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Ralph II Stanley - Born To Be A Drifter

(Stanley Generation SGRCD-2011-02) 2011 - Reissued (Stanley Family SFR-RIICDBTBAD2013-01) 2013.

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Ralph II's sixth 'solo' CD has more of a contemporary country bluegrass sound to it than his earlier albums, and features some well crafted songs from the likes of Pete Goble and Dixie & Tom T. Hall.

I have to admit that most 'modern' bluegrass doesn't really do it for me, it's just too clinical sounding and I don't find much of it worth listening too. 'Born To Be A Drifter' falls into this kind of anodyne generic sound, but the CD garnered a glowing review in 'Bluegrass Unlimited' and a thumbs up in 'Bluegrass Today', so I guess the problem lies between my ears more than anything.

Amongst the cuts is a rendition of Stonewall Jackson's Bluefield, which is a lot smoother sounding that Jussi Syren's version; The Sloas Brothers God Needed My Mother and a cover of Peter Rowan's Will Work For Food (listed as Homeless And Hungry) which Pete cut on his 1996 'Bluegrass Boy' album. Apart from that and the version of Mothers Not Dead, She's Only Sleepin', which seems a little out of place, the rest of the tracks seem to be new songs written for the CD.

The album was recorded at Maggard Studios in Big Stone Gap, Va. with the vocals being recorded separately at Big Appal Studio in Paintsville, Ky.

• Ralph II Stanley: rhythm guitar, vocals
• Duane Bowling: banjo
• Curt Chapman: bass
• John Rigsby: fiddle, mandolin