Mandolin Orange & Josh Oliver - The Last Train from Poor Valley

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  • Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2024
  • Mandolin Orange & Josh Oliver - The Last Train from Poor Valley
    Written by Norman Blake
    Filmed and multi-tracked by Beehive Productions in Saranac Lake, NY
    Emily Franz - Fiddle
    Andrew Marlin - Guitar
    Josh Oliver - Guitar
    May 2015
    Captured with Peluso Microphones

Комментарии • 94

  • @rufusblake3599
    @rufusblake3599 3 года назад +79

    Norman wrote this song for June Carter Cash. They were recording a Christmas album at the House of Cash. June, John, Dad and others were talking about their memories of Christmas as a child. June talked about the last train leaving Poor Valley until the next spring. Dad came home that night and wrote the song sitting at the kitchen table on Richland Ave., Nashville, in about 15 minutes.

    • @atlcubsfan
      @atlcubsfan 2 года назад +8

      Unreal story. I'd never heard it. Wow. Norman is a legend

    • @gabrielrougeau833
      @gabrielrougeau833 2 года назад +5

      Thank you for this. I was listening to this song off of The Fields of November and I was driving to work early in the morning it was still dark outside and I had heard the song before, but for some reason on that drive I really heard it for the first time and it moved me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of hearing it as a Christmas song but I shrugged it off as the lyrics about the snow falling down around his cabin. So this confirmed my feelings the song brought me and goes to show how brilliant a song writer Norman Blake is.

    • @jonathanwinskie9788
      @jonathanwinskie9788 2 года назад +8

      Such a cool backstory. Your dad is a legend. Cheers man.

    • @2dollarsaday
      @2dollarsaday Год назад +5

      What a wonderful story. Love this song and your father and his music. Thanks so much for sharing.

    • @NSResponder
      @NSResponder Год назад +7

      If this was the only song your father had ever written, he'd still be one of the greats.

  • @smudgysmudges8087
    @smudgysmudges8087 2 года назад +21

    The reaction to Josh's lick at `2.0 minutes is one of my favourite youtube moments. Pure and genuine enjoyment. If it was a VHS my copy would be warped at this point by now!

    • @Phillsfan89
      @Phillsfan89 2 года назад +1

      Too true

    • @allenhallnoch6937
      @allenhallnoch6937 Год назад

      I come back to this video again and again and find myself tearing up a little every time. The song, their treatment of it, and the videography are all so beautiful and powerful.

  • @stevereid8486
    @stevereid8486 25 дней назад

    Songs like this one transports me to another country, another time. Love your voice.
    Ps, l live in New Zealand. Discovered you guys two years ago and feast on your work. Love it!!

  • @williamc.hensel130
    @williamc.hensel130 3 года назад +12

    Grateful bow and hand to heart, with thanks to Norman Blake, to the Seldom Scene, to my wonderful friends and former neighbors in Franklin County, VA, and to God. Andy, Emily and Josh embody what I find so beautiful and poignant about central Appalachia - one of the most focused, in-sight-full musician-poets, the most beautiful of free spirit fiddlers, and a very laid-back, talented 'best man', who've been faithful to music and one another for years. 'Mandolin Orange' have re-christened themselves as 'Watchhouse' this year - new chapter, same long, fine story! And after years, I still come close to crying every time brown-haired Becky heads back to Richmond.

  • @richardwedlich1021
    @richardwedlich1021 Месяц назад

    I come back this all the time. Thanks.

  • @Jay-lr3me
    @Jay-lr3me 4 года назад +8

    Vocals are smooth as butter

  • @MarcSt-Jean
    @MarcSt-Jean Год назад

    To hear the guitar solo played on that old Gibson adds warmth and sweetness together with those pristine harmonies makes a near perfect rendition of this beautiful song.

  • @charliegarvin775
    @charliegarvin775 Год назад +1

    I've probably watched this video 60 times and I never get tired of it. The harmony play between them is impeccable. I wish Josh had leaned in a little because I lose him sometimes but that just makes me appreciate when I can all the more. This is honestly one of those videos that when it shows up in my feed I can't help but watch it to the end. Beautifully done.

  • @robertshorthill4153
    @robertshorthill4153 3 года назад +4

    A very touching song, done proud by MO folks. Norman would appreciate and approve of these folks' version. I remember busking this song on streets of Seattle way back many decades ago.

  • @donnahargis8814
    @donnahargis8814 3 года назад +7

    Andrew smiling at that low slide (2:08) just made my morning.

    • @thetriplenegative
      @thetriplenegative 3 года назад +1

      Emily grinned, too. I don't get bird-leather much these days, but Josh is a talented picker, and those chill-bumps were a pleasant surprise.

    • @jackmurphy4788
      @jackmurphy4788 3 года назад +1

      Josh in drop D. Works really well.

    • @thetriplenegative
      @thetriplenegative 3 года назад +1

      @@jackmurphy4788 - I have watched Josh play a bit over the past few years-he has all of those extra gears a good guitarist needs. It's only a matter of time . . . . I am reminded of the first time I saw Steve Gaines play, even before he 'made the team'.
      Mandolin Orange, in all respects, is a breath of fresh air in an overly stagnant world filled with pretense and mindless flapdoodle. ;)

    • @ronmercer6880
      @ronmercer6880 3 года назад +1

      That's pure respect , Donna.....

  • @johnshaw7328
    @johnshaw7328 2 года назад +3

    This is an excellent presentation of a great song! Wow!! Emily on that fiddle is superb! Move over Allison Krauss. Love this group!

  • @atlcubsfan
    @atlcubsfan 4 года назад +6

    Just got chills here listening to them harmonize on the chorus the first time. Wow....

  • @marckhachfe1238
    @marckhachfe1238 5 лет назад +9

    These guys are astounding. They just get better and better.

  • @lawrencevandenberg7725
    @lawrencevandenberg7725 9 месяцев назад

    Plain good. Let's have a deep crystal bowl of Mandolin Orange as a centerpiece, please!

  • @thelonglife5772
    @thelonglife5772 Год назад

    Tone all day … totally inspired to lock myself in the bathroom and play until 3 am

  • @kirklefevrejr.603
    @kirklefevrejr.603 6 лет назад +18

    On the other songs I could barely hear Josh this time I can hear Josh and with you guys together this was the best video you guys put out as a trio. Wow that last part where the music went real low and is just vocals WOW. Probably one of my favorite mandolin Orange videos of all time well done

    • @Hubbardbilly
      @Hubbardbilly 5 лет назад +3

      kirk lefevre Jr. Wait until you see the NPR tiny desk that just came out today...

  • @tommy2thumbs391
    @tommy2thumbs391 4 года назад +17

    This is absolutely the best version of this song I've ever heard.. and I love seldom scene, norman Blake, and hell even billy strings version.. but this is the cream of the crop right here.

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 года назад +1

      Norman Blake is a great songwriter, and a terrible singer. Seldom Scene rules this tune, but this Mandolin Orange version is damn good, too.

    • @stubs3849
      @stubs3849 4 года назад

      Agreed. Best version.

    • @sheikwake
      @sheikwake 4 года назад +3

      Mandolin Orange is my favorite band.
      However, Tim O’Brien does an outstanding vocal performance of this song just him and a mandolin at the end of a podcast called The Show on the Road.
      I could swear at the end of it (which I listened to maybe 10 times in a row) Brown-haired Becky left him in Poor Valley.
      Check it out.
      One doesn’t have to be better and I’m always a sucker for harmonies, but what he does is something special.

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 года назад +1

      @@sheikwake Tim is amazing--will have to check that out

    • @briancook4248
      @briancook4248 2 года назад +2

      Tony sings this one so nice. RIP

  • @richmondscribe
    @richmondscribe Год назад +2

    Two cents time...as the son of an Appalachian coal miner I learned the meaning of "scrip" as a boy. Basically it was company tender instead of dollars used to pay the miners. I understand how folks might think the line is "get your ration script on time" but please, leave the "t" off at the end for accuracy's sake.

  • @johno9754
    @johno9754 3 года назад +7

    This is a wonderful rendition. And the fiddler’s eyes.❤️lol

    • @jacquesblaque7728
      @jacquesblaque7728 Год назад +1

      By name, Emily. Yer not the only one totally taken by Emily.

  • @dustbat
    @dustbat 8 месяцев назад

    Always loved this song. You can SEE the situation unfold through the beautiful words. Love the writers.🦇

  • @margaretigoe1445
    @margaretigoe1445 3 года назад +4

    I've just discovered you all and this song.... love it your music and voices
    played it over and over ..

  • @steveheighton5971
    @steveheighton5971 Год назад

    Such a wonderful band! I saw them in the Cumberland Caverns and it was an outstanding concert.

  • @mikeEstreet
    @mikeEstreet Год назад +1

    Thank goodness there is still great talent out there

  • @Phillsfan89
    @Phillsfan89 2 года назад +2

    I believe in love at first site with the fiddle player! Beautifully done guys! Outstanding stuff!

  • @Mjollnir50
    @Mjollnir50 5 лет назад +2

    Josh's J45 is a cannon when he wants it to step up. Nice job, all of you.

  • @richardwedlich8823
    @richardwedlich8823 Год назад

    Just great. Thanks.

  • @spgokc78
    @spgokc78 5 лет назад +4

    Damn that's good music!!!

  • @thefretfiend
    @thefretfiend 3 года назад +2

    Beautiful!!!

  • @ArjunLSen
    @ArjunLSen 3 года назад +2

    Totally outstanding ! 👏👏

  • @mikesolomon481
    @mikesolomon481 Год назад

    A Wonderful cover of this classic !

  • @JohnGieschenJr
    @JohnGieschenJr 5 лет назад +3

    Holy shit Sarnac Lake!!! Nice

  • @farnorthpicker56
    @farnorthpicker56 2 года назад +1

    What a gorgeous rendition!

  • @robertgarland805
    @robertgarland805 3 года назад +1

    Outstanding Vocals.

  • @klippdachs
    @klippdachs 4 года назад +3

    Fine singing!
    Well done.

  • @dougfulton5176
    @dougfulton5176 Год назад

    I love this song, and it is well presented!

  • @denttech2515
    @denttech2515 4 года назад +2

    Awesome... just awesome

  • @petrotmyrcz308
    @petrotmyrcz308 Год назад

    Fantastic cover by some of my favorite performers. I will listen to this often as I can.

  • @JohnGieschenJr
    @JohnGieschenJr 5 лет назад +16

    Can’t think of another vid where Andrew AND Josh are playing guitar. They do just keep getting better and better

    • @richardwallace6313
      @richardwallace6313 4 года назад

      Kind of weird too in that John Duffey played mandolin on the Seldom Scene's version

  • @BlindTom61
    @BlindTom61 2 года назад +1

    Good stuff indeed...

  • @friedhelmp.9217
    @friedhelmp.9217 3 года назад

    For me it's the finest version of that song! Recorded with a great Mic.

  • @johnalmond650
    @johnalmond650 5 лет назад +3

    Mercy, mercy, so good!

  • @ctb7894
    @ctb7894 Год назад

    Great guitar work

  • @mikebrowning9055
    @mikebrowning9055 3 года назад

    so disappointed you didn't play this in Louisville. You were still great.

  • @lanehancockwvo1442
    @lanehancockwvo1442 4 года назад +2

    Always listened to Seldom Scene doing this number growing up, and still am yet to find a bad rendition

  • @clintjordan5846
    @clintjordan5846 3 года назад +1

    Very nice . Find the Seldom Scene version also. Fine job

    • @robertshorthill4153
      @robertshorthill4153 3 года назад +1

      That's where I first learned it from. Got a few miles out of it busking in Seattle in the early '70s. Wonderful song.

  • @jeroengrobben7555
    @jeroengrobben7555 5 лет назад +2

    Wow, just wow.

  • @bellecabello3762
    @bellecabello3762 3 года назад

    Just found this group/song tonight. I’m in looooove. 😍😍😍

    • @jacquesblaque7728
      @jacquesblaque7728 Год назад

      Happens to lots of folks- brief encounter, and you're hooked. Like me.

  • @thelittlemoontravelers
    @thelittlemoontravelers Год назад

    well aint this lonesome. so good

  • @laserpkh
    @laserpkh 5 лет назад +1

    Wow, so nicely done.

  • @dbszepesi
    @dbszepesi 5 лет назад

    Big fan of the Seldom Scene. Beautiful version, thanks!

  • @ThisCreaturesFeatures
    @ThisCreaturesFeatures 5 месяцев назад

    5 years ago? I'm gone!

  • @Papaduke
    @Papaduke 5 лет назад +4

    RIP John Starling

  • @drewby613
    @drewby613 Год назад

    Interesting vocal stacking. Seems like the lower pitched guy is singing the tenor part, while the higher pitched woman's voice is singing the baritone. Very cool. Great guitars, heck *everybody* is good on this one.

  • @mynamismudd4883
    @mynamismudd4883 5 лет назад +2

    That's such a great song. Would love to see them cover Billy Gray.

    • @mrpual49
      @mrpual49 3 года назад +1

      One of my favorites of Norman's

    • @JailbirdJay
      @JailbirdJay Год назад

      There is a Cover from billy gray by Andrew Marlin with one Of his Solo projects! Absolutely Perfect… ❤

    • @JailbirdJay
      @JailbirdJay Год назад

      ruclips.net/video/tIAhyXUTano/видео.html

  • @thomassyverson7561
    @thomassyverson7561 3 года назад

    Just fuckin awesome!

  • @andrewusher1033
    @andrewusher1033 3 года назад

    It's weird to see Andrew play guitar whilst Josh is playing guitar cause I'm used mandolin Andrew haha

  • @BrunoGrazianoG
    @BrunoGrazianoG 4 года назад +8

    Well it was good one time everything was mighty fine
    The coal tipples roared day and night
    But things they got slow for no reason that I know
    And ill winds they hove into sight
    The mines all closed down everybody laid around
    There wasn’t very much left to do
    Except stand in that line to get your ration script on time
    And woman I could see it killin’ you
    Now the soft new snows of December
    Lightly fall my cabin ’round And the last train from Poor Valley
    Takin’ brown haired Becky Richmond bound
    It’s been a comin’ on and on lord soon you would be gone
    Leavin’ crossed your mind every day
    Then you said to me things are bad back home you see
    I guess I better be on my way
    Well I should blame you know but I never could somehow
    A miner’s wife you weren’t cutout to be
    It wasn’t what you thought just some dreams that you’d bought
    When you left home and ran away with me

  • @FrankChesser
    @FrankChesser Месяц назад

    Very good version of this song I like it better than the Billy Strings one !!!

  • @mandosandradios
    @mandosandradios 6 месяцев назад

    is there other guy plaiyng a lg2?

  • @patrickgroll2046
    @patrickgroll2046 2 года назад

    Fabulous rendition. I feel it should be a bit faster though

  • @janereeves5627
    @janereeves5627 6 лет назад

    Was he mad at poor Emily?

  • @Kan-o-tex
    @Kan-o-tex 4 года назад +1

    Nice job on a great song.
    ...but am I hearing "coal temples roared day and night"? vs. "coal tipples roared day and night."
    Coal Temples would be a great bluegrass/old time band name.

    • @fairsherrr
      @fairsherrr 2 года назад

      A tipple is a structure used at a mine to load the extracted product (e.g., coal, ores) for transport, typically into railroad hopper cars.

  • @lindseywalker6925
    @lindseywalker6925 Год назад

    A song thats easy to butcher as it is to sing. This song merits respect. However, I'm iimaging blood on the floor at their feet.😢