Side By Side

Ralph Stanley & Ralph Stanley II
“Side by Side”
Label: Rebel Records
Joseph
Reviewed 3/5/14

First co-billed album by bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and his son Ralph II.
Listening to Ralph senior at age 87 is a treat.

1 – (2:14) Wild Bill Jones* Solid rendition, Ralph in terrific voice.
2 – (2:30) Carolina Mountain Home Nice harmony with both Ralphs.
3 – (4:37) Dirty Black Coal* Good ¾ time tune, co-written by Ralph Stanley.
4 – (2:14) Walking With You In My Dreams* Another waltz, really fine.
5 – (2:51) Don’t Step Over An Old Love* Solid, excellent harmony vocals.
6 – (2:22) Battle Ax Ralph plays clawhammer banjo on this instrumental, decent.
7 – (2:47) Are You Waiting Just For Me Mid-tempo tune, OK.
8 – (3:11) White & Pink Flowers So-so track.
9 – (2:32) A Little At A Time* Good version of this Ralph Stanley composition.
10 – (2:29) Darling Little Joe* Up-tempo straight-ahead bluegrass, nice.
11 – (2:14) Don’t Weep For Me* Ralph a capella, very nicely done.
12 – (2:47) Six Months Ain’t Long Pokey, just so-so.
13 – (2:43) Nobody Answered Me Same as above track.
14 – (3:25) I’ve Still Got 99* Ralph senior on lead vocals, really good.