Ralph Stanley - The Lonesome River

There may well be debate over which Ralph Stanley album is his best (he claims to have recorded well over 100 albums), but most of his fans will surely agree that his strongest period after brother Carter's death was the early 1970s, when his band included 3 of the finest artists that ever graced his band: Roy Lee Centers, Keith Whitley, and Ricky Skaggs. It's hard to believe he cut 8 albums between Feb. 1971 and March 1973, and there's not a weak cut to be heard here (the 8 LPs, all of them found on this set, included his lone album for King Bluegrass & a very rare Japan-only LP entitled JOHN HENRY). There's wonderful, soulful singing by Centers, powerful duets, and the great gospel material from the CRY FROM THE CROSS-LP—Stanley's first for Rebel and still one of the finest Bluegrass gospel records ever cut. Every phase of Ralph's work is well represented here—his old-time frailing songs, his solo ballads, classic Bluegrass duets & trios, a cappella gospel songs and more. A booklet with full discographical data & photos is included in this power-packed 4-CD boxed set with 96 songs & tunes. LITTLE BIRDIE, PRETTY POLLY, FLOOD OF '57, POISON LOVE, THESE MEN OF GOD, WHO WILL SING FOR ME, HARD TIMES, BOUND TO RIDE, A LITTLE BOY CALLED JOE, TRAIN 45, etc.

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[PatsyMe]

Why can't we get the version of this song with Stanley and Bob Dylan singing it? I got it on the annual music issue cd some years ago from The Oxford American magazine.

This version is good, but Dylan made it great. If you haven't heard it and you're a fan of either musician, you should try to get it from The OA, or maybe you'd get lucky and find it on Ebay or somewhere. It puts this version to shame, as good as this one is.

[TomsRoadVideo]

i think John Duffey's super powerful tenor vocal and mandolin licks really makes this song....I recall him playing it for me when I was over at his house one Thursday night before going to the Red Fox in Bethesda to play the weekly gig......

[chuckyfromky]

This is part of what I posted on my Facebook profile with this song - for which I thank you:

"This cut exemplifies greatness . . . Roy Lee Centers (only in his twenties yet the personification of pure, world-weary, raw, unadulterated, uninhibited emotion) . . . " I get a kick out of how Ralph (who is singing between John and Roy) says "and" in the choruses. That is Stanleyfied. This was recorded live to two track. No overdubs - not even a mix. You had to be able to sing in those days.

[ZOEBOHEMIAN1]

Much respect my steel player. ;D xxoo

[SteelguitarLane]

@kohaylan, Duffey, Waller and Gray caught the Stanley bug when they were teens!! Probably Eddie as well; name another banjo picker other than Eddie and Ralph that were known for playing arch tops. Early Gentlemen cuts include Little Glass of Wine, Fields Have Turned Brown and Victim to the Tomb (proud to be Tom's son)

[mysteryjesus]

This is excellent!

[kohaylan]

Fabulous recording - John Duffey seems to have caught the Stanley bug ! _ Great !!

[tanner28624]

I love this!