---

---

Ralph Stanley & Friends - Clinch Mountain Sweethearts

(Rebel REB-CD-1770) 2001

---

This is another collection from 2001 of guest vocalists, singing numbers with Ralph from the Stanley back-catalogue. It was recorded at Masterlink Studios and Quad Studios in Nashville, Tn. and Different Fun Studio in San Francisco, Ca.

The all female cast consisted of: Joan Baez, Gail Davies, Iris DeMent, Sara Evans, Patty Mitchell, Melba Montgomery, Maria Muldaur, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Valerie Smith, Kristi Stanley, Pam Tillis, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and Chely Wright.

Like the other collaborative albums, Clinch Mountain Country and Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, the results are mixed. Having all female vocals, does however result in some interesting different arrangements.

Folk blues singer Maria Muldaur had previously recorded an excellent soulful version of The Memory Of Your Smile for the Mike Seeger - Third Annual Farewell Reunion CD, in May 1993.

The CD features a 24-page booklet, with details of the featured guest artists and article by Eddie Stubbs.

The album was dedicated to the memory of Jack's wife Cornell Cooke, who I think died in 1997.^[1]

• Ralph Stanley: vocals
• Jack Cooke: bass (*)
• James Price: fiddle
• John Rigsby: mandolin
• James Alan Shelton: lead guitar
• Steve Sparkman: banjo
• Ralph II Stanley: guitar

(*) George Shuffler plays bass on I'll Never Grow Tired Of You.

^{[1] http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=81760414&ref=acom}