The Stanley Brothers - Ridin' That Midnight Train / A Little At A Time
(Starday 494) May 1960
This 7" contains two of the Stanley's classic songs, from their Mountain Song Favorites LP, which had been released a few months earlier in Nov. 1959.
'Billboard' magazine reviewed the disc in their 9th May 1960 edition, giving both sides four stars and describing Ridin' That Midnight Train as: "This side is true Americana. A train song with a lyric full of heartbreak and tragedy, done in traditional country style"; and A Little At A Time as: "The true hill sound and some excellent traitional pickin', singin' and fiddlin' are on this side. A standard act in its field, and great for C&W programming."[1]
According to Gary B. Reid the Stanley's learnt A Little At A Time from 'Red' Malone, an entertainer who spent some time on the WCYB 'Farm & Fun Time' Radio show.[2] He also contributed Love Me, Darlin', Just Tonight to the Stanley's repertoire.
Ralph later re-recorded Ridin' That Midnight Train on his Live In Japan and The Stanley Sound Around The World albums; plus as a duet with Iris DeMent on Clinch Mountain Sweethearts CD. There have also been several 'retrospective' live recordings. A Little At A Time was also re-recorded by Ralph and Ralph II on their Side By Side CD.
Both cuts on this 7" can now be found on The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 4xCD box set.
For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 98 and 141.
| Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
Guitar: |
Banjo: |
Fiddle: |
Mandolin: |
Bass: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 |
Ridin' That Midnight Train |
02:03 |
Summer 1959 |
Mountain Song Favorites | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
Chubby Anthony |
Bill Napier |
Al Elliot |
| R. Stanley |
|||||||||
| B-1 |
A Little At A Time |
02:27 |
Summer 1959 |
Mountain Song Favorites | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
Chubby Anthony |
Bill Napier |
Al Elliot |
| M.H. 'Red' Malone / R. Stanley |
[1] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=billboard+starday+494+stanley+midnite+train&source=bl&ots=gtTkUcq-Zn&sig=j94BRvhTBfMkBHrvm4WMtRu09Eo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwja-djPyvzXAhVGyKQKHVnCBhUQ6AEILDAA#v=onepage&q=billboard%20starday%20494%20stanley%20midnite%20train&f=false[2] Liner notes to The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 4xCD box set.