Ralph Stanley
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Ralph Stanley |
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Rebel-1499 • Ralph Stanley • Cry From The Cross |
Available now on CD is Ralph Stanley’s legendary Cry From The Cross album. Recorded in 1971, it was made only a few years after branching out on his own. The album marked several “firsts” for him. It was his first album for his new label, it was his first album with his new band, his first with a pair of now-celebrated Kentucky teenagers named Whitley & Skaggs, and his first to introduce a cappella material on record. His “new band” is considered by most Stanley aficionados to be his best. It included the golden-voiced Roy Lee Centers, an incredible singer who bore an uncanny likeness to the late Carter Stanley. Jack Cooke joined on bass and offered a variety of excellent vocal parts. And then there was Whitley & Skaggs, the youthful Kentucky duo that Ralph discovered at a concert. He was so impressed with their talent and dedication to his style that he invited them to be part of his band – their contributions to bluegrass and country are today well-known. Fiddler Curly Ray Cline remained as the only “old-timer” in the band. The group performed flawlessly. Some would rate this as Stanley’s best album ever. With a catalog of albums numbering in the hundreds, that’s a lofty claim – but it isn’t far from the truth. They sail through several Stanley re-makes and offer Stanley-ized versions of songs gleaned from bluegrass sources. Most effective are the chillingly beautiful a cappella renditions of songs that Ralph drew from his Primitive Baptist traditions. These include songs like “Sinner Man” and “Two Coats.” He leads them with his unmistakable mountain tenor while others join in with various harmony parts. An excellent reissue that includes several rare, previously us-used photos, to boot. |
Format |
Price |
Release Number |
|
Compact Disc |
$13.50 |
Reb-1499 |
1 |
Cry From The Cross |
2:48 |
2 |
You're Drifting On |
1:55 |
3 |
Will He Wait A Little Longer |
2:08 |
4 |
Bright Morning Star |
2:30 |
5 |
Death Is Only A Dream |
2:47 |
6 |
Come On Little Children |
1:33 |
7 |
Take Your Shoes Off Moses |
2:15 |
8 |
Stairway To Heaven |
2:35 |
9 |
I Am The Man Thomas |
1:57 |
10 |
Step Out In The Sunshine |
1:38 |
11 |
Sinner Man |
2:32 |
12 |
Two Coats |
2:40 |