Clinch Mountain Gospel

1. Over in the Gloryland

2. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

3. Oh, Death

4. There'll Be None on the Other Side

5. Mother's Not Dead

6. Jesus Savior Pilot Me

7. Travelling the Highway Home

8. I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages

9. Amazing Grace

10. What a Price

11. Are You Afraid to Die

12. I Am Weary (Let Me Rest)

Tracks:

Over In The Gloryland
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Oh, Death
There'll Be None On The Other Side
Mother's Not Dead
Jesus Savior Pilot Me
Travelling The Highway Home
I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages
Amazing Grace
What A Price
Are You Afraid To Die
I Am Weary (Let Me Rest)

Customer Reviews:

Powerful!.......2005-03-14

Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys are amzingly powerful on this album entitled "Clinch Mountain Gospel." The vocals and haunting harmonies that embody the Ralph Stanley style of bluegrass will definitely inspire you.

Keith Whitley does a wonderful job on the titles that he sings lead on for this album. Two of the best songs are definitely "Traveling the Highway Home," which features great banjo work and the call and response arrangement of "Amazing Grace." The haunting and archaic vocals will definitely over power you. The entire album is full of wonderful and traditional music that deals with questions of death, life, struggles, and overcoming obstacles. We find our help in the Lord and this album is honest and soul-stirring.

Clinch Mountain Gospel features some of the best and classic work of Ralph Stanley gospel. The recording sound is excellent! There is no doubt this album is a timeless treasure in the history of the Stanley style and American music. The uniqueness and talent of Ralph and his band is simply magical.

This will reach you, religious or not!.......2004-01-26

Several songs are a raw confrontation with death. Ideology is not here. Real human feeling is. The music is superb bluegrass, with a variety of tempos.

Excellent from top to bottom.......2002-03-28

This CD is excellent from top to bottom. The late Keith Whitley fronts the band and leaves you sorry that he died at the age of 33. His voice was made for this type of music and every song has you wanting to sing along.

As always, Ralph Stanley takes Bluegrass Gospel where only he can take it with his high tenor voice.

Some of the best on the album are "Over In Gloryland", "Jesus Savior Pilot Me", "I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages" and "I am Weary."

The sound of this album was of much better quality than expected with both the vocals and insturmentation being extremely clear (recorded in the 70's, I wasn't sure what to expect).

Tracks:

Man of Constant Sorrow
Goin' up Home to Live in Green Pastures
Rocky Island
Old Richmond Prison
Oh Death
Hard Times
Angel Band
Little Birdie
I Am Weary
Dream of a Miner's Child
Calling My Children Home
Poor Rambler
I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages

Amazon.com essential recording

Ralph Stanley's half-century-long career received a nice boost late in 2000 with the release of Joel and Ethan Coen's movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? The film prominently featured three tunes from the Stanley repertoire, including the title tune of this stellar anthology (although it's not Stanley's version that's featured in the film). Another is the hillbilly lament "Oh Death," a traditional song that perfectly suits Stanley's high, wavering, mournful voice. Focusing on Stanley's post-Stanley Brothers career, this set serves as a fine introduction to his estimable body of work, including gems like "Goin' Up Home to Live in Green Pastures"--as pretty a country gospel tune as has ever been recorded--"Hard Times," and "Old Richmond Prison." It's an altogether satisfying collection that leaves the listener wanting more. --Gregory McNamee

Customer Reviews:

got a short time to stay here and a long time to be gone.......2003-07-28

The (over)production here is a bit slick -- the giddy fiddle and animatronic banjo combo make me a little queasy on some of the songs. Stanley vibrates his nasal septum like a sax reed. If your scrotum needs tightening, this will do it.

Man this one kicks!.......2002-10-24

Here I am only half way through the CD and motivated enough to write such a positive review! This album kicks!

Scary Good.......2002-05-17

It was only a matter of time before greater America woke up to Bluegrass music, the big-beat music with no drums that's been in our backyard for generations.

Ralph Stanley sings songs of sorrow and he means it; I think the scary feeling many listeners talk about comes from Stanley hitting home, a deadeye bullseye on some archetypical fears.

Great fiddle playing, too.

This is your chance to get to know the Great Ralph Stanley.......2001-08-12

As a result of "O Brother Where Art Thou?", Ralph Stanley is finally reaching reknown beyond bluegrass fans. Hard core bluegrass fans have known for decades that Ralph Stanley is the premier male mountain singer....this collection will let everyone else know that Stanely is a great singer...period! This collection is a mini-retrospective of Stanley's solo work during the seventies. I'm sorry I missed these songs when they were originally issued because this is bone-chilling, hair-raising mountain singing. Every cut on this CD is a gem; the standout being "Old Richmond Prison," a paen to regret, loneliness and isolation that'll convert you for sure.

at there best.......2001-05-11

ralph stanley and kieth whitley at there very best

Average customer rating:

+ 1/2 stars.....Bluegrass Is Alive And Thriving
In Dreamland with Dolly, Iris, Melba, Chely, Lucinda, et al
Traditional Bluegrass
Ralphs Band in Rare Form
This hits the Spot!

Clinch Mountain Sweethearts
Ralph Stanley & Friends
Manufacturer: Rebel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Clinch Mountain Country
Saturday Night & Sunday Morning
Great High Mountain
While the Ages Roll On
Clinch Mountain Gospel

ASIN: B00005NVZ1
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Ridin' That Midnight Train (with Iris DeMent)
Will You Miss Me (with Pam Tillis)
Little Willie (with Patty Mitchell)
Oh, Death (with Gillian Welch)
Loving You Too Well (with Dolly Parton)
The Memory Of Your Smile (with Maria Muldaur)
Are you Tired Of Me, Darling (with Sara Evans)
Weeping Waltz (with Joan Baez)
I'll Never Grow Tired Of You (with Kristi Stanley)
Rank Stranger (with Gail Davies)
Trust Each Other (with Iris DeMent)
Angel Band (with Chely Wright)
You Win Again (with Melba Montgomery)
I'm Ready To Go (with Jeannie Seely)
Farther Along (with Lucinda Williams)
I'll Remember You Love In My Prayers (with Valerie Smith)

Amazon.com

This 16-track duet package is something of a companion piece to 1993's Saturday Night & Sunday Morning and 1998's Clinch Mountain Country, both of which offered a dazzling array of duets featuring Ralph Stanley singing with an A-list of country and bluegrass stars. Clinch Mountain Sweethearts, which features only female partners, is a worthwhile collection, though somewhat less focused than its predecessors. Country, folk, and pop stalwarts such as Iris DeMent, Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, Chely Wright, and Joan Baez display their artistry as they square off with Stanley at the microphone. But the real treats are Stanley's duets with less celebrated talents like Gail Davies, Melba Montgomery, Valerie Smith, Kristi Stanley, and Jeannie Seely. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews:

+ 1/2 stars.....Bluegrass Is Alive And Thriving.......2003-02-09

I have had in my collection for decades the numerous albums the Stanley Brothers cut for Starday, King and Gusto in the fifties and sixties. However, I'll admit it wasn't until Ralph Stanley's resurrection in popularity with the whole "O Brother" phenomenon that I began noticing his more recent labums.

The premise to this 2001 Rebel release was simple: Find some of the best female vocalists in the business and revisit some of the old Stanley Brothers classics. I was skeptical at first, but after the first notes of "Ridin' That Midnight Train" with Iris DeMent, any misgivings I had disappeared.

Although no less moving, Stanley performs "Oh, Death" with Gillian Welch--not a capella, but with the backing of the Clinch Mountain Boys. Other highlights are Dolly Parton's version of "Loving You Too Well," Sara Evans' "Are You Tired of Me, Darling," Lucinda Williams' "Farther Along" and Valerie Smith's "I'll Remember You in My Prayers." Truth to tell, these are are all lovingly performed songs.

As the reigning patriarch of bluegrass, it's encouraging to see Ralph Stanley (who was 73 when these recordings were made) not only receive the recognition he deserves but for helping pass the torch so bluegrass will continue to thrive into the 21st Century. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

In Dreamland with Dolly, Iris, Melba, Chely, Lucinda, et al.......2002-08-01

This is the third album of Ralph Stanley's with guests (or is it the fourth? - I think Saturday Night Sunday Morning was recorded as two separate albums) - and came about because the ladies were seriously under-represented on the earlier projects, yet clearly indicated a desire to record with Ralph. The success of John Prine's In spite of ourselves (featuring another stellar cast of ladies, also including Iris, Melba and Lucinda) would have dispelled any doubts about the viability of such a project.

Though under-represented, some notable ladies did appear on the previous albmus (Clinch Mountain Country and Saturday Night Sunday Morning), including Connie Smith (who also appeared on that John Prine album), Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris. Patty Loveless, Rhonda Vincent and Laurie Lewis, so they leave the stage to others this time.

All the songs are beautifully sung and well chosen. On albums like these, your favorites tend to depend on which guests you like best, but there are so many here that I love, although Dolly is my favorite singer.

Valerie Smith recorded a stunning debut album (Patchwork Heart), listed as Limited Availabilty by Amazon.com - a definite contender for my favorite bluegrass album. I haven't heard her second, Turtle wings.

It's great to see Jeannie Seely back in the recording studio, singing a lovely version of I'm ready to go.

Kristi Stanley (Ralph's daughter-in law) makes her recording debut here, and acquits herself well. It remains to be seen whether she records anything of her own.

Patty Mitchell, who also puts in a great performance, was once a member of the Dixie Chicks. Their music pre-Natalie was very different, much more solidly traditional (way off the mainstream - I could never imagine a major label wanting them), as evidenced on their Little ol' cowgirl album, one of three unavailable early albums, not listed by Amazon.com.

Then there's Pam, Maria, Sara, Gail, Joan, Gillian and the five in my headline .... each and every one of them makes a magnificent contribution. For Iris fans, there's a real treat - she gets to do two songs.

So there you have it - a great bluegrass album of love songs, featuring fifteen magnificent ladies, some world-famous like Dolly and Joan, some complete unknowns like Patty and Kristi and the rest somewhere in between, yet all putting in strong enough performances such that nobody really stands out from the rest - and that makes for a great album.

Traditional Bluegrass.......2002-03-12

How can any album go wrong with Ralph Stanley at the helm! These albums that have been created with Stanley and friends will go through many generations of music listeners as the best that bluegrass has to offer....I love ya Ralph....

Ralphs Band in Rare Form.......2002-02-17

Having made the pilgrimage to Ralph's mountaintop Memorial Day festival last year I can tell you that even the best recording can't do justice to Ralph and his band live. That said, this album rocks! Ralph and his producers have done a fine job pairing him with some phenomenal singers. His band sounds like they were born to play together. These guys are special! "Lil Willie" gets my vote as the best track among several stellar cuts. That fiddle tears me up every time I hear it.

My heartfelt wish is that this wonderful music continues to find its way into popular culture. We need Ralph unplugged on MTV! If it worked for Tony Bennett it can work for Ralph (although Ralph would be a considerably more challenging cross-over project!). If this NYC-raised Van Halen - George Clinton lover can "get it", anyone can!!

This hits the Spot!.......2002-02-08

Making a distinction between this recording and "pure" bluegrass seems beside the point to me. Ralph Stanley has simply assembled some of the very best female country/bluegrass vocalists around, matched them up with great tunes and produced a CD that spends A LOT of time on my stereo system. Iris DeMent and Ralph are terrific, so much so that I hope they record again together real soon. But then I would buy a CD by Iris DeMent and virtually anyone. Don't pass this album up, no matter what sort of music you prefer.

Average customer rating:

"Bluegrass is still strong...MOUNTAIN MUSIC ORIGINALS"
Stellar two-fer reissue of powerhouse bluegrass lineup

Echoes of the Stanley Brothers
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mountain Preacher's Child
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A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family

ASIN: B00005A8MJ
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Are You Proud Of America
Rock Bottom
Another Song, Another Drink
Take Me Back
You're Going Away
Hulla Gull
Let's Keep Old Glory Waving
River Underground
Ain't It Hard
Daughter Of Geronimo
Buckwheat
Keep My Love With You
Let Me Walk Lord By Your Side
In Heaven We'll Never Grow Old
Wings Of Angels
The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn
Working On A Building
Gathering Flowers For The Masters Boquet (Master's Boquet)
Leaning On The Everlasting Arm (Leaning On Jesus)
White Dove
Shouting On The Hills Of Glory
A Few More Seasons Yet To Come
Daniel Prayed
My Main Trail Is Yet To Come

Customer Reviews:

"Bluegrass is still strong...MOUNTAIN MUSIC ORIGINALS".......2001-12-03

There have been so many Ralph Stanley firsts...difficult to pick any as his best...his classic tune "Man Of Constant Sorrow", from the film "O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU"...his sound is original, almost "born within" growing up and singing MOUNTAIN MUSIC, which is now called BLUEGRASS.

Ralph Stanley is an institution, probably the foremost authority on the subject of what many people have just discovered ~ BLUEGRASS MUSIC...watched the DVD "Down From The Mountain", where Stanley is interviewed about the upcoming film, which is does guest spots(O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU)...just in time is this release from Varese Sarabande ~ "Echoes Of The Stanley Brothers", within this release of 24 tunes from his Clinch Mountain Boys...melodies and lyrics of EVERYDAY LIFE, as seen through the eyes of hardworking folk...playing and singing is their recreation...and folks, if this is their pass time...I want to be included...as a listener, this is the GREATEST!

Total Time: 60:14 on 24 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066-215-2 ~ (2001)

Stellar two-fer reissue of powerhouse bluegrass lineup.......2001-06-16

This reissue combines two albums, "Michigan Bluegrass," and "Sing Gospel Echoes of the Stanley Brothers," that were recorded for the tiny Jessup label within six weeks of each other in 1971. At that time, five years after the passing of his older brother, Carter, Ralph was carrying on the Stanley Brothers sound, but moving it forward, creating a unique, vital second act to his career. He was also launching the careers of several soon-to-be country music stars.

The 1971 lineup of the Clinch Mountain Boys included veteran members Curly Ray Cline on fiddle and John Cooke (who'd returned from a stint with Bill Monroe) on bass, as well as several stellar new players. Carter's vocals were replaced by Roy Lee Centers (and surprisingly well, considering the original harmonies were crafted by brothers), and additional harmonies and picking were provided by future superstars Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs.

Both albums are based on the classic mountain soul of the Stanley Brothers, drawing on the experience of the veterans and the detailed knowledge (and energy) of the newcomers. The first, "Michigan Bluegrass," is titled for the location of the recording rather than anything to do with the music itself. Stanley's twelve original titles include numerous tales of film noir like fatalism, rendered in close harmony with achingly beautiful (and just plain aching) bent, blue notes. "Rock Bottom," "Another Song, Another Drink," "River Underground" and others tell tales of men controlled by love - often love gone very, very wrong.

The opener, "Are You Proud of America," was likely inspired by the societal tensions of the Vietnam era, but the questions it asks run deeper than mere jingoism, and still merit consideration. Removed from their original context, they read more as philosophy than civic pugilism. The similarly inspired "Let's Keep Old Glory Waving," with its simpler message of national pride, also finds a more positive tone in the post-war period. The instrumental "Hulla Gull" gives the band a chance to show off their ensemble string work.

The second LP, "Sing Gospel Echoes of the Stanley Brothers," draws all twelve of its faith-based titles from the public domain. The hopefulness and redemption that permeate these tracks are a perfect counterbalance to the dire circumstances charted on "Michigan Bluegrass." Recorded only six weeks later, the songs of belief and the freedom of afterlife form an answer to the hopelessness and fatality of the first LP. The combination of the two albums creates a cohesive work of immense thought and strength.

Given how tightly traditional bluegrass has held to its roots, the music on these thirty-year old albums seems not to have aged a day. Stanley's singing and banjo picking is as effective as ever, and the playing of the veterans and young hot-shots gels into a superb band. These two albums, available for the first time on CD, make an excellent addition to any bluegrass fan's library.

Lifted - Songs of the Spirit
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Lifted - Songs of the Spirit
Thelonious Monk Septet , Alison Krauss & the Cox Family , The Chambers Brothers , Norah Jones , Jim Lauderdale , Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys , The Blind Boys of Alabama , Rufus Wainwright , The Fairfield Four , and Word of Mouth Chorus
Manufacturer: Sony/Hear
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FMJRR0

Product Description

Lifted - Songs of the Spirit // 1. Abide With Me - Thelonious Monk Septet 2. In The Palm Of Your Hand- Alison Krauss & the Cox Family 3. People Get Ready - The Chambers Brothers 4. The Long Day Is Over - Norah Jones 5. Listen to the Shepherd - Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys 6. Freedom Road - The Blind Boys of Alabama 7. Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright 8. Roll Jordan Roll - The Fairfield Four 9. Weeping Mary - Word of Mouth Chorus 10. Strength, Power & Love - The Soul Stirrers 11. Amazing Grace- The Swan Silvertones 12. Orphan Girl - Gillian Welch 13. None Of Us Are Free - Solomon Burke 14. Didn't It Rain - Mahalia Jackson 15. Joy to the World - Pastor Patrinell Wright with The Total Experience Gospel Choir

Average customer rating:

Generous anthology of prime gospel bluegrass

The Essential Gospel Masters
The Stanley Brothers , and The Clinch Mountain Boys
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Foggy Mountain Gospel
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Soldier Of The Cross

ASIN: B000A2H8P8
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

How Can We Thank Him For What He Has Done
White Dove
My Lords Gonna Set Me Free
Ill Meet You In Church Sunday Morning
He Said If I Be Lifted Up
Wings Of Angels
Are You Afraid To Die
Old Daniel Prayed
This Wicked Path Of Sin
Mothers Footsteps Guide Me On
When Jesus Beckons Me Home
Purple Robe
Ill Not Be A Stranger
Mother Left Me Her Bible
Rock Of Ages
I Saw The Light
What A Friend
Im Ready To Go

Album Description

The Stanley Brothers rank as one of the all-time greats of Bluegrass. Next to Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers occupy a special place as one of the most important groups in the history of the genre.
This collection is the first major overview of these classic Gospel recordings.

Customer Reviews:

Generous anthology of prime gospel bluegrass.......2005-08-16

Within bluegrass circles the Stanley Brothers have always been hailed as one of the genres leading and most unique proponents. Brother Carter is thought by many (including Bill Monroe) to have possessed the single greatest lead voice in the genre, and brother acts that followed (most notably The Louvins and Everlys), found Carter and Ralph's harmonies to be a nearly unreachable standard. In more recent years, with Bill Monroe having shuffled off this mortal coil and the popular phenomenon of "O Brother Where Art Thou," those outside the festival circuit have been drawn to Ralph Stanley as bluegrass elder statesmen, and with a little discovery the unparalleled brilliance, creativity and raw execution of the Stanley Brother's deep catalog of recordings.

This latest anthology cherry-picks 18 selections from a trio of gospel albums that the Stanleys waxed for King and Starday in '59 and '60: "Hymns & Sacred Songs" "For the Good People" and "Sacred Songs from the Hills." By 1959 the duo had been through three other labels (Rich-R-Tone, Columbia and Mercury) and was settling in for a fairly long stay at King. As they transformed their mountain string music into bluegrass throughout the '50s, they'd scattered songs of faith throughout their catalog, but upon landing at King they laid out full albums of sanctified material by William York, Bill Monroe, The Louvin Brothers, and the Stanleys themselves. The Clinch Mountain Boys lineups heard here includes the legendary Chubby Anthony, George Shuffler, and Curly Lambert. The true-stereo source tapes are crisp and provide a broad soundstage for the band's quartet singing. Bill Dahl's liner notes are informative, setting out these recordings place within the Stanleys' career, and providing rich song detail.

The Stanley Brothers are well represented in the CD era, with discs and box sets devoted to the various phases (and labels) of their career. Their work for King and Starday has been regularly anthologized, but Varese's 18-track collection fits perfectly between King's single disc 12-track anthologies and reissues, and their hefty 4-disc set "Early Starday-King Years 1958-1961." The latter, which includes all of the sides presented here, is a great buy for Stanley aficionados and bluegrass buffs, but those just wanting just a generous helping of the Stanley's bluegrass faith should start here. Those wanting an overview of their secular work for Starday and King should check out Varese's 2004 release, "The Essential Masters." [Review by redtunictroll@hotmail.com]

Clinch Mountain Echoes: Songs In The Stanley Tradition

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grate!
The Great Ralph Stanley

Clinch Mountain Echoes: Songs In The Stanley Tradition
Ralph Stanley II , and John Rigsby
Manufacturer: Copper Creek
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000B3Z
Release Date: 1996-11-12

Tracks:

(Say) Won't You Be Mine
We'll Be Sweethearts In Heaven
Mother No Longer Awaits Me At Home
Daybreak In Dixie
The Lonesome River
Let Me Be Your Friend
How Mountain Girls Can Love
Medicine Springs
The Angels Are Singing In Heaven Tonight
Memories Of Mother
Poor White Folks
Little Glass Of Wine

Customer Reviews:

grate!.......2000-08-07

this albumn is definitly one of my favorites. ralph II and john rigsby play grate together! i especially like mr rigsbys high baritone along with ralph II;s vocals! such energy! and such wonderful songs in the stanley tradition for a new generation!! i would definitly get yourself a copy of this!

The Great Ralph Stanley.......2000-06-10

This is a MUST have for any Ralph Stanley fan.

Average customer rating:

"good, real and honest" bluegrass

Clinch Mountain Mystery
Larry Stephenson
Manufacturer: Pinecastle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bluegrass Storyteller
All American Bluegrass Girl
The Promised Land
Long List of Heartaches

ASIN: B0001MZ7M8
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

Dixieland for Me
Heart Never Knows
Clinch Mountain Mystery
Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
Cruzin' in Overdrive
Dirty Ole Alabama Mud
Someone's Gotta Cry
Those Gone and Left Me Blues
Pretty Blue Dress
Memory of You
I Can't Bear the Thought of Losing You
My Baby Back to Me

Customer Reviews:

"good, real and honest" bluegrass.......2004-04-18

Larry Stephenson has been with the reputable Pinecastle/Webco Record label now for fifteen years so "Clinch Mountain Mystery" is a bit of an anniversary celebration too. At track three, the title cut comes from the pens of Tom T. and Dixie Hall and tells the story of a man and woman who meet a gruesome fate. The Halls also contribute "The Pretty Blue Dress." A nice choice of material for the likes of Curtis McPeake, Bill Harrell, Wayne Raney, Randall Hylton, Don Bowman, Jimmy Wakely, and others is featured. Larry Stephenson's own "My Baby Back To Me" closes the project.

Besides Larry on mandolin and vocals, the band includes Aaron McDaris (banjo, vocals), Randy Barnes (bass, vocals), and Dustin Benson (harmony vocals on four cuts). Guest musicians include Bryan Sutton (guitar), Bobby Hicks (fiddle, six cuts), and Ronnie Stewart (fiddle, five cuts).

Larry Stephenson does a fine job on mandolin, but the instrumental standout on this album is clearly guitarist Bryan Sutton who is the man with drive. Hicks and Stewart are no slouches either, and McDaris' banjo is mighty proficient. The band's signature sound, of course, is built around Larry's high lead tenor, a voice featured on more than a two dozen albums. Besides the title track, Larry also arranges "Those Gone and Left Me Blues" for just solo vocals. Randy Barnes does a fine job singing lead on "I Can't Bear the Thought of Losing You."

The band offers a couple triple timed songs (A Heart Never Knows, The Pretty Blue Dress), and "Cruzin' in Overdrive" is a spirited instrumental. "Someone's Gotta Cry" demonstrates how to play a slow song with excellent precision and timing. I was impressed that the band can interpret high-stepping bluegrass with the same zing as it does with beautiful ballads and contemporary numbers. A minor suggestion might've been to also include a gospel number in this set.

Hailing originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Stephenson now lives in Nashville. He began playing mandolin at age five, and his father was an award-winning musician. Larry's first band (in high school) was "Larry Stephenson and New Grass." Over the years, he's worked with Cliff Waldron, Leon Morris, and Bill Harrell. In 1983, Larry joined The Bluegrass Cardinals, and in 1989 formed his own band. The year 1995 found him making his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, and 1996, brought him induction into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Each year, June 23rd is Larry Stephenson Day in Crewe, VA.

Tracks:

Train 45
Rose Conley
Joking Henry
Nobody's Darling
I've Always Been A Rambler
Short Life Of Trouble
Nine Pound Hammer
Handsome Molly
Shout Lula
He's Coming To Us Dead
A Dark Road Is Hard Road To Travel
On The Banks Of Old Tennessee

Customer Reviews:

Dr. Ralph pays homage to his old-time idols.......2002-08-15

Reaching into the past, as only he can, Stanley pays homage to the Virginian songwriting duo of Gilliam Grayson and Henry Whitter, who are best known for the song "Train 45," a longtime standard in the bluegrass canon. Although Grayson & Whitter performed together only briefly -- from 1927-'29 -- they had a big impact on the Stanley Brothers and other bluegrass pioneers such as Bill Monroe. This is a typically stark, haunting Stanley outing... but now we get a hint as to where this style comes from. Nice record, especially since legends rarely pay tribute to little-knowns, a nice gesture, as well as a cool glimpse into the history of the bluegrass sound.

Average customer rating:

Good and Different
Great old time Guitar CD!
Great old time Guitar CD!

Clinch Mountain Guitar
James Alan Shelton
Manufacturer: Freeland Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000GC0R
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Red Wing
Twilight Swamp
John Henry
Uncloudy Day
Cluck Old Hen
Wildwood Flower
Little Rosewood Casket
Sourwood Mountain
Weeping Willow
Coosy
Old Gospel Ship
Worried Man Blues
Old Time Pickin'

Customer Reviews:

Good and Different.......2003-12-01

This is a good cd. Being a guitar player myself, these tracks stand out from the usual lot of "speed-pickers" these days. This cd just proves the old saying is true, You don't have to be better, just be different. Be Yourself. And James Alan Shelton has done a good job at it. I have met James and he is a kind and gracious man (more than i can say for his boss!). Oh, and to the other reviewer who made light of James's songwriting skills on Twilight Swamp, James did not write that song. I perform Twilight Swamp quite frequently and it has been out years and years before James put out this version. I spoke with James about this particular song. Bill Napier, the greatest mandolin player of all time, wrote the song and done an excellent job at it. In addition to being THE GREATEST mandolin player, he was also a terrific banjo player, a fantastic bass singer and an EXTRAORDINARY guitar player. Rest In Peace Bill Napier, lets hope you get the credit you REALLY deserve.

Great old time Guitar CD!.......2002-07-23

This is one of James Alan Shelton's many solo CD's he's released in recent years, this was his first instrumental CD, and one of the best. It has some great old traditional tunes, including an old Carter Family tune, Old Gospel Ship. And James also shows his songwriting talents with Twilight Swamp. And another highlight of this CD is a special guest visit from Dr. Ralph Stanley himself on Old Time Pickin', a great old time clawhammer banjo style song. If you like tradional bluegrass instrumentals, and great crosspicking, this is the CD for you!

Great old time Guitar CD!.......2002-07-23

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