Danny Lee Davis - Coal Black Rock

(So Deep In The Earth)

(No label No #) 2006

---

This CD-R was recorded at Maggard Sound Studios in Big Stone Gap, Va. and features several CMB's backing Danny Lee Davis. It is a pretty good effort, and for fans of the Stanley style, well worth seeking out.

Danny had filled in on occasions for Jack Cooke, including a trip with the CMB's to California^[1] and also played Stanley-style banjo for a time with Sammy Adkins.^[2] He also appears with the CMBs (on guitar) on some of the 'Cumberland Highlanders' TV shows filmed at (I think) the 2008 Jerusalem Ridge Festival.

Ralph sings backing on the two original tracks, Coal Black Rock and Church In The Sky, which are both decent songs in the Stanley traition. The two recordings were later also included on Danny's 'The Long Goodbye' CD-R.

In 2014, Danny also appeared singing on a TV commercial for Yellawood. You can hear the Hard Work song on youtube, and if you're in the States can also download the MP3.

The cover shot for 'Coal Black Rock' is credited to another former CMB, Troy 'Renfro' Profitt.

Finally, it's worth searching youtube, which has several Danny Lee Davis clips... just make sure you don't confuse him with the Danny Davis of the Nashville Brass!

• Danny Lee Davis: lead & tenor vocals(*)
• Ralph Stanley: vocals (**)
• Junior Blankenship: lead & rhythm guitar
• Dewey Brown: fiddle
• Chris Davis: mandolin
• Matt Madden: bass
• Steve Sparkman: banjo

NB: (*) and banjo on John Hardy
(**) Ralph sings backing on Coal Black Rock and Church In The Sky.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Bluegrass Unlimited 'Notes & Queries' June 2014 (p. 20-21); Sept. 2014 (p. 16); & Dec. 2014 (p. 14)
[2] eg:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OKhkn_p1ZY