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

(Copper Creek CCSS-V1N4) Sept. 1982

---

The fourth edition of Vol. 1 of the 'Stanley Series' includes the last full show by The Stanley Brothers, recorded at the Brown County Jamboree, Bean Blossom, In. on 16th Oct. 1966.

Carter's voice sounds a little ragged/shaky, but considering his condition, he still gives 100% and the performance isn't bad by any means. Carter sings on about half of the tracks, with George Shuffler singing on I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome and Melvin Goins on Charming Betsy. Other numbers include a patchy instrumental version of Wildwood Flower, and George Shuffler's guitar showcase Little Rosewood Casket. The set also includes two fiddle numbers with Birch Monroe^[1] and a couple of lengthy comedy interludes.

My Dixie Home was performed by Bill Monroe and can be heard on the 1940's Opry airchecks^[2]. The song had been re-recorded earlier by Asa Martin and James Roberts^[3] and as Dixie Home was cut in 1962 by Flatt & Scruggs.

According to the liner notes, Curly Ray Cline, who is advertised on the flyer, couldn't make the gig as he was working in the mine. At the time Curly was playing odd dates with The Stanley Brothers as and when work permitted.

This album features The Stanley's second show of the day at the 'Jamboree, and doesn't duplicate any of the recordings that have resurfaced on the Brown County Jamboree CD and Together For The Last Time LP (although both sets include versions of Somebody Loves You Darling). Tapes for the album came from Neil Rosenberg and Bill Ivey, and sound quality is excellent, with no drop-outs or cuts. I'm not 100% sure however that the recording runs at correct speed - from the sound of Carter's voice it sounds like the original tape speed was off slightly, so that on playback it runs slightly fast & consequently higher in pitch...

Originally the album was released in a generic 'Stanley Style' sleeve with a 4-page A4 booklet with background info, song lyrics and an interview with Melvin Goins. Later copies, dispensed with the booklet and had the info printed on the sleeve.

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocal
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocal
• Melvin Goins: bass (a)
• Birch Monroe: fiddle (b)
• George Shuffler: lead guitar (a)

NB: (a) Melvin Goins sings and plays guitar on Charming Betsy, with George Shuffler switching to bass. (b) Birch Monroe, plays on Down Yonder and Lost Train Blues, and sings with Carter and Ralph on Canaan's Land and Beautiful Life.

For more detailed breakdown and background to the show, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 197-200 and 224.

Other artwork / related images: