The Stanley Brothers - Clinch Mountain Bluegrass

(Vanguard 77018) 1994

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This CD contains bits from the Stanley's appearances at two of the Newport Folk Festivals in Newport, Rhode Island. The first eight tracks (including two comedy routines by Lindy Clear and intro by Oscar Brand) are from the first festival in 1959, and the remainder are from 1964.

From the 1959 show The Stanleys, ably assisted by Chubby Anthony and Lindy Clear, only perform five songs. The band are in fine form, but it is odd that Carter would choose to close the short set with Lindy Clear's train impersonation (the second in a show lasting less than 18 minutes), rather than a final song.

At the time of the 1964 shows, Carter was unfortunately suffering from laryngitis, so here the Stanley's performance is sadly below par. It will still be of interest to hard-core fans, but it isn't a good representaton of the Stanleys at their best. For instance on White Dove George Shuffler has to sing lead, and the rendition pales besides Carter's usual vocal work. Likewise on Rank Stranger Ralph sings the lead part, with Carter struggling to sing the chorus; How Mountain Girls Can Love also has George Shuffler singing Carter's part and only on Little Glass Of Wine does Carter fair a little better.

The 1964 material is also taken from a mixture of performances and instrument workshops, so there are two versions of Hard Times, and the sequence of material doesn't 'flow' too well. Furthermore, the CD perhaps falls down a bit because three tracks are duplicated in both the 1959 and 1964 sets (Orange Blossom Special, How Mountain Girls Can Love and Man Of Constant Sorrow).

A photograph from one of their 1964 sets, show Benny Birchfield from the Osborne Brother's filling in on bass. George Shuffler reciprocated by playing with the Osborne's, which can be seen on Murray Lerner's 'Festival' film. Another photograph from the festival shows Ralph and Carter backstage with Johnny Cash.

The front cover photo looks like it might have been taken by John Byrne Cooke, who has three other similiar photo's of the Stanley's from the 1964 festival on his website.

The CD has short ok-ish liner notes by Mary Katherine Aldin, and for Stanley anoraks, the European issue has a slightly different CD tray...

Four of the 1964 cuts have previously appeared on the Various Artists - Bluegrass Breakdown CD:- How Mountain Girls Can Love, Man Of Constant Sorrow, Big Tilda and Orange Blossom Special. Subsequently four of the 1959 cuts have also appeared on the 3xCD Various Artists - Newport Folk Festival 1959-66 set (How Mountain Girls Can Love, Man Of Constant Sorrow, Gathering Flowers From The Master's Bouquet and Choo Choo Comin).

For more detailed breakdown and background to these appearances, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 100, 142, 184-186, and 213-214.

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