Ralph Stanley - Hemlock And Primroses / Sweet Sally Brown

(King 45-6139) 1968

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This 7" was recorded on Ralph's first session for his Brand New Country Songs album in May 1967.

The classic Hemlock And Primroses is credited to Ralph and Landon Messer but it's more likely that it was written by Landon alone, as he had previously recorded it in 1964 with Albert Parsley and the Laurel Valley Boys.^[1] Landon later re-recorded it on his 'Hemlocks & Primroses' LP (Charm CH-1001) in 1984,^[2] and he later worked with Ralph and Curly Ray Cline on the 1987 Lowell Varney, Landon Messer and Riverside Grass - With Ralph Stanley album.

Sweet Sally Brown is another great humourous song from Wandall 'Wendy' Smith - see the Sing Michigan Bluegrass and Hills Of Home entries for more info on him, and the other songs of his which Ralph recorded.

Ralph later re-cut Hemlock And Primroses on his 1976 Old Home Place LP and both Hemlock... and Sweet Sally Brown were re-recorded in 2004 for his Sings His Favorites Now and Then CD (also The Definitive Collection: American Icon CD).

Both sides of the 7" can now be found on the Poor Rambler 3xCD set.

• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Curly Ray Cline: fiddle
• Melvin Goins: guitar
• Jim McCall: bass
• Earl Taylor: mandolin, harmonica

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Albert Parsley & Landon Messer with The Laurel Valley Boys - Hemlock And Primroses / Barbara Allen (REM 353) 1964. See: http://www.45rpmrecords.com/KY/REM.php and https://www.discogs.com/Albert-Parsley-Landon-MesserLaurel-Valley-Boys-Hemlock-And-Primroses/release/8152677
[2] https://www.ibiblio.org/hillwilliam/BGdiscography/?v=fullrecord&albumid=6504