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Cry from the Cross

 
Album Review: Cry from the Cross

  • Artist: Ralph Stanley
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: May 22, 2001
  • Genre: Country

Review

Originally released on LP in 1972, this was the first album Ralph Stanley recorded with what many still consider the best band he ever had, one that included not only lead singer Roy Lee Centers (whose vocal similarity to Stanley's late brother, Ralph, was positively eerie), fiddler Curly Ray Cline, and bassist Jack Cooke, but also the young mandolinist Ricky Skaggs and guitarist Keith Whitley. Stanley had discovered Skaggs and Whitley playing old-timey brother duets in a club and was so taken with them that he invited them to tour with him, thus creating one of bluegrass history's legendary lineups. The material on Cry From the Cross is rendered expertly, but without any slickness; Stanley's rough-edged tenor voice dominates, as always, and the instrumental backing tends to be minimal. "Bright Morning Star" and "Sinner Man" are both performed a cappella, and the gripping "Two Coats," which would go on to become a staple of the Stanley repertoire, is here given a sharp-edged modal delivery that perfectly complements the song's stern moral message. This album is clearly a must for Stanley fans and will also serve as a good introduction for newcomers. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Cry from the Cross Johnnie Masters Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:51)
You're Drifting On Ralph Stanley, Carter Stanley, Ralph & Carter Stanley Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (1:58)
Will He Wait a Little Longer Ralph Stanley, Carter Stanley, Ralph & Carter Stanley Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:10)
Bright Morning Star Traditional Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:34)
Death Is Only a Dream Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:51)
Come on Little Children J.D. Jarvis Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (1:37)
Take Your Shoes off Moses J.D. Jarvis Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:19)
Stairway to Heaven Bill Grant Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:38)
I Am the Man, Thomas Traditional Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (1:59)
Step Out in the Sunshine Lizzie De Armond Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (1:41)
Sinner Man Traditional Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:35)
Two Coats Ralph Stanley, Traditional Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain Boys (2:40)

Credits

Keith Whitley (Vocals), Charles R. Freeland (Producer), Ralph Stanley (Banjo), Jack Cooke (Clapping), Keith Whitley (Guitar), Cliff Waldron (Clapping), Roy Homer (Engineer), Jack Cooke (Vocals), Jack Cooke (Bass), Clinch Mountain Boys (Performer), Roy Lee Centers (Vocals), Mark Freeman (Production Coordination), Roy Lee Centers (Guitar), Ricky Skaggs (Mandolin), David Glasser (Mastering), Ed Ferris (Bass), Ronnie Bucke (Photography), Gary B. Reid (Liner Notes), Curley Ray Cline (Fiddle), Ralph Stanley (Tenor (Vocal)), Ricky Skaggs (Fiddle)
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more