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The Stanley Brothers - Stanley Series, Vol. 4 No. 1

(Copper Creek CCCD-5513) 1996

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This edition of the Stanley Series features tracks from the 29th July 1956 show at New River Ranch, Rising Sun, Md. ie. about three weeks after the Shipp's park appearance that can be found on Stanley Series, Vol. 2 No. 3.

Once again, the band turn in a good performance with Chubby Anthony fiddle work being notable. Nearly all of the songs have appeared in different versions on other shows, but Carroll County Blues is unique to this set, and I can't recall hearing Lindy Clear's crying baby routine on any other show.

Crazy Arms was a top hit for Ray Price at the time and features Curley Lambert on lead vocal. Another version, can also be found on the Stanley Series, Vol. 3 No. 1, recorded the following week (5th Aug 1956 at Silver Creek Ranch in Paris, Va.). Six songs appear on both albums.

Tapes of the show were recorded by Willie Foshag,^[1] which presumably was taken from at least two sets, as Hard Times and Cry From The Cross both appear twice. Sound quality is excellent, and even though much of the intersong dialogue is missing, the CD still flows well.

I'm not sure if this was the last edition of the 'Stanley Series'... At least two discographies list 'Vol. 4 No. 2' but apart from MP3's I've not found any hard evidence of it's release.

Thanks to Chris Wing for the loan of the CD and Gary B. Reid for updating the identity of the tape source.

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocal
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocal
• Chubby Anthony: fiddle
• Lindy Clear: bass
• Curley Lambert: mandolin (*)

NB: (*) Curley Lambert sings lead on Crazy Arms.

For more detailed breakdown and background to the show, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 52-55, 61 and 78-79.

^{[1] The CD liner notes indicated that both Jeremy Foster and Mike Seeger recorded the show, and that the tapes were combined for this release. Gary subsequently learned that it was Willie Foshag who recorded the show. In 1956 Willie designed and made a "T" splitter that allowed him to record the show using the stage mic, i.e. splitting the signal so that part went to his recorder and part to the P.A. system. (Email from Gary B. Reid 30 Apr 2017)}