Mountain Preacher's Child

by Ralph Stanley

Overview

Ralph Stanley, both with his brother Carter in the Stanley Brothers and as a solo artist, is perhaps the most respected surviving member of bluegrass' first generation of performers. Indeed, he has few peers within bluegrass, and his latest revival as a member of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? cast is just a reminder of a long string of fine recordings that date back to the 1940s. Mountain Preacher's Child collects material recorded with the Clinch Mountain Boys between 1979 and 1985 (with one exception), and as the title reveals, centers on religious material. The other focal point for this collection is Stanley's band, which featured singer Charlie Sizemore, lead guitarist Junior Blankenship, fiddler Curley Ray Cline, and bassist Jack Cooke during these years. Stanley and Sizemore's vocals create a lovely blend on cuts like "Troublesome Waters," and Cooke adds a third voice to the vocal blend on selections like "The God That Never Fails." The odd-song out on Mountain Preacher's Child is a 1975 recording of "Looking for a Stone" with lead singer Keith Whitley. At around 36 minutes, Mountain Preacher's Child is short, but it nonetheless serves as a solid introduction to a great band at the top of its game. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/03/2007
Label:	Rebel
UPC:	0032511751720
Rank:	69862

Tracks

1. The Keys to the Kingdom
2. Troublesome Waters
3. Walking Up This Hill on Decoration Day
4. Mountain Preacher's Child
5. The Man in the Middle
6. Just Over the Stars
7. I'll Wear a White Robe
8. The God That Never Fails
9. The Little Old Church by the Road
10. Snow Covered Mound
11. Oak Grove Church
12. I'm in a New World
13. Go Down Moses
14. Looking for the Stone

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ralph Stanley   Primary Artist,Banjo,Vocals,Tenor (Vocal)
Junior Blankenship   Guitar,Mandolin
Keith Whitley   Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)
Jack Cooke   Bass,Tenor (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal)
Curley Ray Cline   Fiddle
Charlie Sizemore   Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Baritone (Vocal)

Technical Credits

Thomas Campbell   Composer
David Glasser   Mastering
David Freeman   Compilation Producer
Richard Boyd   Photography
Jon Hartley Fox   Liner Notes
Jim McGuire   Cover Photo
Ernest Rippetoe   Composer
Ralph Stanley   Arranger
Don Reno   Composer
Mark Freeman   Production Coordination