Search - Ralph Stanley :: I'll Answer the Call

Impressive mix!

Michael R. Nothstine | Wilmore, Ky | 11/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is no doubt that some of Ralph Stanley's best work is when he reaches deep down inside the bluegrass-gospel well and creates something far outside of anything close to modern sounding. This album is definitely a gem. The album starts off with a bang with an up-tempo prize entitled "I'll answer the Call." He also reaches back into the Stanley Brothers chest with a song the modern church guy or gal would find amusing, "Let the Church Roll On." What begins to unfold from this album after listening it to a few times is just how archaic, haunting, and primitive this music really is today. Amazing! Sammy Adkins does an impressive job singing lead on this album. He definitely has a uniqueness to his voice, rather smooth and he cuts through the music well with timing and delivery. It's definitely a mountain sound! When I first purchased this album I knew it was really good, but I wasn't quite sure why. And then I realized Adkins does such a good job at singing the lead. I also love the haunting acapella quartet of "Calling my Children Home." Sammy Adkins singing lead on "Everything's Alright" is real polished and catchy as well. I just really love the whole album, it clearly deals confrontationally with death, not unlike any of Stanley's past work, but unlike society today. This album is just really impressive! And of course as always Stanley does amazing when he sings tenor or lead. I'll Answer the Call is a big time soul-stirring hit!"

Where's Ralph?

Michael R. Nothstine | 05/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So I have to say I was a little disappointed when I bought this album. Ralph doesn't even sing lead on half the songs. But there is some great gospel acapella stuff and I do have to say that this album keeps getting better the more I listen to it. Dont expect anything flashy here, this album does not try to push the grass envelope. But it doesn't need to. If your looking to add to your collection (I wouldnt recommend it for a novice listener) some good, old fahioned, straight up, gritty-but still tight, bluegrass the way its meant to be, check it out."