|
Few names in the bluegrass circles are more
respected (if any) than Ralph and Carter Stanley.
Hailing from Virginia, banjo playing Ralf and guitar
playing Carter grew up absorbing the music of the
Carter Family and other traditional mountain and
old-timey music. After a brief spell with Roy Sykes'
Blue Ridge Mountain Boys in 1946 Ralph and Carter
formed their own band The Stanley Brothers and the
Clinch Mountain Boys. Unleashing the Farm and Fun Time
Show on WCYB radio in Bristol Tennessee, they blended
various styles of old-timey music with bluegrass that
was being popularised by Bill Monroe at that time.
With Carter singing lead to Ralf's tenor harmony they
were a great success and within a short couple of
years had become one of the most renowned bluegrass
bands, much in demand for concert appearances.
During their career Carter and Ralph Stanley have recorded
a wealth of music that has now become classic bluegrass standards
most of which was self-penned. The vast wealth of songs that
the Stanley Brother recorded was between 1958 and 1965 when
they were signed to King Records and over a seven-year period
the filled 14 albums. 16 of those tracks filling  this
album have been re-mastered, giving excellent sound quality
production that never sounded better.
Their singing is filled with evident conviction
and emotional simplicity. Just a few of the numbers to
be found on The Stanley Brothers
16 Greatest Hits include, "How
Mountain Girls Can Love", "I
Don't Want Your Rambling Letters", "Don't
Cheat In Your Hometown", "Little
Maggie", "Mountain
Dew", "Love Me
Darling Just Tonight", "Sunny
Side Of The Mountain", "Old
Love Letters" and so many more great
songs.
Not long after The Stanleys recorded their last
album on King in 1965 Carter's health declined
rapidly. Carter Stanley passed away on 1 December 1966
leaving his brother Ralph undecided as to his own
future in music. Ralph Stanley re-formed the Clinch
Mountain Boys, continuing to perform and in 1970
started the annual Bluegrass Festival named after his
brother.
Now in his late 70's Ralph Stanley still draws
the crowds as we have seen with his appearances in the
U.K. over the past few years and the Grammy that
Stanley received for "Oh Death" featured on
the soundtrack of the highly popular movie O Brother
Where Art Thou. Don't miss The
Stanley Brothers 16 Greatest Hits...a vintage
collection of stunning perfection!!!
|
