Earliest Recordings

The Stanley Brothers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1947
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Revenant Records
• ASIN: B000001Z3W
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,166 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A terrific place to hear the genius as it sprouted., September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Earliest Recordings (Audio CD)

Another fine unearthing from the Revenant stable - the perfect label to stand tall & show us how real American music was made before 1998. The Stanley Brothers have long been recognized as one of bluegrass' hall of fame acts, but these early 78s have barely been available since their release 40 years ago. The recordings serve as a mighty impressive "bridge" between true homespun old-time mountain music and the soon-popularized version of bluegrass that grew from great sessions like these. Recorded over five years in various radio studios (including on the "Farm And Fun Time" program), the Stanleys move delicately from smoothly-plucked duets through blinding backporch rave-ups, pausing at times to give the strong tenor of Ralph Stanley a workout on numbers like the golden "Little Maggie". In fact I'll take Ralph's stuff over many of the harmonizing duets, which at times border on the slightly saccharine. As the quartet coalesced around a tighter line-up, their ability to update their better numbers such as the terrific 1952 re-do of "Little Glass Of Wine" was showcased. The Stanley Brothers had a truly winning formula that they spread out over several of these songs - sometimes the exact same tune & cadence, just with different words. You'll find the gentlemen listed just about anywhere in a history of U.S. mountain sounds, and this deluxe package is as good a place as any to hear the legend as it sprouted.