James Alan Shelton - Clinch Mountain Guitar

(Freeland Recording Co. FRC-CD-650) 1996

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This CD contains a set of instrumentals by James and the Clinch Mountain Boys, which was recorded "in a marathon 14 hour session just prior to the band's April '95 tour of the West Coast". At the time of the session, James had been in the CMB's just over a year, and James Price had yet to join the band - he was still playing with The Goins Brothers, and took over from Art Stamper on fiddle later in the year.

The album largely consists of re-workings of tunes and standards from the Stanley back-catalogue, with obviously an emphasis on the lead guitar, but with Steve Sparkman and James Price providing a few breaks to give the album some variety. Ralph Stanley also guests, playing clawhammer on one track - Old Time Pickin', and Ralph II takes the 2nd break on John Henry.

Particularly noteworthy are Twilight Swamp, which Charlie Moore & Bill Napier had originally cut on their 'Folk n' Hill' LP (King 828) in 1963; The Old Gospel Ship which had been recorded by The Carter Family; and a splendid rendition of Ralph's banjo instrumental Coosy.

• James Alan Shelton: lead guitar, mandolin
• Jack Cooke: bass
• James Price: fiddle
• Steve Sparkman: banjo
• Ralph II Stanley: guitar (a)
• Ralph Stanley: banjo (b)

NB: (a) Ralph II also plays 2nd lead on John Henry. (b) Ralph Stanley guests playing clawhammer on Old Time Pickin'.

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