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Various Artists - Radio Series Vol. 7

(Wango CD-127) 2005

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This final volume of the 'Radio Series' features another of the 15min shows the Stanley's recorded for Ray Davis in Dec. 1963. As with the others, Carter's participation is limited due to laryngitis, so Ralph, George Shuffler and Henry Dockery do all of the singing and Ralph handles the majority of the emcee work.

Ralph sings lead on Mother's Only Sleeping (aka Mother's Not Dead) which is the same version as found on Plum Pitiful Vol. 1/Plum Pitiful Vol. 2; George Shuffler takes the lead vocal on Pig In A Pen and My Main Trial Is Yet To Come; and Henry Dockery sings Mountain Dew - which is the third time he'd sang it on the 'Radio Series', suggesting it was his 'party-piece' at the time. (The other versions are on Vol. 1 and Vol. 6).

The remainder of the material consists of short instrumentals with Are You Tired Of Me My Darlin' featuring Ralph and George Shuffler swapping breaks; Cumberland Gap (shown as Cotton-Eyed Joe) and Daybreak In Dixie being banjo showcases; and George Shuffler also contributes a guitar version of Arkansas Traveller.

The remainder of the 71:29 min CD features good traditional bluegrass from Warrior River Boys, and the 'Basement All-Stars', plus another set from the Gillis Brothers, who were obviously influenced by the Stanley's!

Thanks again to Chris Wing for the loan of the CD.

• 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 208-209.