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:-

On Radio Vol. 2
(County CO-781)


CME Recommends...

A Life Of Constant Sorrow
alifeofsorrow.com

CME Recommends...

Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

CME Recommends...

Hills Of Home Festival
drralphstanleyfestival.com

CME Recommends...

Rebel Records
rebelrecords.com

CME Recommends...

Bluegrass Unlimited
Bluegrass Unlimited
Clinch Mountain Echo

Barter Theatre Presents: Man Of Constant Sorrow

(Original Cast Recording)

(Barter Theatre 1440) 2005


Barter Theatre Presents: Man Of Constant Sorrow

Average Album Rating: 3
(Total votes 1)

  • 5 star
  • 4 star
  • 3 star
  • 2 star
  • 1 star

Please rate this album:

As the CD title says... this is a recording from the "Man Of Constant Sorrow" play about the Stanley Brothers, that was premiered at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va on 25th Aug 2005 and had a grand opening on the 28th, when Ralph and family attended.[1] It is a fictionalised account, rather than 100% historically accurate, and Ralph later commented: "... they played me pretty dumb in that play, made me more backwards than I ever was. The writers told me they done that to sell more tickets, and I can understand it, because in a play you can make your story any way you want. It was a good play, I enjoyed it, but it really wasn't me up on that stage".[2]

Ralph must have thought the play was ok though, as he added an additional day to his 'Hills Of Home' festival, just so the play could be performed there in 2006.[3]

As cover versions / imitations / tributes go, the CD is enjoyable. It's best listened to in conjunction with reading the liner notes, as they give an overview of the play, putting the musical sequence into context. Sections of the spoken word link the songs together in places, and the recording was made live with the cast going through the show as they did on stage.

In a way it's a shame that all of the dialogue couldn't be included (which would have required a 2xCD set), but you can still get the gist of what's going on, especially if you've read some of the books about Ralph and the Stanley Brothers.

The "CMB" line-up musician's included in the cast were:-

  • Gill Braswell (Ralph): banjo
  • Nicholas Piper (Carter): guitar
  • Ed Snodderly: fiddle, guitar
  • Buddy Woodward: mandolin, guitar
  • Brandon Story: bass

Also featured are: Amelia Ampuero as Ralph's wife Jimmie Stanley (nee Crabtree); and Kimberley Mays as Ralph & Carter's mother Lucy Stanley. In addition to their roles in the band, Ed Snodderly also plays Syd Nathan (King label boss) and Orderley / Bus Driver; Buddy Woodward likewise doubles as the preacher and WCYB Station Manager.

PS: It looks like Ralph missed an opportunity to get some publicity on this one for his 'Stanleytone' banjos... Gill Braswell uses a Gold Tone 250-AT arch top...

 

Track:
Title:
Time:
Date:
Original Release:
Act I
 
 
 
 

 
A-1
Man Of Constant Sorrow
02:30
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

R.D. Burnett
A-2
How Mountain Girls Can Love
01:52
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Ruby Rakes
A-3
"The Preacher's Introduction"
00:36
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

N/A
A-4
Amazing Grace
01:35
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

John Newton
A-5
Finger Poppin' Time
01:34
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Hank Ballard
A-6
The Fields Have Turned Brown
02:45
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

C. Stanley
A-7
Little Maggie
02:01
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

P.D.
A-8
Precious Memories
00:33
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Johnnie Wright
A-9
Shout Little Lulie / White Dove
03:09
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

P.D. / C. Stanley
A-10
WCYB Radio Theme Song
00:13
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

??
A-11
"A Pig and a Banjo"
00:28
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

N/A
A-12
Pig In A Pen
01:26
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

P.D. or Arthur Smith?
A-13
O Death
02:14
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

P.D.
A-14
Drifting Too Far From The Shore
00:24
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Charles E. Moody
A-15
Harbor Of Love
02:36
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

C. Stanley
Act II
 
 
 
 

 
A-16
The Old Home
02:03
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

C. Stanley
A-17
"Carter's Dream"
00:41
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

N/A
A-18
Rank Stranger
03:11
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Albert E. Brumley
A-19
Shouting On The Hills Of Glory / I Only Exist
02:17
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

E.M. Bartlett - Joyce Morris / Jimmie Stanley
A-20
I Only Exist
02:54
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Joyce Morris / Jimmie Stanley
A-21
I'll Fly Away
01:46
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Albert E. Brumley
A-22
Mountain Dew
02:09
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Bascom Lamar Lunsford / Scotty Wiseman
A-23
"Carter speaks"
00:36
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

N/A
A-24
Let Me Rest
02:11
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

R. Stanley / C. Stanley
A-25
Angel Band
03:28
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Jefferson Hascall / William B. Bradbury
A-26
Mary, Merry Christmas
01:54
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

C. Stanley
A-27
"Ralph remembers Carter"
00:24
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

N/A
A-28
Gloryland
01:16
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

P.D.
A-29
Clinch Mountain Backstep
01:31
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

Ruby Rakes
A-30
God Gave You To Me
01:15
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

R. Stanley
A-31
Man Of Constant Sorrow
01:23
2005
Barter Theatre Presents...

R.D. Burnett
Other artwork / related images:
Rear Cover CD Tray Inner CD Tray

[1] The source for this is now defunct: http://www.cmt.com/news/1508303/stanley-brothers-play-opening-in-virginia/
[2] Ralph Stanley and Eddie Dean's book "Man Of Constant Sorrow" (p.13)
[3] The 'General Store' section of the April 2006 edition of 'Bluegrass Unlimited' reporteed that Ralph added an extra day so that the play could be performed at his festival on 24th May 2006. (p. 12)

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

Ralph II ralph2.com

Spotlight on:-

Gather At The River: A Bluegrass Celebration
(BMG Special Products 72333-80068-9)


CME Recommends...

A Life Of Constant Sorrow
alifeofsorrow.com

CME Recommends...

Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

CME Recommends...

Hills Of Home Festival
drralphstanleyfestival.com

CME Recommends...

Rebel Records
rebelrecords.com

CME Recommends...

Bluegrass Unlimited
Bluegrass Unlimited