With or without Nancy Blake, Norman Blake has been recording for a long time, but "Chattanooga Sugar Babe" is as good as anything he's ever done, starting with its selection of songs and tunes. These include obscure traditional numbers ("Platonia the Pride of the Plains" and "The Founding of the Famous C.P.R." [Canadian Pacific Railroad]), reflecting Blake's intimate familiarity with old folk and early country music. In addition, there are some marvelous tradition-flavored originals such as the title song, "Ol' Bill Miner (The Gentleman Bandit)," and "Ragtime Texas," this last a tribute to the legendary hobo/songster Henry Thomas, best remembered for his 1920s version of "Fishing Blues." In these and some tuneful instrumentals, Blake plays assured, uncluttered guitar, guitar/banjo, and more. A fine job all around.

Norman Blake's Chattanooga Sugar Babe, is an excellent example of traditional American music. It's perfect to get the right atmosphere at the Thursday-night poker-game or just listening to when sitting down in your favourite armchair. You've got to hear this!

This CD marks a transition for Norman, as it's his first solo effort since his break-up with Nancy. Most notable are his original rags, including the wonderful Paramount Rag and the banjo-flavored Chattanooga Rag, both of which sound as if they could have been written 100 years ago, with all the complexity and syncopation of a Joplin piano rag. And you just have to love Norman's tasteful treatment of old-time story-songs; I once heard Norman say that he gets a lot of his material from old 78's he picks up at garage sales and so forth - here, listen to his faithful treatment of Wilf Carter's 'The Rescue From Moose River Goldmine' and 'Platonia the Pride of the Plains'.

Listening to this offering feels like spending the afternoon looking through old photos from your great-grandfather's trunk, finding treasures, longing for simpler times.