Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

04 Feb 1972 - Steve Sparkman. Harlan, Kentucky.

04 Feb 1906 - Art Wooten. Born 'Arthur James Wooten' in Alleghany, North Carolina.

11 Feb 1960 - Junior Blankenship. Born at the old Grundy Hospital, Grundy, Va.

25 Feb 1927 - Ralph Stanley. Born 'Ralph Edmund Stanley' in Big Spraddle Creek, near Stratton, McClure, Virginia.

29 Feb 1932 - Jim Williams. Born 'James Lee Williams' in Wythe County, Virginia.


In Memoriam:

05 Feb 1980 - Chubby Anthony. Gainesville, Alachua, Florida.

08 Feb 2003 - Ralph 'Joe' Meadows. Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

08 Feb 1987 - Harold 'Red' Stanley. Fentress, Tennessee.


For the Official Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys site, visit:

Ralph II ralph2.com

Spotlight on:-

Songs Of Tragedy And Redemption
(Snapper/Complete Country SCOUNTCD001)


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A Life Of Constant Sorrow
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Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

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Hills Of Home Festival
drralphstanleyfestival.com

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Rebel Records
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Clinch Mountain Echo

The Stanley Brothers - Ridin' That Midnight Train / A Little At A Time

(Starday 494) May 1960


Ridin' That Midnight Train

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:
A-1
Ridin' That Midnight Train
02:03
Sum. 1959
Mountain Song Favorites

R. Stanley
  Ld Vcl - Gtr Tn Vcl - Bjo Fid Mnd Bs    
  Carter Stanley
Ralph Stanley
Chubby Anthony
Bill Napier
Al Elliot
 
 
B-1
A Little At A Time
02:27
Sum. 1959
Mountain Song Favorites

M.H. 'Red' Malone / R. Stanley
  Ld Vcl - Gtr Tn Vcl - Bjo Fid Mnd Bs    
  Carter Stanley
Ralph Stanley
Chubby Anthony
Bill Napier
Al Elliot
 
 
Other artwork / related images:
A Little At A Time

[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.

For the Official Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys site, visit:

Ralph II ralph2.com

Spotlight on:-

Amazing Grace: Bluegrass Is Timeless
(Gusto/King KG 0335-2)


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Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

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drralphstanleyfestival.com

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Rebel Records
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