Listening to Bluegrass or Country??!!??
Well to be honest, there are a few artists or groups I don't mind hearing but for the most part it's been pretty novel. That said I love the whole "Americana" sound of groups like The Eagles, but that's a far cry from the genuine article. I find The Stanley Brothers to be extremely upbeat both in tempo and mood - it's fun, toe tappin' music.
As musicians the skill is here in spades. Blistering picking of arpeggios overtop skillful rhythm, time and melody changes. They have my utmost respect as players, that's for sure. I have come across The Stanley Brothers' name at a few reissue sites while browsing, but this is my first real listen. It's easy to see why they were so influential in so many rock artists' sound. As it turned out, I hit a treasure trove of Bluegrass at a local thrift. I didn't recognize any artist names aside from this, but the record label's were enough to peak my curiosity. Rounder, Rebel, King, Starday and Stony Plain/Flying Fish are all respected and known for quality. Of course, I took the full gamble and for $10 I walked out with 19 LPs - not bad huh??!!?? The best part of it is that they are all NM!!! Wonderful transfer here... enjoy pah'd'nah.
From their modest beginnings in post-World War II America, the Stanley Brothers have voiced some of the most beautiful harmony lines in bluegrass music. They've written some of its greatest songs as well.LP > 24/44.1 wav > 16/44.1 FLAC
This album was recorded in 1959 by the influential King label out of Cincinnati. The 12 bluegrass songs featured here, including the rousing "How Mountain Girls Can Love," reflect not only the era of this fine recording, but also the two brothers' humble Shenandoah Valley roots. There are also a number of rollicking instrumentals, including "Clinch Mountain Backstep" and "Midnight Ramble," both of which showcase Ralph Stanley's peerless banjo picking. At their best, as they are here, the Stanleys are the finest duo in the history of bluegrass. - AMG
14 comments:
https://mega.co.nz/#!spQUUaJJ!QVd5uRWqilnvtl6_2hnEpii1kMQ2XpwpsjZjl8TO7VU
-OR-
http://www49.zippyshare.com/v/3538207/file.html
Now this is getting diverse, but still with you, here I go
Jackal we are hand in hand, both about to jump because I am no more experienced than you with this stuff. It seems that it's about time I get an understanding to this substantial piece of the puzzle. I was worried it would be really dated, or overbearingly corny but it's infact neither. It's easy to see how upon it's release, that era would eat it up - particularly the musicians.
Ralph Stanley is a giant and he and his brother exemplified the best in bluegrass and the sound of the hills and mountains of Appalachia. I wouldn't call the Eagles Americana as much as reflective of the laid-back California sound of Poco, Lind Ronstadt, and others. Now if we're talking Alison Krauss and Union Station or the recent albums Steve Earle, then, in my humble opinion, we're in business with respect to so-called Americana. As for the Stanleys, to me, they're singing Appalachian blues pure and simple and doing a mighty fine job of it at that. Thanks so much for posting this. If not on the Cult, there where else? After all, the Cult is nothing if not eclectic.
When writing about Americana, I forgot to mention Gillian Welch, Uncle Tupelo, and Levon Helm who are well worth listening to as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Chubby has posted the Holy Grail of King bluegrass, the Stanley Brothers' masterpiece, known among the faithful simply as King 615. If you do not like this, it is your own fault. You simply do not like real bluegrass. This is the stuff, as definitive in its genre as their King labelmate James Brown was on his Live At The Apollo. That both artists existed on the same planet at the same time is a miracle of mankind; that they recorded for the same label is a testament to what I argue was the single most diverse and influential indie label of all time. Cincinnati was a major music capital for three reasons - The Ohio River, the illegal Northern Kentucky casinos and Syd Nathan's King Records.
Thank you for spreading this music beyond the faithful.
Glad to see that everybody is enjoying this as much as I am. Rather than buy a bunch of expensives reissues, or a big box set - we will go through these records as I burn them. I can promise you that my rips will rival anything being sold on CD today.
Thanks Chubbs
Thought I'd give this a spin and ended up in favour - I'm a reluctant bluegrass/country fan but do have a soft spot in my collection for Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and a few others ... But I do like to hear relevant musical history like this and it looks like you landed a gem
Cheers
Although i don't know these guys, this one could be a corker! Thanks P.
I'm surprised to see so many serious music fans who are unaware of the Stanleys. Carter died in 1966, but his little brother Ralph is still going strong. He is the voice singing O Death during the Klan scene in the Coens' O Brother Where Art Thou? and he continues to tour, recreating the Stanley Brothers' sound as much as possible.
Larry, I have a couple other albums ripped, but I still need to edit them. The live album pictured in the top post, which is on Rebel, and "Banjo In The Hills" on Starday. The Starday album is instrumental and I think I like it more than the King album. I will share it next.
Ralph Stanley's voice never fails to raise the hair on my neck. Love Bluegrass and looking very much forward to what else you found in that dollar bin, poppa!
Big thanks for this!
I feel ashamed that this will be my maiden voyage with the Stanleys. To be honest I had students ask me what bluegrass realy is. So many bands seem to have bluegrass-roots according to critics. Now I will for sure find out and in future will play the Stanleys for everybody who wants to know about Bluegrass. Thnak you Popps!
it just doesn't get better....
thanks,
d
Post a Comment