The Stanley Brothers - On Radio

(Rebel REB-CD-1115) 1991

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This is a CD reissue of the On Radio, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 LPs, and features radio recordings the Stanley Brothers made for the "Jim Walter Jamboree" show, whilst they were based in Live Oak, Fl. Jim Walter had been running a business building "shell" homes since 1946^[1] and sponsored The Stanley Brothers for a few years in the early 1960s, with a TV show and this syndicated radio show.

The programs aren't dated, but probably date from around March/April 1960.^[2]

Like the 'Stanley Series' this album is priceless, capturing the Stanley Brothers in fine form, and featuring the excellent Chubby Anthony, Ralph Mayo and Bill Napier. It's also interesting to hear Carter's ultra smooth emcee work, seemlessly working in plugs for 'Jim Walter's homes'.

In addition to the more familiar Stanley Brothers songs, the CD includes versions of Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms, Black Mountain Blues, Mississippi Sawyer, Uncle Pen, Heaven, Fire On The Mountain, Whoa Mule and He Will Set Your Fields On Fire which I don't think the Stanley Brothers otherwise recorded in the studio.

Liner notes by Gary B. Reid and Penny Parsons. Cover Artwork features a painting by Karen Artis, who also did the cover and some photographs for Bob Artis' 1975 book 'Bluegrass'.

There are some minor differences between the CD and the two LPs, with the closing theme's from Side 1 and opening theme's from Side 2 being omitted along with a small amount of dialogue. Two of Carter's adverts for 'Jim Walter's Homes' are re-sequenced, to cover the gaps caused by the omission of the opening/closing themes, and another plug for 'Jim Walter's Homes' from Vol. 2 isn't on the CD.

For more detailed breakdown and background to these radio shows, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 106-107 and 144-146.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] see http://www.searshomes.org/index.php/2014/12/16/jim-walter-homes-a-peek-inside-the-1971-catalog/
[2] see Vol. 1