The Stanley Brothers - If I Lose / Don't Go Out Tonight
(Starday 546) April 1961
This 7" features another two of the Stanley's classic numbers, both of which were later featured on the Mountain Music Sound Of The Stanley Brothers LP.
Credited to Ralph Stanley, If I Lose is a variation on If I Lose, I Don't Care which was first recorded by Charlie Poole and The North Carolina Ramblers in 1927, and by J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers in 1938. The Stanley's version closely matches the chorus to the Mainer's Mountaineers release, but has different chords and lyrics in the verses. The song apparently has it's roots in vaudeville, circa 1911.[1] A fan favourite, Ralph later re-recorded the number as duet with Jim Lauderdale on his Clinch Mountain Country album.
Don't Go Out Tonight is likewise an old song, being first recorded by G.B. Grayson & Henry Whitter in Oct. 1927 as Don't Go Out Tonight, My Darling[2] and circa 1937 by J.E. Mainer.[3] Ralph also later revisited it on his Stanley Brothers Classics: Introducing James King release.
Both sides of the single can be found on The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 4xCD box set.
For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 108-111 and 149.
| Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
Guitar: |
Banjo: |
Fiddle: |
Mandolin: |
Bass: |
Lead Guitar: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 |
If I Lose |
02:10 |
?? May 1960 |
Starday 546 | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
Ralph Mayo |
Audie Webster |
Curley Lambert |
|
| R. Stanley |
||||||||||
| B-1 |
Don't Go Out Tonight |
02:32 |
?? May 1960 |
Starday 546 | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
Ralph Mayo |
Audie Webster |
Curley Lambert |
|
| G.B. Grayson |
[1] See: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bzaBnQ6shPMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22if+I+lose%22+-myself+song+origin+bluegrass+pickers+songbook&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjKj9HKhrrYAhXLb1AKHX2mAFgQ6AEILzAB#v=onepage&q=if%20i%20lose&f=falsehttps://www.discogs.com/J-E-Mainers-Mountaineers-Oh-Why-Did-I-Ever-Get-Married-If-I-Lose-Let-Me-Lose/release/9361390
[2] https://www.discogs.com/G-B-Grayson-Henry-Whitter-He-Is-Coming-To-Us-Dead-Dont-Go-Out-Tonight-My-Darling/release/7835086
[3] J.E. Mainer's version was released as Don't Go Out / Miss Me When I'm Gone (Montgomery Ward M-7304) 1937 and (Bluebird B-7349). On the Bluebird 78, Miss Me When I'm Gone is listed as by Leonard Stokes - George Morris. See: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2usUpwMgx3gC&pg=PA582&lpg=PA582&dq=Bluebird+7349+don%27t+go+out&source=bl&ots=ROrWPCGnob&sig=JRtJ1G7vCBxpYXAlLItTigbXooo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjTkKCAm7zYAhWFIlAKHcUkCmAQ6AEIQDAH#v=onepage&q=Bluebird%207349%20don't%20go%20out&f=false