Shine On (Rebel, 2005)
Ralph Stanley
Reviewed by John Lupton
Many, including Ralph, have commented over the years that bluegrass is only part of what he does, and the 14 tracks here are a textbook example of how deeply traditional his roots run (even though the title track is a Dolly Parton tune). In fact, though he's backed by his current Clinch Mountain Boys, most of the songs are not, strictly speaking, bluegrass. For example, there are two a cappella numbers: a trio (the aforementioned title track) and a quartet ("Sing Songs About Jesus"); "On A High, High Mountain" is a recitation; and "Why Should We Start And Fear To Die" is a hymn, "lined out" in the Primitive Baptist style that Ralph grew up singing. Also worth noting is James Alan Shelton's sterling guitar work.
Even more so than his "O Brother" work, "Shine On" is vintage, dyed-in-the-wool Stanley.
CDs by Ralph Stanley
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