Customer Reviews

1953-59

5 star:		(3)
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These recordings by the Stanley Brothers are by far the finest recordings, in my opinion. These are Mercury recordings from the 50's, which marks the prime of the Stanleys.
Many of these recordings include twin fiddles, which really stand out on "Lonesome Night," recorded in 1956, and released for the first time on this Bear Family collection.
Being a Stanley Brothers fan, I appreciate the fine vocals and instrumentation in these recordings. I strongly reccomend this double cd of not only great classic bluegrass, but a booklet explaining the pesonals of each track, and the very dates of each recording. It definitely is not worth passing up!

The pace picks up a bit on these mid-to-late '50s recordings, made for the Mercury and Blue Ridge labels after the Stanley Brothers had established themselves as co-equals in the bluegrass pantheon, alongsode Bill Monroe and Flatt&Scruggs. This is a sweeping 2-CD set, packed full of Stanley songs that are now standards in the bluegrass canon. A young Art Stamper (who still plays with Ralph Stanley) plays fiddle on about half of these sessions, along with a slew of other hotshot pickers and plunkers. Ralph steps to the fore as well, contributing a fair number of original songs and instrumentals, although admittedly Carter is still the main creative force. The boys also cover a few Bill Monroe tunes (including a couple co-written by Carter Stanley), showing the continuing cross-pollination of these legendary artists. This is a really great, essential collection, with the stellar sound quality that is the trademark of the Bear Family label. HIGHLY recommended.

You can't go wrong for getting this cd or any other cd by the Stanley Brothers,they are just simpley the best in bluegrass,a must for every bluegrass lovers collection.