V/A - All Star Bluegrass Celebration

(Lickona Vision 22976-30019) 2002

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On the whole this is a fairly mediocre DVD of a PBS TV show that was recorded on 16th Jan 2002 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Tn.

Ralph and the CMB's are featured performing a medley of Rocky Island / Shout Little Lulie, plus Pretty Polly (with Patty Loveless) and Ralph's a cappella solo O Death. The band also take part in the group finale, with Ralph opening & closing Little Maggie.

Before the segment with Ralph, there's a brief introduction by Ricky Skaggs with a photomontage and an extract from the Stanley Brothers Jacob's Vision from the Pete Seeger Rainbow Quest TV show / the Stanley Brothers's Angel Band. This includes a picture of Carter as a child and one of Ralph from when he was in the Army after WWII.

The duet of Pretty Polly with Ralph and Patty Loveless is excellent, and reprises the duet from Ralph's Clinch Mountain Country DVD.

Ralph and the CMB's (minus Jack Cooke) also participate in the group finale with all the bands on stage. This is the only time I've seen Ralph and Earl Scruggs stand on stage together, though Earl leaves before Little Maggie and aside from singing Little Maggie Ralph is otherwise just standing there...

Sound and picture quality on the DVD is excellent, with multiple camera angles, but how much of the music can be considered 'bluegrass' will depend on your own tastes and interpretation. If you think that drums, electric guitar and piano stray too far from the Bill Monroe template, you'll probably find it a bit wearisome in places.

PS: The banjo Ralph plays on the clawhammer medley of Rocky Island / Shout Little Lulie looks to me like it's a flat-head Gibson, which is a bit curious...

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

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Ralph was inducted into the Opry 15th Jan 2000.
[2] In the 18:24 documentary extra 'Inside Look: Down From The Mountain', which was included on the 'Special Edition Widescreen' 2xDVD edition of 'Oh Brother' (Momentum Pictures MP014DS) 2000.