The Stanley Brothers - Stanley Series, Vol. 4 No. 2

(Copper Creek CCCD-5514) c1996

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This is ficticious release but as two bluegrass/Stanley Brothers discographies have it listed, and MP3 copies of the show have circulated on the internet, it's worth mentioning...

The show is significant as with its all-bluegrass line-up, the 4th July 1961 Oak Leaf Park, Luray Va. event, was a fore-runner to today's bluegrass festivals.^[1] And what a line-up, too, with Bill Monroe, the Stanley's, Jim & Jesse, the Country Gent's, Bill Clifton and Mac Wiseman!

The Stanley's had also appeared at the venue the previous week, opening the season at Oak Leaf Park, which had been contracted out to Bill Clifton to operate that year. Their perfomance from the 28th May 1961 can be found on Stanley Series, Vol. 2 No. 2, which featured a stripped down four-piece band and included eight of the songs included in this set. For this show however, Al Elliot is added on mandolin, Jack Cooke is filling in on bass and there still is no fiddler.

The MP3's I have, start with the Stanley's evening show, which is more complete including much of the dialogue. Tracks 15-23 are from their opening set and only If I Lose is duplicated.

The show is also one which has gone down in bluegrass history, as it's the one where Carter and Bill spoke their mind about Flatt & Scruggs, who had been invited to play, but apparently refused to do so because they didn't want to appear on the same bill as them. Some of Bill Monroe's material has also resurfaced, including a guest spot with Carter performing Sugar Coated Love. The track (minus the comments) can also be heard on the 3xCD The Definitive Collection (1947 - 1966).

Quality of the recording is pretty good, but there are some abrupt interuptions in Put My Little Shoes Away and How Far To Little Rock (the latter featuring some neat ad-libbing from Carter).

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocal
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocal
• Jack Cooke: bass
• Al Elliot: mandolin (*)
• George Shuffler: guitar

NB: (*) Al Elliot sings lead on Put My Little Shoes Away and The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band.

For more detailed breakdown and background to the show, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 52-55, and 127-128.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Often credited as the first one day 'all bluegrass' event, there was an earlier one-day festival organised by Don Owens and billed as 'Bluegrass Day' at Watermelon Park, Berryville, Va on 14th August 1960. See Bill C. Malone's book "Bill Clifton" (p.57)