Shacktown Road by Norman Blake, Nancy Blake, Tut Taylor

The last time bluegrass legends Norman Blake and Tut Taylor recorded together was in 1971 for John Hartford’s seminal “newgrass” record Aero-Plain. Thirty-six years later, they reconvened alongside Blake’s wife Nancy for 2007’s Shacktown Road, originally released by Plectrafone Records. Recorded with historic instruments—including a cello made in 1832—Shacktown Road presents eighteen selections of traditional blues, ragtime, and country songs, tradition-inspired compositions by Taylor and Blake, and commentary from Taylor. Described by Blake as “an historical piece of art,” Shacktown Road is an exciting contribution to the canon of American roots music.