Flying Fish had an awkward way of combining some of their old LPs for CD issue: on this one, for example you might well not realize until you open the disc that it includes Blake's FIELDS OF NOVEMBER (the picture and the number used would indicate just the latter). In any case, you are getting two "records" for the price of one here, and two very good ones at that. FIELDS OF NOVEMBER has always been my favorite of Blake's, not only for the beautiful title piece, but because every cut is excellent. All the pieces are Blake originals and especially nice are GREEN LEAF FANCY, SOUTHERN RR BLUES, LORD WON'T YOU HELP ME, UNCLE, THE OLD BROWN CASE, and the lovely (and underrated) LAST TRAIN FROM POOR VALLEY. While the 15 cuts from OLD & NEW are just as strong and enjoyable. Blake enjoys strong help on the sessions from wife Nancy, Charlie Collins, and Tut Taylor (dobro).
