Joe Isaacs - Heartfelt Pickin' & Singin' Vol. 1

(Mountain Home MH-05572) 1996

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This "Family and Friends" album from Joe Isaacs features Ralph singing tenor on two tracks: What Would You Give (In Exchange For Your Soul) and Will You Miss Me (When I'm Gone). The album also includes Ricky Skaggs on Rank Stranger, and another former CMB Vernon Derrick plays fiddle on eight cuts (Sword In My Hand, Rank Stranger, Great Master Plan, Pray For Me, Spiritual Strings, Brush Arbor, Paul And Silas and Ezekiel's Wheel).

Other guests include Porter Wagoner, Charlie Louvin and David Marshall with various members of the Isaacs family.

It's a decent enough trad bluegrass-gospel album, with a mix of Joe Isaacs originals, and old favourites. As might be expected The Isaacs contributions are flawless, and for the most part the guest vocalists cut the mustard. Only Charlie Louvin's vocal on Pray For Me is a bit below par.

Highlights are probably Rank Stranger with enthusiastic contribution from Ricky Skaggs on tenor vocal, mandolin & lead guitar.

Joe Isaacs provides lead/tenor vocal and solid banjo / guitar work on the CD. It's note worthy that the banjo on the cover looks like a 50th (or 40th) Anniversary Stanleytone.

Ralph's tenor vocal contribution to the Monroe Bros' What Would You Give (In Exchange For Your Soul) is largely buried in the vocal blend; but slightly more prominent on the Carter Family's Will You Miss Me (When I'm Gone).

Overall the CD is pleasant enough, but one more for Ralph Stanley completists & Isaacs fans.

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