“New Chance Blues” was written by the guitarist Norman Blake and recorded for “Blake & Rice,” the 1987 album of duets by Blake and Tony Rice.
A mid-tempo instrumental with an unusual chord progression — one that hovers between keys — the tune is a favorite jam piece, well suited to the give-and-take of two guitars. It is one of Blake’s distinctive original instrumentals.
The tune carried into the flatpicking repertoire.