Norman Blake Ginseng Sullivan

1996 Flatpick Camp

Category:

Music

Tags:

• norman
• blake
• ginseng
• sullivan
• flatpick

[acousticspectrum]

Looks like Norman is playing either a Gibson L-00 or Gibson Nick Lucas model, which is basically like an L-00 with a thicker body. I believe in more recent years Norman prefers the smaller body guitars. What a great picker! It took me a while to figure out this is what real guitar picking is all about. Hot licks are cool for a while but this is what it's really about.

[spitzmanndm]

nothing' better as the honest,pure,original performance from the original songwriter! Thanks you Mr Blake,you 've done to make us all better,sorry 'bout my poor english,i'm only alsacien,god bless you all, P

[fngrpkn06]

So smooth and effortless, it's like he's not even playing. He's my favorite.

[EldoNorte]

As much as I love up-tempo Bluegrass and Old Time, it is guys like Norman Blake whom we have to thank for making this music subtle and pensive. What Blake has given to the World, is among the very best that the U.S. mysterious South has to offer in music. So sad, Norman reportedly did never want to fly thus we could not hear him live in Europe.

[martinmaniad35]

Just doesn't get any better'n norman blake!

[kgcomojo]

Norman God Bless you- May you stay forever young thanks

[chrisjmccune]

Lots of folks seem to over look how good of a songwriter Norman is. It's great to see posts giving him the praise he has deserved for a long time.

[altstrasse]

First heard Norman do this in 1975 in Nashville at GTR. Learned it and been playing it ever since. Sullivan was real, and made his living off mtn ginseng and selling it to NE alternative holistic med cos. He never did make it back home, as Norman says. Just a beautiful song.

[Druss1586]

First time I've heard the original. Very nice and precise. I must say, I love how Phish speeds it up and makes it sound "slap-happy." It's just not even the same element. This version is laid back and thoughtful. Phish's version is upbeat and dance-worthy.

[Dulcimerea]

I heard this song for the first time in a workshop concert played by Norman and Nancy and James in 1982 (Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield Ks.) and got a basic monaural tape recorded of it and used to listen to this song over and over and over, until the tape wore out, and I don't think I ever wore a tape out from too much playing except that one. This is one of the greatest folk songs ever written. It's such imagery and a story and just takes you in. Norman Blake is an American treasure.

[deborahkauffman09]

Norman is THE MAN

[isurelike]

Thank u so much for posting this. I've played the song for years, but never knew the back story. This is a lovely version, too. Time to get out the box and try some of those licks!