Various Artists - Radio Series Vol. 2

(Wango CD-110) 1998

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This 73:31 min compilation includes another of the 25 or so Radio shows the Stanley Brothers recorded for Ray Davis in Dec. 1963 and all of the material is (I think) unique to this CD.

As with the other shows, Carter had laryngitis at the time and his participation is limited to rhythm guitar plus a short comedy skit with Henry Dockery. Consequently George Shuffler sings lead on Long Black Veil, Late Last Night and Stone Walls And Steel Bars while Henry Dockery sings lead on He Went To Sleep And The Hogs Ate Him. Ralph and George share lead/tenor on one track, Drinking From The Fountain, and the remainder are brief instrumentals, including a version of Midnight Ramble which is listed as Banjo Picking.

The rest of the CD also contains excellent radio broadcasts made by The Basement Band (James King / Danny, Bob & Michael Paisley / Robert & T.J. Lundy and Jon Glik); The Warrior River Boys with David Davis and Scott Brannon, and The Gillis Brothers.

As with the other Wango CD's the 'Radio Series' are not that easy to find. I think they were sold by Ray Davis over the air (or during fund-raising drives for WAMU Radio), with some copies sold at Ralph's gigs. They all contain good stuff, but the main frustration with the Radio Series is that individual songs aren't given their own CD track. ie. this CD has over 30 pieces of content, but only 11 tracks...

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocals
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Henry Dockery: bass
• George Shuffler: lead guitar

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's session, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 173-174 and 204-209.

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