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Charlie Sizemore - Congratulations

(Acoustic Revival AR-33011) 1985

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Charlie's debut solo album was recorded 26-27th Feb 1985 at Maggard Sound Studio, Big Stone Gap Va., about eighteen months or so before he left the CMB's and put his own band together / started his University Law studies.

Ralph and Curly Ray Cline both guest on four tracks and many of the others were originally cut by The Stanley Brothers or Ralph.

Two of the songs were written by Charlie: Melody Of Love which Ralph had recorded on his The Memory Of Your Smile LP in '81; and There's Nothing Between Us, a lovely melancholic tale of a failed relationship.

Another highlight is John B. Preston's Congratulations, which is full of self-pity as the proponent congratulates the happy couple for stealing his gal. Ralph recorded several songs by John B. Preston, including I've Just Seen The Rock Of Ages, but Charlie's version of Congratulations is the only one I know of.^[1] Charlie also later featured the song on his final Rutabaga LP I've Got A Good Memory.

The sound on the album is obviously differnet to the CMB's, but it follows the 'stanley' doctrine of sticking to the melody and despite the use of light drums is pretty pleasant listening. Charlie Sizemore's vocal work is impeccable throughout and on half of the tracks, his wife at the time Robin Tackett adds harmony vocals.

The LP was later reissued as Call Of The Honky Tonk (Rutabaga RR-3014) 1989, with a new sleeve and the track order resequenced.

One of Charlie's songs from the album, There's Nothing Between Us, was also picked up by Dry Branch Fire Squad who recorded it on their 'Fertile Ground' album (Rounder 0258) 1989.

• Charlie Sizemore: guitar, lead vocals
• Curly Ray Cline: fiddle (a)
• Stuart Duncan: mandolin / fiddle
• Guy Evans: banjo
• John Evans: drums
• Glen Gibson: dobro (b)
• David Skeens: bass
• Ralph Stanley: harmony vocals (a)
• Robin Tackett-Sizemore: harmony vocals (c)

_{NB: (a) Ralph and Curly appear on Wild Side Of Life, I Can See Through You, Long Gone and A Little At A Time. (b) Glen plays on all tracks except those featuring Ralph and Curly. (c) Robin sings on String, Eraser And Blotter, Call Of The Honky Tonk, Melody Of Love, Standing Room Only, Mountain High, Valley Low and There's Nothing Between Us.}

PS: If anyone has better images of the labels for this one, please get in touch via the Contact page - thanks!

^{[1] For more on John B. Preston see the Lonesome And Blue entry.}