Blackjack, released by Rebel Records in 1978 (SLP-1583), is a reissue of J.D. Crowe and the Kentucky Mountain Boys' 1971 Lemco album Ramblin' Boy — repackaged under a new title that emphasized Crowe's instrumental Blackjack as the centerpiece. The original sessions featured the early Crowe lineup of Doyle Lawson on guitar, Larry Rice on mandolin, and Bobby Slone on bass, working through a mix of bluegrass standards (Somehow Tonight, I'll Stay Around) and contemporary songs that pointed toward Crowe's later progressive direction — including a cover of the Flying Burrito Brothers' Sin City. Banjo features like Blackjack and Bear Tracks showcase Crowe's playing at the moment his Kentucky Mountain Boys had become the band that would soon evolve into the New South.
Tracklist
- 1 Born to Be With You alt version 1:58
- 2 Sin City alt version 3:13
- 3 Somehow Tonight alt version 3:06
- 4 Ramblin' Boy 3:16
- 5 Blackjack Source Recording 2:02
- 6 Bouquet In Heaven 2:58
- 7 I’ll Stay Around alt version 3:21
- 8 Please Search Your Heart alt version 2:30
- 9 Ole Slew Foot alt version 2:34
- 10 Portrait Of The Blues 2:30
- 11 There'll Be No Blind Ones There 3:02
- 12 So Afraid Of Losing You Again 3:12
