiful and expressive voice...equivalent to Fred Astaire dancing...in the sense that he makes it look/sound so easy !

[calmat78]

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

[1011mn]

Never made the Billboard 100? Go figure.

[indyvic]

Marty had such a mellow voice. Unforgettable. Good post.