(Rebel SLP 1509) 1971
This album was recorded on the 11-12th December 1971, after the band had finished recording The Old County Church, at Roy Homer's basement studio.
I reckon many will consider this one of Curly's best releases.
Consisting largely of a mix of fiddle tunes, it features just two Curly Ray vocal numbers: a version of The Delmore Brothers' Farmer's Girl; and the title track They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree. The latter is a catchy number recalling the sad tale of how they cut done the old pine tree to make a coffin for his sweetheart, who would never be alone 'in the grave tonight' because his heart would always be with her...
The album also has two breakdowns. Curly had previously recorded the excellent Lonesome Pine Breakdown with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers for RCA Victor in 1953.[1] Then there's a version of Bill Monroe's Pike County Breakdown, which the Stanley Brothers had also performed but never recorded.[2] This version features Curly, Ricky, Keith and Ralph taking breaks. Great stuff!
Each LP side concludes neatly with a instrumental Gospel tune.
Curly had previously cut a version of Lost Girl on The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers LP 'More Bluegrass' (Starday SLP-222) 1963.
Track: |
Title: |
---|---|
Side One: |
(13:48) |
1 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
Curly Ray Cline |
|
2 |
Mississippi Sawyer |
P.D. |
|
3 |
Sweet Thing |
Buddy Starcher |
|
4 |
Lonesome Pine Breakdown |
Curly Ray Cline |
|
5 |
Lost Girl |
Curly Ray Cline |
|
6 |
Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Saviour |
Fanny Jane Crosby |
|
Side Two: |
(13:42) |
1 |
Farmer's Girl |
Alton Delmore / Rabon Delmore |
|
2 |
Sally Goodin |
P.D. |
|
3 |
Tennessee Waltz |
Pee Wee King / Redd Stewart |
|
4 |
Big Daddy Blues |
Curly Ray Cline |
|
5 |
Pike County Breakdown |
Rupert Jones (Bill Monroe) |
|
6 |
Precious Memories |
Johnnie Wright |