(Copper Creek CCCD-5514) c1996
As this album isn't mentioned in Gary B. Reid's book The Music Of The Stanley Brothers, I'm fairly sure it never got released as part of the 'Stanley Series'... However, at least two bluegrass/Stanley Brothers discographies have it listed, and MP3 copies of the show have circulated on the internet, so maybe it was intended for release but never made it?
The show is significant as with its all-bluegrass line-up, the 4th July 1961 Oak Leaf Park, Luray Va. event, was a fore-runner to today's bluegrass festivals.[1] And what a line-up, too, with Bill Monroe, the Stanley's, Jim & Jesse, the Country Gent's, Bill Clifton and Mac Wiseman!
The Stanley's had also appeared at the venue the previous week, opening the season at Oak Leaf Park, which had been contracted out to Bill Clifton to operate that year. Their perfomance from the 28th May 1961 can be found on Stanley Series, Vol. 2 No. 2, which featured a stripped down four-piece band and included eight of the songs included in this set. For this show however, Al Elliot is added on mandolin, Jack Cooke is filling in on bass and there still is no fiddler.
The MP3's I have, start with the Stanley's evening show, which is more complete including much of the dialogue. Tracks 15-23 are from their opening set and only If I Lose is duplicated.
The show is also one which has gone down in bluegrass history, as it's the one where Carter and Bill spoke their mind about Flatt & Scruggs, who had been invited to play, but apparently refused to do so because they didn't want to appear on the same bill as them. Some of Bill Monroe's material has also resurfaced, including a guest spot with Carter performing Sugar Coated Love. The track (minus the comments) can also be heard on the 3xCD The Definitive Collection (1947 - 1966).
Quality of the recording is pretty good, but there are some abrupt interuptions in Put My Little Shoes Away and How Far To Little Rock (the latter featuring some neat ad-libbing from Carter).
For more detailed breakdown and background to the show, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 52-55, and 127-128.
NB: (*) Al Elliot sings lead on Put My Little Shoes Away and The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band.
Track: |
Title: |
---|---|
CD: |
(66:37) |
1 |
Don't Go Out Tonight |
G.B. Grayson |
|
2 |
Sunny Side Of The Mountain |
Harry C. McAuliffe / Bobby Gregory |
|
3 |
The Memory Of Your Smile |
Ruby Rakes |
|
4 |
Steel Guitar Rag |
Leon McAuliffe |
|
5 |
Put My Little Shoes Away |
P.D. |
|
6 |
The Lonesome River |
C. Stanley |
|
7 |
Hey, Hey, Hey |
C. Stanley |
|
8 |
White Dove |
C. Stanley |
|
9 |
A Few More Years |
Horatius Bonar |
|
10 |
Hard Times |
R. Stanley |
|
11 |
Carter talks |
N/A |
|
12 |
How Far To Little Rock |
Ruby Rakes |
|
13 |
If I Lose |
R. Stanley |
|
14 |
Gonna Paint The Town |
R. Stanley |
|
15 |
Midnight Ramble |
Ruby Rakes |
|
16 |
The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band |
M. Foree / C. Carlisle |
|
17 |
Ridin' That Midnight Train |
R. Stanley |
|
18 |
If I Lose |
R. Stanley |
|
19 |
Old Love Letters |
Johnny Bond |
|
20 |
Jordan |
P.D. |
|
21 |
I Saw The Light |
Hank Williams |
|
22 |
Rank Stranger |
Albert E. Brumley |
|
23 |
How Mountain Girls Can Love |
Ruby Rakes |