Various Artists - Radio Series Vol. 4

(Wango CD-114) 2000

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The fourth installment of "Radio Series" includes just over 22 min. of Stanley Brothers material which they recorded for Ray Davis in Dec. 1963. As other shows the Stanleys recorded usually lasted around 15mins, it seems this is a combination of two or more, although the 'join' isn't obvious.

As with the other shows, Carter had laryngitis at the time and his participation is largely limited to rhythm guitar plus the occasional introduction and comedy routine. Ralph's banjo work is featured quite prominently, with an excellent rendition of Pretty Polly and a few short instrumentals. Ralph also sings lead vocal on Going To Georgia and performs a rare rendition of Bill Monroe's Pike County Breakdown, which Ralph played live but didn't otherwise record until 1971.^[1] Also it's worth mentioning that although Cotton Eyed Joe is shown on the artwork, the CD features a short banjo rendition of Cumberland Gap.

George Shuffler also sings lead on several numbers including Old Love Letters, God Gave You To Me and I Cried Again.

As usual, 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, Owen Saunders and Scott Brannon.

All the Wango CD's including 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...

The Stanley's version of Pretty Polly from this CD also resurfaced on Plum Pitiful, Vol. 1, which came out the same year.

Playing time is approx 72:32 min.

• 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.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Ralph recorded Pike County Breakdown on Curly Ray Cline's They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree LP.