(Rebel SLP 1509) 1971
This album was recorded on the 11-12th December 1971, after the band had finished recording The Old County Church, at Roy Homer's basement studio.
I reckon many will consider this one of Curly's best releases.
Consisting largely of a mix of fiddle tunes, it features just two Curly Ray vocal numbers: a version of The Delmore Brothers' Farmer's Girl; and the title track They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree. The latter is a catchy number recalling the sad tale of how they cut done the old pine tree to make a coffin for his sweetheart, who would never be alone 'in the grave tonight' because his heart would always be with her... Although credited on the LP to Curly Ray, it was first issued in 1930 on a 78 by Gene And Glenn[1] and was recorded by several artists including Gene Autry[2] and The Tune Wranglers[3].
Curly's version just repeats one verse and the chorus:
"When they cut down the old pine tree
And they halled it away to the mill
To make a coffin of pine for that sweetheart of mine
When they cut down the old pine tree
She's not alone in her grave tonight
For there my heart will always be
Though we drifted apart when they cut down my heart
When they cut down the old pine tree"
Of the other versions I've heard, The Tune Wranglers is the closest lyrical match I've found to Curlys...
The album also has two breakdowns. Curly had previously recorded the excellent Lonesome Pine Breakdown with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers for RCA Victor in 1953.[4] Then there's a version of Bill Monroe's Pike County Breakdown, which the Stanley Brothers had also performed but never recorded.[5] This version features Curly, Ricky, Keith and Ralph taking breaks. Great stuff!
Each LP side concludes neatly with a instrumental Gospel tune.
Curly had previously cut a version of Lost Girl on The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers LP 'More Bluegrass' (Starday SLP-222) 1963.
Thanks to Billy Q. Smith for the update on They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree song.
Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
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A-1 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
02:10 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Willie Raskin / George Brown / Edward Eliscu |
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Ld Vcl / Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Tn Vcl / Ld Gtr | HiBt Vcl / Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
A-2 |
Mississippi Sawyer |
02:44 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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P.D. |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
A-3 |
Sweet Thing |
02:07 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Buddy Starcher |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Fid | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
A-4 |
Lonesome Pine Breakdown |
02:09 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Curly Ray Cline |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
A-5 |
Lost Girl |
02:04 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Curly Ray Cline |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
A-6 |
Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Saviour |
02:34 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Fanny Jane Crosby |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Fid | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-1 |
Farmer's Girl |
02:10 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Alton Delmore / Rabon Delmore |
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Ld Vcl / Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Tn Vcl / Ld Gtr | HiBt Vcl / Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-2 |
Sally Goodin |
02:20 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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P.D. |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-3 |
Tennessee Waltz |
02:15 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Pee Wee King / Redd Stewart |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Fid | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-4 |
Big Daddy Blues |
02:37 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Curly Ray Cline |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-5 |
Pike County Breakdown |
01:59 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Rupert Jones (Bill Monroe) |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Mnd | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke | ||||||||||||||||
B-6 |
Precious Memories |
02:21 |
11-12 Dec 1971 |
They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree |
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Johnnie Wright |
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Fid | Bjo | Gtr | Ld Gtr | Fid | Bs | ||||||||||||||||
Curly Ray Cline |
Ralph Stanley |
Roy Lee Centers |
Keith Whitley |
Ricky Skaggs |
Jack Cooke |
[1] https://www.discogs.com/release/7756605-Gene-And-Glenn-Whippoorwill-They-Cut-Down-The-Old-Pine-Tree
[2] https://www.discogs.com/release/5639186-Gene-Autry-They-Cut-Down-The-Old-Pine-Tree
[3] https://www.discogs.com/master/1231149-The-Tune-Wranglers-They-Cut-Down-The-Old-Pine-Tree-Ill-Be-Hanged-If-Theyre-Goin-To-Hang-Me
[4] Liner notes to The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers - Windy Mountain CD (Bear BCD-16351-AH) 1992.
[5] Versions of Pike County Breakdown by The Stanley Brothers can be found on Stanley Series Vol. 3 No. 4; and V/A - Radio Series Vol. 4.