Various Artists - Radio Series Vol. 3

(Wango CD-113) 2000

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The third in Ray Davis' "Radio Series" includes extracts from the 25 or so Radio shows the Stanley Brothers recorded in Dec. 1963.

At the time of recording Carter had laryngitis and his participation is largely limited to rhythm guitar plus a short comedy skit with Henry Dockery. Consequently George Shuffler sings lead on I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome and Henry Dockery fills Carter's shoes on How Far To Little Rock. Ralph and George also duet on one track, Someone's Last Day, and the remainder are brief instrumentals, including Carter's Boogie with Carter and George Shuffler trading guitar licks. The tune was also released on John's Country Quartet as Mountain Pickin'.

The version of Little Birdie on this CD is the same as on the 1976 On Air LP, but is better sound quality and has Ralph's spoken word intro & edited spoken outro.

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

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...

Playing time is approx 72:36 min.

Thanks to Chris Wing for the loan of this CD!

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.

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

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