(Rebel REB-CD-1750) 1998
Ralph II's debut 'solo' CD features the regular CMB's on back-up and was recorded at Maggard Studios in Big Stone Gap, Va in Dec. 1997 and April 1998. Most of the selections are drawn from the extensive Stanley back catalogue, with Mary, Merry Christmas being an unreleased Carter Stanley original, which he wrote during his final days in hospital in Nov. 1966.
The title track, Listen To My Hammer Ring is a cover of an Aubrey Holt song which he recorded on the Boys From Indiana - 'Life On The Road' LP (Atteiram API-1638) 1985, although Charlie Moore had also previously cut the song on his 1975 LP 'The Fiddler' (Old Homestead OHS-90052). Given John Rigsby's track record of digging up obscure bluegrass records for Dr. Ralph to record, I wonder if he thought of doing this one too?
Strolling In The Moonlight is an original by Joe Isaacs, who also also adds his baritone vocal to the song and sings lead on the last verse. Joe had briefly been a CMB in 1969 and helped record two songs with Dr. Ralph and on his Clinch Mountain Country set, which was recorded just prior to Ralph II's 'Listen To The Hammer Ring'. Joe and Dr. Ralph had also collaborated on A Gospel Gathering in 1995.
The other non-Stanley track, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, was originally recorded by Roy Acuff in 1945, and also performed by Hank Williams Snr and several others. Willie Nelson gave the song a new lease of life when he recorded it on his 1975 'Red Headed Stranger' multi-platinum blockbuster album.[1] As Ralph II's later work took on more of a country flavour, maybe this was an early indication of the times to come.
NB: (a) tenor vocal on (4), (12); fiddle on (10), (4) & (5); mandolin on various tracks.
(b) baritone vocal on chorus & lead on last verse of (12).
Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
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A-1 |
Highway Of Regret |
02:11 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Donald 'Chubby' Anthony |
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A-2 |
Mary, Merry Christmas |
02:11 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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C. Stanley |
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A-3 |
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain |
02:39 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Fred Rose |
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A-4 |
Choo Choo Comin' |
02:33 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Corbet 'Cuddles' Newsome |
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A-5 |
God Gave You To Me |
02:10 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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R. Stanley |
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A-6 |
Little Darling Pal Of Mine |
03:32 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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A.P. Carter |
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A-7 |
Katy Daly |
02:12 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Eamon O'Shea arr Paul Mullins |
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A-8 |
Another Song, Another Drink |
03:19 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Joyce Morris |
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A-9 |
I'll Just Go Away |
02:28 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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C. Stanley |
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A-10 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
02:36 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Aubrey Lee Holt |
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A-11 |
Jesus Savior Pilot Me |
02:47 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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J.R. Baxter / J.R. Gould / Edward Hooper |
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A-12 |
Strolling In The Moonlight |
02:46 |
Dec 1997 / Apr 1998 |
Listen To My Hammer Ring |
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Joe Isaacs |
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Eyes_Crying_in_the_Rain
and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Headed_Stranger