Whiskey Before Breakfast

Norman Blake, 1976. Solo by Norman Blake.

Blake's unhurried, even flatpicking on the title track made the tune a jam-session standard.

Whiskey Before Breakfast shows Norman Blake's unhurried, even flatpicking, a style that made the tune a jam-session standard. Rather than racing through it, Blake plays at a comfortable tempo, letting each note ring with clarity and warmth. His tone is rich and woody, with a gentle attack. The approach emphasizes melody and groove over speed, making the tune accessible to players at many levels. His recording became the version many guitarists learned from. Listen for the steady, even rhythm of his picking, and for the small variations he adds on repeated sections, which keep the tune fresh without losing its simplicity.

Whiskey Before Breakfast by Norman Blake is featured in our Bluegrass (#7) list. The solo is played by Norman Blake and the song was released in 1976.

In our lists

• The 20 Greatest Bluegrass Guitar Solos — #7

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