Search - Ralph Stanley :: Clinch Mountain Country

As Good As Bluegrass Gets

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the "O Brother" phenomenon struck, I had already been a fan of bluegrass music since the late Sixties. I bought vinyl copies of albums by Bill Monore, Flatt & Scruggs and, of course, The Stanley Brothers. However, it hasn't been until the last couple years that I sought out Ralph Stanley's post-seventies work. And with his inclusion on the "O Brother" soundtrack, there are many titles to choose from. This two-disc set is a no-brainer. It contains 36 tracks and nearly two hours of solid singing and picking.Guest vocalists run the gamut of bluegrass artists (Tim O'Brien, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss), country artists who got their start in bluegrass (Marty Stuart, Vince Gill), old-school country (George Jones, Porter Wagoner), alt-country (Gillian Welch) and artists like Bob Dylan, who defy categorization.From beginning to end, this is a glorious album. Each song is recorded with such passion that you don't want it to end. I'm encouraged that bluegrass has been enjoying a rebirth in popularity in recent years, and if projects like this are a consequence, then I say hallelujah! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Bluegrass Legend Stanley at his best!

David Weekley | West Union, WV USA | 03/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two CD set is great for new and old bluegrass fans alike. 36 songs combine the best of bluegrass and country music with Dr. Ralph Stanley's high tenor harmonies to create an unforgettable CD set that is well worth the price.For those of you from the country scene new to bluegrass, you'll hear many voices you recognize from the country radio scene including Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, George Jones and Kathy Mattea just to name a few.You'll also get to hear many of today's bluegrass greats including Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krause and Gillian Welch.Although all tracks are excellent, some of the standouts are his rendition of "Pretty Polly" with Patty Loveless, "Thy Burdens are
greater than mine" and "Lonesome Banjo Man" with his son, "Bright Morning Star" with Kathy Mattea and "The Lonesome River" with Bob Dylan."

Traditional Meets Contemporary

A. Wolverton | Crofton, MD United States | 01/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hal Ketcham is quoted in the liner notes of 'Clinch Mountain Country' saying, "Singing with Ralph Stanley is like painting with Picasso." Stanley is indeed the master of what he himself calls Mountain Music (not to be confused with the gosh-awful song by Alabama). In 1997, Stanley decided to make a recording with some of his favorite musicians. Before he knew it, Stanley was fielding calls from a flood of musicians wanting to join in. Here are just a few who were lucky enough to be included on the disc with Stanley:
Dwight Yokam
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill
Patty Loveless
George Jones
Gillian Welch
Bob DylanAnd that's just on Disc One!If you've never heard of Ralph Stanley, if you were on Jupiter when 'O Brother Where Art Thou' came out last year, spend the money and hear the magic of Ralph Stanley. Disc One 51:07
Disc Two 52:42"