Search - Stanley Brothers :: Earliest Recordings

Stanley Brothers
Earliest Recordings
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop

Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
1. Molly and Tenbrooks - The Stanley Brothers, Monroe, Bill [1]
2. The Rambler's Blues - The Stanley Brothers, Lambert, Pee Wee
3. Mother No Longer Awaits Me - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
4. The Girl Behind the Bar - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
5. Little Maggie - The Stanley Brothers, Christian, M.
6. The Little Glass of Wine - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
7. Our Darling's Gone - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
8. The Jealous Lover - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
9. I Can Tell You the Time - The Stanley Brothers, Pace, Adger M.
10. Little Birdie - The Stanley Brothers, Traditional
11. Little Glass of Wine [Alternate Version] - The Stanley Brothers, Stanley, Carter
12. Death Is Only a Dream - The Stanley Brothers, Buchanan, A.J
13. Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake - The Stanley Brothers, Monroe, Bill [1]
14. Are You Waiting Just for Me - The Stanley Brothers, Tubb, Ernest

CD Details

All Artists: Stanley Brothers
Title: Earliest Recordings
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Revenant Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/1947
Re-Release Date: 7/15/1997
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop
Styles: Bluegrass, Classic Country, Contemporary Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 630814020323

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

Earliest Recordings features 14 bluegrass tracks from the legendary Stanley Brothers, all released in the late '40s and early '50s for Rich-R-Tone records. It's a great document of the rich history of bluegrass. Ralph Stanley's banjo playing is shown in a period of transition, not quite the old-time twang-and-strum, not quite the Scruggs' style of fingerpicking. Two versions of "The Little Glass of Wine" are included, along with a few gospel-inspired tunes ("Death Is Only a Dream," "Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake"). The CD transfers aren't the best--surface noise from the 78s abounds--but hey, these are hillbilly recordings, raw and rough. --Jason Verlinde

CD Reviews

A terrific place to hear the genius as it sprouted.

09/01/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another fine unearthing from the Revenant stable - the perfect label to stand tall & show us how real American music was made before 1998. The Stanley Brothers have long been recognized as one of bluegrass' hall of fame acts, but these early 78s have barely been available since their release 40 years ago. The recordings serve as a mighty impressive "bridge" between true homespun old-time mountain music and the soon-popularized version of bluegrass that grew from great sessions like these. Recorded over five years in various radio studios (including on the "Farm And Fun Time" program), the Stanleys move delicately from smoothly-plucked duets through blinding backporch rave-ups, pausing at times to give the strong tenor of Ralph Stanley a workout on numbers like the golden "Little Maggie". In fact I'll take Ralph's stuff over many of the harmonizing duets, which at times border on the slightly saccharine. As the quartet coalesced around a tighter line-up, their ability to update their better numbers such as the terrific 1952 re-do of "Little Glass Of Wine" was showcased. The Stanley Brothers had a truly winning formula that they spread out over several of these songs - sometimes the exact same tune & cadence, just with different words. You'll find the gentlemen listed just about anywhere in a history of U.S. mountain sounds, and this deluxe package is as good a place as any to hear the legend as it sprouted."