The
younger Stanley—who’s familiarly known as “Two”—began performing (on
spoons) with his famous dad when he was just three years old. He went
on to become rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist in the Clinch Mountain
Boys. In that capacity, he recorded often with his father. But this is
the first time the two men have released music as artists of equal billing and creative input.
“I’d
just been a Clinch Mountain Boy, a band member with Dad,” Two explains,
“and I was very proud to be that, but we’d never actually done a duet
record like this. Playing with Dad, who’s so much of a legend, could be
intimidating—and he’s had such a great long line of lead singers I
needed to live up to—Carter Stanley in the Stanley Brothers days, then
Larry Sparks, Keith Whitley and Roy Lee Centers.
“But
I’ve been on my own as a solo artist for about five years now and
recorded three albums that way. I’m more experienced and more relaxed
today and ready to show people what I can do with the master himself.
So I felt that this would be a good time for us to team back up. I asked
Dad if he’d be interested in doing something like this with me, and he
said yes, he’d love to.”
A three-time Grammy winner, Ralph Stanley will turn 87 a week after Side By Side is released. He continues to tour and to perform as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Ralph Stanley and Ralph Stanley II
Side By Side: The Songs
“Wild Bill Jones” (Traditional)
“Carolina Mountain Home” (E. Scarborough, L. Wright)
“Dirty Black Coal” (Ralph Stanley, Earl Sykes)
“Walking With You In My Dreams” (Charlie Monroe)
“Don’t Step Over An Old Love” (Fred Stryker)
“Battle Ax” (Arranged by Ralph Stanley)
“Are You Waiting Just For Me” (Ernest Tubb)
“White & Pink Flowers” (Gerald Ellenburg, Shawn Lane)
“A Little At A Time” (Ralph Stanley, M. H. Malone)
“Darling Little Joe” (A. P. Carter)
“Don’t Weep For Me” (Buddy Brock, Gerald Ellenburg, Shawn Lane)
“Six Months Ain’t Long” (Public Domain)
“Nobody Answered Me” (Albert Brumley)
“I’ve Still Got 99” (Public Domain, Arranged by Ledford)
