(Hay Holler HH-CD-1350) 2000
This album was recorded in late 1999 at River Track studios in Louisa, Ky. Described by John Rigsby as "a sort of tribute to my favorite singers" the material is largely drawn from the likes of The Sloas Brothers, Charlie Monroe and a 1973 Charlie Moore tribute to Clyde Moody.
I reckon the best 'bluegrass' music is timeless, and this album is definitely up there in the top drawer. Although Rigsby was only 25 when it was recorded, it has a depth of feeling to it that eludes many performers. I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise given that John learnt the nuances of the fiddle from The Sloas Brothers[1], or that he grew up in the Sandy Hook/Isonville area of Kentucky...
The album features two Sloas Brothers numbers: Queen Of The Bar originally from The Sloas Brothers 'I'm Going Home Again' (REM LP-1023) 1967 LP and Struttin' Rooster which is performed as a fiddle/banjo number with the late Kenny Sloas.
Charlie Monroe also appears to have been a big influence, as four numbers are taken from his repertoire: Red Rocking Chair, Crying Heart Blues, Walking With You In My Dreams and Weep And Cry. Ralph also later cut Walking With You In My Dreams with Ralph II on Side By Side, no doubt influenced by John. (He also suggested Ralph record the Sloas' Loving Grace Of God on My All And All.)
Charlie Moore's 'A Tribute To Clyde Moody' (Old Homestead OHS-90033) 1973 also seems to have been influential, as four songs (I'll Still Be Around If You Need Me, Leaf Of Love, Jealous Heart, and Whispering Pine) are featured on both albums.
There are also two wonderfully rustic sounding a cappella songs, featuring John's cousin Don Rigsby. Mother Dear At Home is simply spell-binding, whilst Up Haste To Calvary, lined by Elder Jerry Brown would make Ralph proud.[2]
The title cut, Forks Of The Ivy is a catchy original by John, performed as a fiddle/banjo duet, with Kenny Sloas on clawhammer.
Most tracks are backed by John McNeely, Jason Hale and the late Dale Vanderpool, who were in the Goins Brothers / Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain band at the time with John.
Nowadays this album isn't too easy to find, but it's definitely worth picking up if you're lucky enough to find a copy!
NB: (a) bass on (1), (9) and (14)
(b) lining out and lead vocal on (16)
(c) bass on all tracks except (1), (4), (7), (9), (13), (14) and (16)
(d) guitar on all tracks except (4), (7), (13) and (16)
(e) vocal on (7) and (16)
(f) banjo on (4) and (13)
(g) banjo on all tracks except (4), (7), (13) and (16)
Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
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A-1 |
Red Rocking Chair |
01:51 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Charlie Monroe |
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Vcl / Mnd | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
David Bowling |
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A-2 |
Crying Fool |
02:25 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Walter Adams |
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Ld Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Tn Vcl | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Don Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-3 |
I'll Still Be Around If You Need Me |
02:46 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-4 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
01:58 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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John Rigsby |
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Fid | Bjo | ||||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Kenny Sloas |
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A-5 |
Crying Heart Blues |
01:53 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Charlie Monroe |
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Ld Vcl / Fid | Tn Vcl | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Don Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-6 |
Walking With You In My Dreams |
02:24 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Charlie Monroe |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-7 |
Mother Dear At Home |
03:37 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. |
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Ld + Bt Vcl | Tn Vcl | ||||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Don Rigsby |
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A-8 |
Leaf Of Love |
02:36 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Bob Newman / James Williams Walker |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-9 |
Black Mountain Blues |
02:52 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Leslie Keith |
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Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
David Bowling |
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A-10 |
Jealous Heart |
02:33 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-11 |
Queen Of The Bar |
03:25 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Lonnie Nipper / John Sloas |
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Ld Vcl / Fid | Tn Vcl | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Don Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-12 |
Farewell Billy Dear |
02:56 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-13 |
Struttin' Rooster |
02:21 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Lonnie Nipper/John Sloas |
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Fid | Bjo | ||||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
Kenny Sloas |
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A-14 |
Weep And Cry |
03:13 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
David Bowling |
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A-15 |
Whispering Pine |
03:10 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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Clyde Moody |
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Vcl / Mnd + Fid | Gtr | Bjo | Bs | ||||||||||||||||||
John Rigsby |
John McNeely |
Dale Vanderpool |
Jason Hale |
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A-16 |
Up Haste To Calvary |
04:40 |
1999 |
Forks Of The Ivy |
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P.D. arr. John Rigsby / Jerry Brown |
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Lining Out + Ld Vcl | Tn Vcl | Bt Vcl | |||||||||||||||||||
Elder Jerry Brown |
John Rigsby |
Don Rigsby |
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[1] Gary B. Reid's liner notes to Ralph Stanley II & John Rigsby - 'Clinch Mountain Echo' (Copper Creek CCCD-0151) 1996.
[2] I don't know the release details, but the Sloas Brothers version can be found on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77uWH1G9r_0
[3] Elder Jerry Brown is also on Vision Of A Golden Crown on Don Rigsby's A Vision CD.