Reviewed by Tony Cummings

As the sleevenote of this 2011 album so rightly observes, "The autumnal recordings of Ralph Stanley are among the last links to the fierce confrontationalism of true Appalachian music. The music, like the people, stood square-jawed in the face of adversity. You can hear pain in every trailing note and struggle in every barbed syllable." But there's more than pain and courage in Ralph's music. As this album shows, there is hope, expectation and even joy coming as he tenderly sings in stark acappella, "I've been thinking about Jesus/Thinking of that wonderful place." It's Ralph's faith which pours from this album. There's also room for "Come All Ye Tenderhearted" (the song also known as "The Carter Country Fire Ballad" and "Two Little Girls") which recounts the tragic tale of Frances McCormack, a Kentucky mountain woman who lost her two beloved children in a house fire. But mostly it's jaunty sacred kneeslappers with plenty of clawhammer banjo and fluid fiddle with lyrics that ask "What Kind Of Man" heals the sick and raises the dead; a haunting celebration on the title track of a praying mother and stark and inspired renditions of Elisha Hoffman's "Are You Washed In The Blood" and Washington Phillips' "Lift Him Up, That's All". It is truly amazing that even at the age of 84 this indomitable mountain man could make music of such poignancy and power.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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