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Ralph Stanley - I'll Answer The Call

(Rebel REB 1657) 1988

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This Gospel album was recorded on 15th Jan 1988 at Maggard Sound Studio, Big Stone Gap, Va.

It is a pretty decent album, with some fine vocals by Sammy Adkins and strong material like White Oak On The Hill, and I'll Answer The Call.

As with most of Ralph's Gospel releases there are two a cappella numbers:- Calling My Children Home and We Shall Sleep.

Daddy's Rose, one of the albums' highlights, was written by Earl Sykes. On Ralph's next release Like Father, Like Son Earl also contributed Two Flowers Blooming, Breaks Of The Cumberland and Dirty Black Coal. Ralph later recorded several more songs of his in 2000 on the While The Ages Roll On album (Dad's Old Rocky Field, Daddy's Wildwood Flower, Because He Loved Me and A Robin Built A Nest On Dady's Grave). He seemed to have a fixation with his father's grave... He'd previously played guitar with Roy McGinnis & The Sunnysiders.

Praying by Hazel Houser, had earlier been recorded by The Louvin Brothers. She was a songwriter from California and also wrote My Baby's Gone and Wait A Little Longer, Please Jesus.

Everything's Alright by Emma Smith had previously been recorded by Larry Sparks in 1986. Judging by the BMI credits she is a prolific songwriter. Ralph later recorded her song Give Me Jesus on Back To The Cross.

The album was reissued on CD in 2001, with liner notes by 'Traveling The High Way Home' author John Wright. He was present during the recording sessions, and the liner notes eloquently recall the proceedings.

• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Sammy Adkins: guitar, vocals
• Junior Blankenship: lead guitar
• Curly Ray Cline: fiddle
• Jack Cooke: bass