Blue To This Day
by Mickey Newbury

Blue to this Day is the posthumous 15th studio album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury, a master singer, songwriter and musician of the late 20th century.

Newbury's albums were often excellent and superbly produced. His previous album, A Long Road Home, strayed a bit from the usual high standard of excellence in Newbury's records, so it is nice to see his recording career come to a close with this fine return to form.

We hear piano, strings (both folk and orchestral) and Newbury's trademark gentle guitar fingerpicking. Newbury is in a sentimental mood as he blends the genres of folk, country, blues and gospel. Newbury re-records the lovely "Song of Sorrow" from his stunning "After All These Years" record. There are no real highlights here, just a wonderful cohesive record.


It is astonishing that Newbury's vocals sound so good, even though he is hooked up to oxygen from the late stages of pulmonary fibrosis.

The final track, Good Night, is a re-recording of the song from the "Lovers" album. The album ends with an instrumental nod to "Beautiful Dreamer," a ballad by highly influential 19th century American songwriter Stephen Foster. Foster was a big influence on Newbury. You can't say the guy set his expectations too high.