Earl Scruggs casts a large shadow over the world of the 5 string banjo. He is arguably one of the most important instrumentalists in the history of country music. The cascading notes of his banjo played at 100 miles an hour supercharged the budding genre of bluegrass music and changed the image of that instrument forever. Because of this wide swath that he cuts, many casual listeners never get beyond "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" to delve into the exciting world of Bluegrass banjo.
That brings this review to this Album, Banjo in the Hills by the Stanley Brothers. Sure, Ralph Stanley has gained deserved recognition due to his inclusion on the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, but many listeners do not know that as a younger man, Ralph kicked major ass on the 5 string banjo. He was never as flashy as many of his peers, but his rock solid rhythm truly put the "drive" in the Stanley Brothers sound.
This album was originally released in 1963 on the King label as World's Finest Five String Banjo and the released as Banjo in the Hills later on by the Gusto label and although it is all instrumental, the listener should not feel shorted in the least. Ralph brings home the bacon on every track, showing off his straightforward approach to the banjo. Ralph's style is not about pyrotechnics, it is about drive and rhythm, hitting the listener with a machine gun punch that leaves little doubt why this style of Bluegrass music was popular with truck drivers. You simply cannot fall asleep while listening to this stuff.
For this review I will not delve into a song by song review of the album for the simple reason that the whole record is prime. The band is fantastic and along side Ralph's finger lickin' banjo is the groundbreaking lead acoustic guitar playing of George Shuffler. Although the album art dwells somewhere near the top of the list for all time worst album covers, anybody interested in The Stanley Brothers, Banjo or just Bluegrass music in general should pick this up if it is seen at the local used record store or flea market. MEEEOW!
That brings this review to this Album, Banjo in the Hills by the Stanley Brothers. Sure, Ralph Stanley has gained deserved recognition due to his inclusion on the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, but many listeners do not know that as a younger man, Ralph kicked major ass on the 5 string banjo. He was never as flashy as many of his peers, but his rock solid rhythm truly put the "drive" in the Stanley Brothers sound.
This album was originally released in 1963 on the King label as World's Finest Five String Banjo and the released as Banjo in the Hills later on by the Gusto label and although it is all instrumental, the listener should not feel shorted in the least. Ralph brings home the bacon on every track, showing off his straightforward approach to the banjo. Ralph's style is not about pyrotechnics, it is about drive and rhythm, hitting the listener with a machine gun punch that leaves little doubt why this style of Bluegrass music was popular with truck drivers. You simply cannot fall asleep while listening to this stuff.
For this review I will not delve into a song by song review of the album for the simple reason that the whole record is prime. The band is fantastic and along side Ralph's finger lickin' banjo is the groundbreaking lead acoustic guitar playing of George Shuffler. Although the album art dwells somewhere near the top of the list for all time worst album covers, anybody interested in The Stanley Brothers, Banjo or just Bluegrass music in general should pick this up if it is seen at the local used record store or flea market. MEEEOW!
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