(Rebel REB-CD-1687) 1990
This Gospel album was recorded on 5th December 1990 at Maggard Sound Studio, Big Stone Gap, Va.
Pray For The Boys by Videt Richard Polk was essentially recorded as a tribute to the US troops who were then preparing for action against the Iraqi forces in Kuwait. The song had previously been cut by The Stanley Brothers at their last session for King in September 1965 (at the time of the Vietnam war); and by Flatt & Scruggs in 1952 (Korean war).[1] Polk was a noted Gospel singer, teacher and songwriter from Baton Rouge, La.[2]
Searching For A Soldier's Grave (aka Soldier's Grave), although credited to Roy Acuff was actually written by The Bailes Brothers.[3] The Stanley Brothers had previously recorded it at their last King session.
City Of Gold was written by Larry Efaw, and had previously been recorded with Ralph on the Larry Efaw & Ralph Stanley - I Worship You cassette as Light To Guide Me. Larry is leader of Larry Efaw and The Bluegrass Mountaineers, and they have a CDR 'Clinch Mountain Tradition - A Tribute To The Stanley Brothers' available via their website.[4]
Old Man Death and Snap A Finger Jesus were written by John B. Preston, who had earlier provided material for Ralph's Lonesome And Blue, Clinch Mountain Gospel and I'll Wear A White Robe albums.
Give Me Wings by Gerald Evans, had previously been recorded by Bill Monroe in 1988 on his 'Southern Flavor' album. Gerald had played with The Goins Brothers, and recorded the track a cappella with the spin-off Shed House Trio Give Me Wings 1988. He later played with Traditional Grass and died in 2010.[5]
Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
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A-1 |
Pray For The Boys |
02:24 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Videt Polk |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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A-2 |
Old Man Death |
02:39 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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John Brenton Preston |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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A-3 |
Looking Through A Spiritual Window |
02:31 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Ron Cooke |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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A-4 |
Wayfaring Stranger |
03:56 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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P.D. arr R. Stanley |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-5 |
City Of Gold |
02:43 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Larry Efaw |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-6 |
Give Me Wings |
01:50 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Gerald Evans |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-7 |
God's Great Chariot |
02:03 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Mike Sage |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-8 |
Searching For A Soldier's Grave |
02:41 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Jim Anglin / Jack Anglin / Johnnie Wright |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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A-9 |
He Keeps Leading Me On |
01:40 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Terry Tidwell |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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A-10 |
Beautiful (Is The Land Where I'm Going) |
02:15 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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Judy Marshall |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-11 |
Snap A Finger Jesus |
02:39 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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John Brenton Preston |
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Tn Vcl - Bjo | Ld Vcl - Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
|
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A-12 |
Look What I've Traded |
02:29 |
05 Dec 1990 |
Pray For The Boys |
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R. Stanley |
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Bjo | Gtr | Fid | Ld Gtr | Bs | |||||||||||||||||
Ralph Stanley |
Ernie Thacker |
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph 'Hank' Smith |
Jack Cooke |
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NB: Liner notes don't specify instruments/vocal parts for individual tracks.
[1] Liner Notes to The Stanley Brothers - 'The King Years 1961-1965' (King KG-0950-2) 2003 and Flatt & Scruggs - 1948-1959 (Bear BCD 15472 DH) 1991.
[2] Videt Polk memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=70522397
[3] Gary B. Reid's book 'The Music Of The Stanley Brothers' (p.194)
[4] http://www.bluegrassmountaineers.net/bgm_home.htm
[5] http://bluegrasstoday.com/gerald-evans-rip/