The Stanley Brothers - Songs Of The Carter Family

(Gusto/King KSCD 540) c2004

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Another Gusto compilation, this time with twelve songs from the King/Starday catalogue, either written or popularised by the original Carter Family.

The Carter Family were an early influence on The Stanley Brothers, who as children listened to their radio broadcasts from the powerful XERA station on the Mexican border. Later when the Stanley's started work at Bristol's WCYB station, they became friends with A.P. Carter and perfomed at his music park/country store. He introduced them saying: "This here is the Stanley boys, Carter and Ralph... Far as I know, they're all right. They ain't done nothing wrong yet. I never heard nothing different. Not yet anyhow."^[1]

In 2006 Ralph also released a CD of Carter Family songs - A Distant Land To Roam.

Nowadays the King/Starday material is probably best obtained on the two 4xCD box sets The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 and The King Years, 1961-1965.

For detailed information on the songs/sessions check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book. For page references, see the Original Release entries.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Ralph Stanley and Eddie Dean's 'Man Of Constant Sorrow' book (p.123)