The Stanley Brothers - Stanley Series, Vol. 1 No. 2

(Copper Creek CCSS-V1N2) Sept. 1982

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The second edition of the 'Stanley Series' captures a show from Sunday 15th May 1960 at the New River Ranch, Rising Sun, Md. The set was recorded by Lamar Grier^[1] and features a full band with Curley Lambert on mandolin, Ralph Mayo on fiddle and Lindy Clear on bass.

The previous evening, the band had played at Antioch College^[2], in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and had to travel roughly 500 miles overnight to make this gig! That probably meant a non-stop road trip, and very little rest, so it is suprising that the band put in a good performance and aren't half- asleep.

At the time of the show How Far To Little Rock had been in the Billboard 'Hot C&W' Chart^[3] for seven weeks, so it's not surprising that it get's an airing. Also at #2 in the same Chart was Hank Locklin's Please Help Me, I'm Falling, which is also sung by Curley Lambert.

Originally the album was released in a generic 'Stanley Style' sleeve with a booklet with background info, song lyrics and part 2 of the Lamar Grier interview (that started on Vol. 1 No. 1). Later copies, dispensed with the booklet and had the info printed on the sleeve.

Other material from this show appears on Live At The New River Ranch CD and The Legendary Stanley Brothers Recorded Live, Vol. 1. The Live At The New River Ranch album, has material from another set, but also duplicates most of side two starting with Man Of Constant Sorrow and ending with God Gave You To Me. Three additional tracks, He Will Set Your Fields On Fire, Knoxville Girl and Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms also appear on The Legendary Stanley Brothers Recorded Live, Vol. 1.

Sound quality of the recording is pretty good, although there is some wind noise on mics occasionally and a very slight tape hiss. There is also a drop out so the beginning of How Far To Little Rock is missing. It also sounds like the recording runs slightly fast, especially when comparing with the Live At The New River Ranch CD.

Thanks to Chris Wing for the original LP sleeve pictures.

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocal
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocal
• Lindy Clear: bass
• Curley Lambert: mandolin (*)
• Ralph Mayo: fiddle

NB: (*) Curley Lambert sings lead on Please Help Me, I'm Falling.

For more detailed breakdown and background to the show, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 107-108 and 147-149.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Lamar is a well known banjo player from the Washington area, perhaps best known for his work with Bill Monroe c1965-67.
[2] A selection from the Antioch College show can be found on The Legendary Stanley Brothers Recorded Live, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, the Live At Antioch College 1960 LP and an nth generation tape from the show:- http://frobbi.org/audio/hamilton/Stanleys-Antioch.html
[3] Billboard Chart 9th May 1960