NORRIS People CD)

(Bear Family Records) 21 titres, livret de 30 pages

Norris est un nom étroitement associé à l'engouement pour le folk et le bluegrass du début des années 70. Artiste attachant et chaleureux, beaucoup se souviennent encore de lui lors de ses apparitions aux premiers festivals de Neusüdende. Norris est venu des Pays-Bas (où il vit toujours aujourd'hui) avec sa guitare, son banjo et son dulcimer.

Son répertoire était composé de chansons folkloriques traditionnelles, de chansons d'actualité et de ses propres chansons. Norris travaille avec People, Peggy Dare, Girard et Chris, de grands compositeurs de chansons, qui figurent sur ce CD.

Ces chansons ont été enregistrées en 1973 et 1974, et de bons amis de l'époque ont aidé Norris à les enregistrer : Tracy Schwarz (New Lost City Ramblers), Andrew Townend, Chris Comber et Mike Paris.

« People » est un merveilleux document contemporain. Il nous ramène à une époque plus insouciante, plus simple et peut-être plus belle.

NORRIS   People

Twenty five years ago brings back fond memories. It's like a collage. Inerspersed between gigs were eating in fine restaurants, listening to German folksongs, picnics, flea markets, recording studios, new homes, jam sessions, crying children, and much more.The one thing that seemed to stick in my mind was the attitude of the musicians. They seemed to play for the pleasure of playing and entertaining the public. Records at that time were just an extention of that pleasure. There seemed to be no playing to be discovered. There seemed to be no playing with the idea of hoping there was someone in the audience to put you under a recording contract. I'll always look back on those times and be glad that I was part of it.
Norris

Reprint of the original LP liner notes, from January 1974:

I would like to say a few words about my friend Norris in way of introducing his new record 'People'.

First off, Norris Bennett was born in Ocala, Florida. Finished Grammar and High School, went on to College in Illinois and San Francisco. After that he did some rambling around, keeping body and soul together by doing what showed up. Everything from working in a postoffice, moving furniture, dishwashing, teaching, boys counselor, plus other jobs along the way too.

Though he's played music for years, Norris didn't become seriously interested till '61.

In '66, he hit Europe and since that time visited 13 countries, but chose Holland as his favorite where he now lives with his wife, guitar, banjo, autoharp, and dulcimer. As far as I know, no chickens and kids, as yet anyway.

We became friends about 5 years ago, when my wife and I moved to Antwerpen. Since that time, we have done numerous shows together and I have heard his music grow during that time in a way that suggests to me simplicity and truth.

A man simply singing and playing what his heart feels, not straining his gizzard to be commercial or sound like somebody else, just himself. That's why I was pleased when I received my copy of the record and heard again that Norris had stuck with his principles of that simplicity in its honesty. Funny thing simplicity; we start losing it when still quite young and spend a good part of the rest of our lives trying to get it back.

I had planned at this point to say a few words about the record, but got to thinking that the record can speak more for itself and in a better way than I can for it. So your best bet is to sit down and listen to it. You'll hear the simplicity, the honesty, the good choice of songs, good musicians, the sensitivity of Norris' own songs, some to friends, but all of them personal.

I guess in a way, this record is another step, a good step in Norris' sort of kicking around musician kind of life.

So here it is. I hope you like it.
Derroll Adams

NORRIS People
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