Cry from the Cross

by Ralph Stanley

Overview

Originally released on LP in 1972, this was the first album Ralph Stanley recorded with what many still consider the best band he ever had, one that included not only lead singer Roy Lee Centers (whose vocal similarity to Stanley's late brother, Ralph, was positively eerie), fiddler Curly Ray Cline, and bassist Jack Cooke, but also the young mandolinist Ricky Skaggs and guitarist Keith Whitley. Stanley had discovered Skaggs and Whitley playing old-timey brother duets in a club and was so taken with them that he invited them to tour with him, thus creating one of bluegrass history's legendary lineups. The material on Cry From the Cross is rendered expertly, but without any slickness; Stanley's rough-edged tenor voice dominates, as always, and the instrumental backing tends to be minimal. "Bright Morning Star" and "Sinner Man" are both performed a cappella, and the gripping "Two Coats," which would go on to become a staple of the Stanley repertoire, is here given a sharp-edged modal delivery that perfectly complements the song's stern moral message. This album is clearly a must for Stanley fans and will also serve as a good introduction for newcomers. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/22/2001
Label:	Rebel
UPC:	0032511149923
Rank:	40104

Tracks

1. Cry from the Cross
2. You're Drifting On
3. Will He Wait a Little Longer
4. Bright Morning Star
5. Death Is Only a Dream
6. Come on Little Children
7. Take Your Shoes off Moses
8. Stairway to Heaven
9. I Am the Man, Thomas
10. Step Out in the Sunshine
11. Sinner Man
12. Two Coats

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ralph Stanley   Primary Artist,Banjo,Tenor (Vocal)
Clinch Mountain Boys   Primary Artist
Ricky Skaggs   Guest Artist,Fiddle,Mandolin
Keith Whitley   Guest Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Jack Cooke   Bass,Vocals,Clapping
Cliff Waldron   Clapping
Curley Ray Cline   Fiddle
Ed Ferris   Bass
Roy Lee Centers   Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Charles R. Freeland   Producer
J.D. Jarvis   Composer
Carter Stanley   Composer
Johnnie Masters   Composer
Lizzie De Armond   Composer
Mark Freeman   Production Coordination
Ronnie Bucke   Photography
Roy Homer   Engineer
Ralph Stanley   Composer
Gary B. Reid   Liner Notes
David Glasser   Mastering
Bill Grant   Composer
Ralph & Carter Stanley   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Clinch Mountain Boys   Performer