Earliest Recordings: Complete Rich-R-Tone 78s (1947-1952) [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
Finally, the Stanleys' very first--and very scarce, even when they were initially issued--14 sides return to circulation. The brothers had been together just six months when they signed with the Johnson City, Tennessee, Rich-R-Tone label; their initial efforts are built around old-time, even archaic, mountain harmonies à la the Monroe Brothers and the Carter Family plus Ralph's two-fingered banjo style. By 1952, his three-fingered technique was in place and the Stanleys were the first group following in the footsteps of Bill Monroe's fully realized bluegrass sound. You can hear the evolution here, including two versions of "Little Glass of Wine" (their first "hit"), the strange combination of tensed and relaxed on "Our Darling's Gone," and such breathtaking romps as "Are You Waiting for Me," "Molly and Tenbrook," and "Little Birdie." Carter's warm leads and Ralph's rugged harmonies got even better with time, of course, but with the youthful exuberance they bring to this material, they're already capable of sometimes chilling you to the bone. --John Morthland

Product Description:
Among the many recordings that the Stanley Brothers made in their twenty years together, some of the scarcest - and most exciting - are these sessions for the Rich-R-Tone label from the late 1940s and early 1950s. This collection allows fans to hear the pure sounds of these original recordings as first issued a half century ago.

Earliest Recordings: Complete Rich-R-Tone 78s (1947-1952),The Stanley Brothers,Rounder / Pgd,Bluegrass,Close Harmony,Country,Pop,Traditional Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Best Rich-R-Tone collection I've ever heard Experience their early enthusiasm and delight in their sound where the Stanley Brothers legacy begins...

Earliest Recordings: Complete Rich-R-Tone 78s (1947-1952) The Stanley Brothers Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers The Stanley Brothers and The Clinch Mountain Boys: The Complete Mercury Recordings An Evening Long Ago: Live 1956 The King Years 1961-1965 The Complete Mercury Recordings ASIN: B0000C668B Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. Little Maggie
2. The Jealous Lover
3. The Little Glass Of Wine
4. Our Darling's Gone
5. Molly And Tenbrook
6. The Little Girl And The Dreadful Snake
7. Are You Waiting Just For Me?
8. Death Is Only A Dream
9. Little Birdie
10. I Can Tell You The Time
11. The Little Glass Of Wine (Alternate Version)
12. Mother No Longer Awaits Me At Home
13. The Rambler's Blues
14. The Girl Behind The Bar

Amazon.com

Finally, the Stanleys' very first--and very scarce, even when they were initially issued--14 sides return to circulation. The brothers had been together just six months when they signed with the Johnson City, Tennessee, Rich-R-Tone label; their initial efforts are built around old-time, even archaic, mountain harmonies à la the Monroe Brothers and the Carter Family plus Ralph's two-fingered banjo style. By 1952, his three-fingered technique was in place and the Stanleys were the first group following in the footsteps of Bill Monroe's fully realized bluegrass sound. You can hear the evolution here, including two versions of "Little Glass of Wine" (their first "hit"), the strange combination of tensed and relaxed on "Our Darling's Gone," and such breathtaking romps as "Are You Waiting for Me," "Molly and Tenbrook," and "Little Birdie." Carter's warm leads and Ralph's rugged harmonies got even better with time, of course, but with the youthful exuberance they bring to this material, they're already capable of sometimes chilling you to the bone. --John Morthland

Album Description

Among the many recordings that the Stanley Brothers made in their twenty years together, some of the scarcest - and most exciting - are these sessions for the Rich-R-Tone label from the late 1940s and early 1950s. This collection allows fans to hear the pure sounds of these original recordings as first issued a half century ago.

Customer Reviews:

Best Rich-R-Tone collection I've ever heard.......2006-01-19

Out of the three different issues of the Stanley Brothers Rich R Tone material, this is by far the very best...most of the sides on this CD sound like they came from new copies of these very rare discs. In particular, the bass sounds really come out well.

Experience their early enthusiasm and delight in their sound.......2005-04-27

Playing Time - 35:02 -- The Stanley Brothers started recording just after going to Bristol, Va. in early 1947. Hobart [Jim] Stanton had a company in Johnson City, Tn., had heard them on the radio and contacted them about recording. Initially, the Stanleys recorded at WOPI radio station in Bristol, Va. The first session was Pee Wee Lambert (mandolin), Leslie Keith (fiddle), Carter (guitar) and Ralph (banjo). "Mother No Longer Awaits Me at Home," "The Girl Behind the Bar," "Death is Only a Dream," and "I Can Tell You the Time" were cut. Ray Lambert added bass vocal on the latter two songs. No bass players recorded with the band at the Rich-R-Tone sessions.

And the band wasn't even paid...only promised royalties. The band was happy just to get records out. An early 1948 session with the same personnel captured Little Maggie, The Jealous Lover, The Little Glass of Wine, and Our Darling's Gone. "Little Glass of Wine" quickly became their most popular song and sold 100,000 copies. Around this time, the band was sponsored by a store in Honaker, Va. called Honaker Harness and Saddlery.

A mid-1948 session saw Art Wooten on fiddle instead of Leslie Keith, and the band recorded The Rambler's Blues and Molly and Tenbrook. The band moved to the Columbia label for a few years but returned to Rich-R-Tone for a mid-1952 session recorded at WLSI at Pikeville, KY. Besides Carter and Ralph, this session included Jim Williams (mandolin) and Art Stamper (fiddle). Leslie Keith had left to form his own band, The Lonesome Valley Boys. The Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake, Little Glass of Wine, Are You Waiting Just For Me, and Little Birdie were the four songs cut.

Considered among their most scarce and exciting songs, this CD was made from the old 78s. Many old photos and extensive liner notes written by Gary Reid are well-researched and much appreciated. It's fun to hear some spontaneous hoots and hollers and pounding beats on songs like "Molly and Tenbrook" and "Little Birdie." Obviously, the Stanley Brothers weren't trying to produce the gentle, smooth sound more typical of brother duets from that period. The Stanleys' "old-time mountain music" is traced more to the influence of groups like Mainer's Mountaineers. While certainly not up to the standards of today's recording quality, these songs have significant historic value. These aren't just for collectors or musicologists. Rather, this CD captures an era in the seminal development of bluegrass music before it was even widely known as bluegrass. The Rich-R-Tone sessions allow us to experience this band's early enthusiasm and to delight in the success of their developing sound. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

where the Stanley Brothers legacy begins..........2005-04-12

This is about the 3rd go round on CD for this re-issue of the Stanley Brothers earliest recordings (I also have them on Bear Family & Revenant discs.) If you are interested in bluegrass & want to hear where the sound came from you need this disc. These recordings bridge the gap between old time string band music & the bluegrass that is to come. Ralph Stanley is still touring & I saw him this past weekend & I'm telling you, you need to buy this disc, go see Ralph, & have him autograph the cover. You won't regret buying this piece of history.

Average customer rating: A terrific place to hear the genius as it sprouted.

Earliest Recordings: Complete Rich-R-Tone 78s (1947-1952) The Stanley Brothers Manufacturer: Revenant Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001Z3W Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

1. Molly And Tenbrook
2. The Rambler's Blues
3. Mother No Longer Awaits Me At Home
4. The Girl Behind The Bar
5. Little Maggie
6. The Little Glass Of Wine
7. Our Darling's Gone
8. The Jealous Lover
9. I Can Tell You The Time
10. Little Birdie
11. Little Glass Of Wine (Alt. Version)
12. Death Is Only A Dream
13. Little Girl And The Dreadful Snake
14. Are You Waiting Just For Me?

Amazon.com essential recording

Earliest Recordings features 14 bluegrass tracks from the legendary Stanley Brothers, all released in the late '40s and early '50s for Rich-R-Tone records. It's a great document of the rich history of bluegrass. Ralph Stanley's banjo playing is shown in a period of transition, not quite the old-time twang-and-strum, not quite the Scruggs' style of fingerpicking. Two versions of "The Little Glass of Wine" are included, along with a few gospel-inspired tunes ("Death Is Only a Dream," "Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake"). The CD transfers aren't the best--surface noise from the 78s abounds--but hey, these are hillbilly recordings, raw and rough. --Jason Verlinde

Amazon.com

Earliest Recordings features 14 bluegrass tracks from the legendary Stanley Brothers, all released in the late '40s and early '50s for Rich-R-Tone records. It's a great document of the rich history of bluegrass. Ralph Stanley's banjo playing is shown in a period of transition, not quite the old-time twang-and-strum, not quite the Scruggs' style of fingerpicking. Two versions of "The Little Glass of Wine" are included, along with a few gospel-inspired tunes ("Death Is Only a Dream," "Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake"). The CD transfers aren't the best--surface noise from the 78s abounds--but hey, these are hillbilly recordings, raw and rough. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

A terrific place to hear the genius as it sprouted........1998-09-02

Another fine unearthing from the Revenant stable - the perfect label to stand tall & show us how real American music was made before 1998. The Stanley Brothers have long been recognized as one of bluegrass' hall of fame acts, but these early 78s have barely been available since their release 40 years ago. The recordings serve as a mighty impressive "bridge" between true homespun old-time mountain music and the soon-popularized version of bluegrass that grew from great sessions like these. Recorded over five years in various radio studios (including on the "Farm And Fun Time" program), the Stanleys move delicately from smoothly-plucked duets through blinding backporch rave-ups, pausing at times to give the strong tenor of Ralph Stanley a workout on numbers like the golden "Little Maggie". In fact I'll take Ralph's stuff over many of the harmonizing duets, which at times border on the slightly saccharine. As the quartet coalesced around a tighter line-up, their ability to update their better numbers such as the terrific 1952 re-do of "Little Glass Of Wine" was showcased. The Stanley Brothers had a truly winning formula that they spread out over several of these songs - sometimes the exact same tune & cadence, just with different words. You'll find the gentlemen listed just about anywhere in a history of U.S. mountain sounds, and this deluxe package is as good a place as any to hear the legend as it sprouted.

Music Album:

1. Eats Away the Night
2. For the Ladies [Enhanced] [Live]
3. Forget About It [SACD]
4. Foster & Lloyd
5. Friday Night in Dixie
6. Genuine Rhythm & the Blues
7. George Strait
8. Girls I Have Known/Intimate Jim Reeves [Import]
9. Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight
10. Grand Tour/Alone Again [Import]

Music Album