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Marty Stuart - The Pilgrim

(MCA MCA-70057) 1999.

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This is a novel Country 'concept' album by Marty Stuart, with the songs being based on a true story of two guys in love with the same woman.

In addition to Marty and his Rock & Roll Cowboys, several guests stars are featured including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Earl Scruggs, Uncle Josh Graves and Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys...

Ralph appears on two tracks:- Harlan County, a 1:32 min murder ballad which features the full quota of Clinch Mountain Boys; and the brief (0:37) The Pilgrim (Act III) which is a solo vocal piece. A version of Shout Little Luly was also said to have been recorded at the session, but hasn't been released.^[1]

The Pilgrim was written by Marty Stuart on the day he heard the news of Bill Monroe's death, and recorded that night in the Sun studio in Memphis, where Elvis had also cut Bill's Blue Moon Of Kentucky. You can hear Marty talking about the song on the bonus material on the 'The Legend Lives On: A Tribute To Bill Monroe' 2xDVD.

Marty had previously helped Ralph on his Clinch Mountain Country album, dueting on She's More To Be Pitied. Ralph also later appeared on his TV show 'The Marty Stuart Show' (Episode 36) which first aired on 20th Feb 2010.^[2]

• Ralph Stanley: vocal, banjo
• Marty Stuart: vocal
• Jack Cooke: bass
• James Price: fiddle
• James Alan Shelton: guitar
• Steve Sparkman: banjo

^{[1] 'Bluegrass Unlimited' Jan 1999 in the 'General Store' section reported "Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys have recorded three songs with Marty Stuart for his upcoming concept project on MCA. The recording, tentatively titled "The Pilgrim" featured ralph and the Boys on "Harlan County", "The Pilgrim" and "SHout Little Lulie"..." (p.12)
[2] http://www.martystuart.com/mss-2-20-10.htm I think the show may still be available on the RFD TV Country Club, but I'm not definite: http://www.rfdcc.com/search/marty%20stuart}