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

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American Icon: The Definitive Collection
(No Label No #)


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Clinch Mountain Echo

John Rigsby - Forks Of The Ivy

(Hay Holler HH-CD-1350) 2000


John Rigsby - Forks Of The Ivy

Average Album Rating: 4
(Total votes 2)

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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!

  • John Rigsby: mandolin, fiddle, vocals
  • David Bowling: bass (a)
  • Elder Jerry Brown: lining out vocal (b)
  • Jason Hale: bass (c)
  • John McNeely: guitar (d)
  • Don Rigsby: vocal (e)
  • Kenny Sloas: banjo (f)
  • Dale Vanderpool: banjo (g)

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:
A-1
Red Rocking Chair
01:51
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Charlie Monroe
  Vcl / Mnd Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
David Bowling
 
   
A-2
Crying Fool
02:25
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Walter Adams
  Ld Vcl / Mnd + Fid Tn Vcl Gtr Bjo Bs    
  John Rigsby
Don Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
   
A-3
I'll Still Be Around If You Need Me
02:46
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D.
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-4
Forks Of The Ivy
01:58
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

John Rigsby
  Fid Bjo          
  John Rigsby
Kenny Sloas
 
 
 
   
A-5
Crying Heart Blues
01:53
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Charlie Monroe
  Ld Vcl / Fid Tn Vcl Gtr Bjo Bs    
  John Rigsby
Don Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
   
A-6
Walking With You In My Dreams
02:24
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Charlie Monroe
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-7
Mother Dear At Home
03:37
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D.
  Ld + Bt Vcl Tn Vcl          
  John Rigsby
Don Rigsby
 
 
 
   
A-8
Leaf Of Love
02:36
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Bob Newman / James Williams Walker
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-9
Black Mountain Blues
02:52
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Leslie Keith
  Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
David Bowling
 
   
A-10
Jealous Heart
02:33
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D.
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-11
Queen Of The Bar
03:25
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Lonnie Nipper / John Sloas
  Ld Vcl / Fid Tn Vcl Gtr Bjo Bs    
  John Rigsby
Don Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
   
A-12
Farewell Billy Dear
02:56
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D.
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-13
Struttin' Rooster
02:21
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Lonnie Nipper/John Sloas
  Fid Bjo          
  John Rigsby
Kenny Sloas
 
 
 
   
A-14
Weep And Cry
03:13
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D.
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
David Bowling
 
   
A-15
Whispering Pine
03:10
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

Clyde Moody
  Vcl / Mnd + Fid Gtr Bjo Bs      
  John Rigsby
John McNeely
Dale Vanderpool
Jason Hale
 
   
A-16
Up Haste To Calvary
04:40
1999
Forks Of The Ivy

P.D. arr. John Rigsby / Jerry Brown
  Lining Out + Ld Vcl Tn Vcl Bt Vcl        
  Elder Jerry Brown
John Rigsby
Don Rigsby
 
 
   
Other artwork / related images:
Rear Cover CD Tray

[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.

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

Ralph II ralph2.com

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