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Ralph Stanley - Classic Bluegrass

(Rebel REB-CD-1109) 1990

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This 51:40 minute, 20 track compilation was Ralph's first release on CD and, although there have been improvements in the CD mastering process since 1990, this compilation still stands up.

In 1986/87 Rebel had dipped their toe in the water with a couple of Seldom Scene / Country Gents CD releases. They then began to issue a series of 'Classic Bluegrass' compilations that spanned 1989 - 1994 with releases by Jim Eanes, Dave Evans, Bill Harrell, Lost And Found, Del McCoury, McPeak Brothers, Larry Sparks and Ralph.

It seems slightly crazy now, but back then the market for CD's was an unknown quantity. Discs were more expensive than vinyl and a lot of people hadn't yet taken the digital plunge.

This compilation makes a pretty good introduction to Ralph's post Stanley Brothers career, with twelve tracks drawn from the Roy Lee Centers era; six with Charlie Sizemore and two from Keith Whitley's time as lead vocalist.

The cover photo is from the same Len Atkins Studio session as the The Stanley Sound Today 1981 LP.