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Various Artists - Radio Series Vol. 1

(Wango CD-109) 1998

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This 74:03 min compilation includes one of the 25 or so Radio shows the Stanley Brothers recorded for Ray Davis in Dec. 1963. Two of the cuts (Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die and Little Maggie) had previously been released on the Wango EP-110 7", but the rest of the material is unique to this CD.

Unfortunately, during the week the radio shows were made Carter was suffering from laryngitis, so his contribution is largely limited to rhythm guitar and the occasional croaky introduction. Because of this, Ralph and the CMB's (George Shuffler and Henry Dockery) have to do more of the singing, which makes renditions of Sunny Side Of The Mountain, Mountain Dew and Rank Stranger a bit different.

On the plus side, Ralph's banjo playing is excellent particularly on Whoa Mule. The absence of Carter also means George Shuffler is called in to provide short guitar instrumental versions of Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die, Weeping Willow and Mountain Pickin'^[1]. George is also featured quite heavily on Little Maggie, and Henry Dockery sings lead on Mountain Dew.

The rest of the CD also contains excellent radio broadcasts made by The Basement Band (James King / Danny, Bob & Michael Paisley / Robert & T.J. Lundy and Jon Glik); The Warrior River Boys with David Davis and Scott Brannon, and The Gillis Brothers.

As with the other Wango CD's the 'Radio Series' are not that easy to find. I think they were sold by Ray Davis over the air (or during fund-raising drives for WAMU Radio), with some copies sold at Ralph's gigs. The all contain good stuff, but the main frustration with the Radio Series is that individual songs aren't given their own CD track. ie. this CD has over 30 pieces of content, but only 11 tracks...

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocals
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Henry Dockery: bass
• George Shuffler: lead guitar

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's session, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 173-174 and 204-209.

^{[1] Mountain Pickin' is a different tune to the track with the same name on John's Country Quartet / Stanley Brothers Of Virginia, Vol. 2: Long Journey Home.}