Dr. Ralph Stanley - Stone Walls and Steel Bars

[buchananstreet]

its grotesque, its laughable, its absurd, its totally daft what one reads about southerners often here. there can hardly be any more sensitive, warmhearted, poetic, gifted, humourous people. they seem to be so much more intelligent and cultivated thatn them ignorants up north. when they call these wonderful folks down south rednecks I can only laugh about these northern barbarians ! stay home in your boring new york or your awful detroit, then. no one obliges you to go south.

[buchananstreet]

an unique anthem. singular in american music and any other, too. who wrote it ? its eternal! god bless the composer.

[bradford71us]

in 3 hours ill be seeing Ralph live in concert.....YAY.

[1938Silvertone]

Now, this is music!

[classiccntry]

There are no people that are more hospitable and genuine than Southerners. Ralph Stanley has been and will be a symbol of the greats. The list of entertainers, actors, singers, songwriters, politicians, pioneers, and so forth from Southern states is quite huge. I will never disown Kentucky like Billy Ray Cyrus did. Jeff Foxworthy on 107. 5 in Flaggstaff was interviewing Cyrus and asked him how he liked Nashville. Billy Ray said I quote" That's my home, That's where I'm from. BS! Flat Woods, Ky

[Banjomountain]

When I hear this song(in this video) I get chills up my spine because I also hear Carter's voice singing along. RIP Carter Stanely.

[Lostmychops]

I love this song! It's shame that Dr. Stanley doesn't seem to play banjo much these days, but I guess he doesn't need to... he's got nothing to prove to anyone. Ralph's always been my favourite bluegrass banjo picker. He's not the most technically accomplished, perhaps, but I would rather listen to him than scruggs any day of the week... There is such a thing as too many notes!

[docsavage98]

Arthritis has pretty much robbed him of 3 finger style..but he still plays a little clawhammer on his shows...particularly "Shout Little Lulie", one of the first songs his mother taught him as a kid...apparently Mrs. Stanley was a raging banjo player at barn dances in her early days....Ralph even learned to play fiddle in his adult years so he could accompany her on the banjo and got her to play some local reunions, dances etc when she got up in years...he's a good son :)

[Rcksaltnnails]

OMG, I thought I was the only one who thought that about Earl. Dont get me wrong, I love to hear Earl pick, but I sure want it to be on a guitar, not a banjo. Earl + guitar picking = amazing.

[bulbheadmyass]

Totally melted. This is just an awesome performance. Thanks for the radio stations too.

[deelberg]

Ralph stanley is a legend and growing up i learned to play a guitar identically to Carter Stanley

[banjergirl765]

You guys are full of shit! Ralph has been playing for years and has paved the way for alot of people. He can call himself what ever he wants, He has earned it! It has nothing to do with being a hillbilly or a redneck! he was awarded the degree! Go listen to nickel creek or some garbage like that!!

[Snooch1971]

Uhhhh...NO. He didn't do anything to EARN that degree, it was GIVEN to him. Better be careful. If Ralph farts it might break your neck!

[MrGrass76]

ralph is the man dont forget that he dont have to look to anyone

[Snooch1971]

Bob Hope had between 50 and 60 honorary Doctorate degrees, but he never called himself DOCTOR Bob Hope. This guy gets ONE and refers to himself as a Doctor. Arrogant douche.

[TruegrassBoy]

I think you have to consider that Ralph came from a poor family while Hope had a silver spoon in his mouth. Universities also gave Hope a lot of degrees because they hoped to profit from his big Hollywood fame while Ralph was just considered a worthless Hillbilly. You never met Ralph. I know, because arrogant is the last thing he is. What you say only shows the continuing bigotry shown toward white southern mountain folk.

[Snooch1971]

Shows what YOU know. I'm from Clintwood. How he was raised has nothing at all to do with anything. Some of you people from back home have your heads so far up his ass you couldn't pull it out with a tractor. He's not arrogant huh? Then why does he sign his CDs with "Doctor" Ralph Stanley?

[hookdonbluegrass]

His name is Kenneth Davis not Danny whom is one of the best bluegrass singers to ever come out of Tennessee/Virginia Regular at the Carter Fold.  Kenneth has one of the purest high lonesome sounds ever!!!!!!

[electrikhorseman]

Kenneth Davis...Thanks! That's about the best voice I've heard. I need to find some more of his music....

[hookdonbluegrass]

Google Scott county boys and the Carter Fold he also has another you tube performance from Austin city limits while singing with Ralph on here as well

[hookdonbluegrass]

you tube clawhammer  ralph stanley

[electrikhorseman]

Any more youtube videos with Danny singing?

[jaker2880]

awesome music a real artist, stanley is a true legend

[bigdaddybluegrass]

Awesome and thensome. Love the harmonies! Check out videos of The Johnson Mtn Boys, too - and also The Out Of Town Boys.

[15perkins15]

xD too fun !!

shut the fuck up! like being controlled? :) yV

[runningfox9]

none better than ralph mike

[camisgod80]

One of the best in bluegrass since Carter and Keith!!! We need to here more of ya!! Absolutely love it!! Post (on line please) I've got a mule to ride,,,,your awesome!!!

[kisskissmary]

Dr. Ralph is incredible. I love this stuff. Bob Dylan did a nice concert version of this song, you got that "trudging" feeling from the music as the poor soul walked his last mile. I play it at least 5 times in a row before I'm finished. :-))

[mattd020481]

Dylan has been doing a lot of Stanely Brother coevers during his acustic sets ie I am the man thomas, pretty poll

[kisskissmary]

yeah, he does. He also recorded Lonesome River with Dr. Ralph and he's done "This World can't Stand Long," "Rank Stranger" among others. Those years, late 90's to about 2003 were great for the acoustic stuff.

[cornforkpicker334]

thats danny davis on lead guitar and lead vocals

[tntinavolfan]

@cornforkpicker334 Kenneth Davis, not Danny

[UnclePutin]

classic grass...sweeeet!

[1kyredneck1]

who is that singing lead fer ralph on this un...he's a dandeee...

[camisgod80]

Dont get no better!! I'd love to hear more!!

[tradgrass]

YES!

[shawnintennessee]

Stone Walls and Steel Bars running my life,

I'm a 3 time loser on this life.

[bluegrassrulz]

are these your interpretive lyrics?

[BanjoBoyMatteo]

When was it recorded??

[camisgod80]

Look up the performance in I think 1971 in Kentucky, you'll love it! Renfro Profitt pickin lead guitar, mm,,dont get much better!!

[bushwacker2008]

Live at Norton Va.

dont get much better than this.

[camisgod80]

This gut takes bake seat to noone!! He needs to be performing!! He's the bomb!!

[rmstudio]

Man I love this stuff since I was a little boy... One of my favorite songs along with pretty polly... You all are so so lucky you get to see them. I am in california and dont get to see greats like Ralph or Earl or Lester.

[bluegrassrulz]

ya...it would be pretty creepy to see Lester nowadays

[extremeicon3]

love this shit

[bluegrassgirl]

greatness

[2ndgeneration]

This is it boys!!

[bulbheadmyass]

Oh lord, what a wonderful performance this is. Thank you much for posting this.

[1kyredneck1]

hey bulbhead i see we agree on this un, are we friends or enemies, i forgot what we are/were feuding about..lets either make up, or keep a feudin let me know..regards....

[zangfred]

who is the singer? he's tremendous