Various Artists - Plum Pitiful, Vol. 1

(Wango CD-115) 2000

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This Wango compilation includes The Stanley Brothers Dec. 1963 version of Pretty Polly which is also featured on Radio Series Vol. 4; and Little Glass Of Wine which is from the Reunion - Featuring George Shuffler & James King CD which Ralph recorded 14-15th March 1987.

The CD looks like it was released at the same time as Plum Pitiful, Vol. 2, which contains more Stanley related cuts from Ray Davis' basement studio; and material from both discs was later distilled into the 20-track Time-Life compilation CD Plum Pitiful in 2004.

From this CD, the tracks which also appear on the Time Life version include: Stanley Brothers - Pretty Polly; Warrior River Boys - Down In The Willow Garden & The Long Black Veil; Ralph Stanley & James King - Little Glass Of Wine; Don Reno & Bill Harrell - Little Maggie & Darlin' Little Joe; Scott Brannon - Old Shep; James King & David Davis - Memories Of Mother And Dad; David Davis & Scott Brannon - Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine; and the Ray Davis' Christmas recitation - Orphan Joe.

As with the other Wango releases there is some fine mournful trad bluegrass on offer, but with duplication of some tracks from other Wango CDs.

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's Wango sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 173-176, 180-183, 186-189, 204-212, and 215-216.

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