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The Stanley Brothers - Collectors Edition, Vol. 4

(Gusto GT-0106) 1983

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Vol. 4 in this series, mostly recycles tracks from the Starday Mountain Song Favorites album. It is however notable for being the first LP appearance of the Stanley's My Deceitful Heart, which previously had only been released on the My Deceitful Heart / Drunkard's Dream (King 5674) single in Aug 1962.

One track, Fire On The Strings is actually Ralph's banjo instrumental Holiday Pickin'. It had previously appeared under this alternate title on a Various Artists' compilation Fire On The Strings (Starday SLP-221) in 1963.

Rather oddly another instrumental, Banjo On The Mountain, doesn't appear to be by The Stanley Brothers. It seems to have first appeared credited to them on a Various Artists compilation 'Country Express' (Starday SLP-109) 1960 / (Nashville NLP-2006) 1964. Exactly where it comes from, and who plays on it is somewhat of a mystery. I had thought that it was Carl Story with the Brewster Brothers, as there is a BMI song with that title credited to Bud & Willie Brewster. Carl Story cut it for Mercury/Starday in 1957, and although the tune sounds similiar, it is a different recording to that on this Gusto LP. It definitely isn't the Hylo Brown song of the same name. The tune was also later recorded by 78 RPM on their eponymous debut (Rural 1999), credited to Ralph... but I'm 99% sure it ain't.

Today, probably the best way to get all the King/Starday material is on the excellent The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 and The King Years, 1961-1965 4xCD sets.

Thanks to Chris Wing for the ongoing corrections!

For detailed information on the songs/sessions check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book. For page references, see the Original Release entries.