Search - Ralph Stanley :: Shine on

Shining Bright

Michael R. Nothstine | Wilmore, Ky | 10/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ralph Stanley and his powerful and inspiring band do a great job as always with "Shine On." One of the strong aspects of this album is the versatility of the arrangement styles and harmony styles. I love the old time gospel style of four part harmonies which are showcased well with "Sing Songs about Jesus", and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Also of course I love the featuring of different lead singers that is always a strong focus of bluegrass music. Ralph II does and excellent job with "My Main Trial is Yet to Come." Ralph II is one, if not the best lead singers in bluegrass music today. He is just as good as the best that Ralph has had over the years.



I have seen this band several times live and I must admit Ralph needs to feature John Rigsby more on lead in albums because of his unique sound. Rigsby is an excellent versatile musician who can just about play and sing anything. His lead singing on "The Lowest Valley" is really beautiful and breathtaking. Of course the song like the rest of the album has a powerful transforming message.



Ralph Stanley is of course an enchanting and brilliant artist. Nobody can copy his unique sound and eerie vocals. He is definitely a prophet in the musical sense. Other great songs featured on this album is the upbeat inspirational classic "This Little Light of Mine," Dolly Parton's well written "Shine On," and "Palms of Victory." I like the thematic emphasis of the light of Christ as well in this album. What's so amazing is Ralph has even better albums than this one. He definitely knows how to deliver the message of salvation and the love of our Lord in a simple and soul-stirring manner. Simply great songs from the master of artists."

"Shine On" lifts us up & aligns our hearts with God

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 40:04 -- After listening to a number of new acoustic and country releases, I always come back to queue up and appreciate some good old-time mountain music. Ralph Stanley's `Shine On" is a bluegrass gospel album that makes us not only treasure musical roots but also to revel in the glory of God. Of course, Ralph Stanley likes to sing gospel. He believes in it, and a lot of others do too. Ralph once said, "We were raised in the churches. We were raised to sing gospel and respect gospel music. I'm not necessarily trying to convert people with it, but it would tickle me if I knew I did. And which, I have got letters and so forth from people that said it had, you know, and I feel good that they do."



Singing and playing in a lonesome style full of feeling, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (John Rigsby, Ralph Stanley II, Steve Sparkman, James Alan Shelton, Jack Cooke) choose material from the traditional canon as well as from contemporary songwriters like Dolly Parton who penned the title cut. Nathan Stanley picks the mandolin on two cuts, Albert Brumley's "I'll Fly Away" and Bill Crawford's "King of All Kings." The elder Stanley sings "The Old Church Yard" solo without any accompaniment. The Clinch Mountain Boys' a cappella quartet is featured on "Sing Songs About Jesus," while "Why Should We Start and Fear to Die" has John Rigsby along with Junior, Marsha and Amber Davis singing harmonies to Ralph's lead vocal. An a cappella trio with hand claps on the chorus is the rendition chosen for "Swing Low, Swing Chariot," a song that Ralph sung at Bill Monroe's funeral. The song, "On a High, High Mountain" is given a lean arrangement of only Rigsby's fiddles to Ralph's recitation. Only guitar and bass accompany Pearlie Mullin's "The Lowest Valley," lead vocals sung by John Rigsby on the verses.



Many of the songs on "Shine On" have happy, upbeat and joyous themes. This gospel recording has been long awaited. On February 25, 2007, Ralph Stanley will be 80 years old. Although his voice is a bit gravelly or husky in spots on this album, some of that rustic character actually enhances his charm. There is no better message than the message of Jesus Christ. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys thank God for His guidance. The music on "Shine On" lifts us up, aligns our hearts with God, and will lead others to Him. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Bluegrass gospel

John R. Diehl | 08/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an outstanding project by one of the few remaining pioneers in American music. This is a must for any bluegrass fan or traditional gospel music fan."