While Passing Along This Way (Shanachie 6012, 1994) is a duo record by Norman Blake and Nancy Blake, recorded at Cedarhouse Studios in Arrington, Tennessee. Norman plays acoustic guitar, Hawaiian guitar, fiddle, and dobro; Nancy contributes cello, acoustic guitar, and mandolin, with both sharing vocals. The program balances original compositions with traditional material in the old-time and bluegrass-adjacent vein, touching on hymns recalling the Stanley Brothers and textures echoing the Carter Family. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1996 — fitting recognition for a partnership that had produced some of acoustic music's most understated and lasting recordings across more than two decades of collaboration.
Tracklist
- 1 He's Passing This Way 3:12
- 2 I'm Going To Leave Old Dixie 4:10
- 3 Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine, Going Down The Valley 4:42
- 4 The Grave Of Bonaparte 4:37
- 5 On & On & On 3:06
- 6 The Greenwood Tree 1:53
- 7 Sweet Freedom 3:46
- 8 Sweet Heaven alt version 2:26
- 9 God's Radio Phone 4:37
- 10 Old Mother Flanagan 3:04
- 11 Last Train From Poor Valley alt version 3:35
- 12 Hangin' Dog 2:48
- 13 The Fate Of Talmage Osborne 3:36
- 14 Old Stepstone 3:54
