My Life & Legacy: Very Best of Ralph

Those who are familiar with Ralph Stanley and his huge repertoire will immediately realize that this power-packed collection contains almost nothing but his most recognizable and most popular recordings. Those newer fans of his who may have been introduced to Dr. Ralph by way of his now famous versions of MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW and OH DEATH (both of which appeared in the overwhelmingly popular movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?), are in for a real treat as they hear songs and ballads straight out of the mountains.

Stanley, who has been known for years as 'Dr. Ralph', calls his music the old time mountain style of Bluegrass music and he has been playing it for over 70 years now, featuring old ballads like 'Pretty Polly', 'John Henry', 'Hemlocks and Primroses' and 'Little Glass of Wine'. Other gems here include the ever popular 'Train 45', 'Little Maggie', 'Rocky Island' and 'Dream of a Miner s Child'. His dynamic banjo picking is heard on 'Old Time Pickin , his own classic tune 'Clinch Mountain Backstep' and his signature piece 'Little Birdie' in all its frailed glory. 'Bootleg John' and 'Katy Daley' are later songs that Ralph has added to his repertoire, and this 18-song compilation of course includes his classic renditions of 'Oh Death' and 'Man of Constant Sorrow'.

Much of Dr. Ralph s recorded output over the years has consisted of sacred and gospel music, such as the haunting 'I ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages' and the classic 'Amazing Grace' here 'lined out' in the a cappella style learned in his childhood in rural Virginia churches. And collectors will be glad to find the bonus track 'Single Girl, Married Girl' an old Carter Family song that was a favorite of Ralph s late brother Carter.