Clinch Mountain Sweethearts, released on Rebel in 2001, is a guest-duets album from Ralph Stanley, pairing the venerated banjoist and mountain tenor with a roster of women singers across its program. Coming on the heels of his Clinch Mountain Country duets project, it casts Stanley's stark, ancient-sounding voice against a range of partners, the contrast throwing his phrasing into relief. His working band anchors the sessions — James Alan Shelton on guitar, Jack Cooke on bass, John Rigsby on mandolin, James Price on fiddle, and Steve Sparkman on banjo. Stanley always described his music as old-time mountain music rather than bluegrass, and the duet format does nothing to soften that severity — if anything it underscores how singular his voice was beside any other. The album extended the late-career visibility Stanley enjoyed in the wake of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? phenomenon.
Tracklist
- 1 Ridin’ That Midnight Train alt version 2:02
- 2 Will You Miss Me alt version 2:55
- 3 Little Willie alt version 2:56
- 4 Oh Death alt version 2:53
- 5 The memory of your smile 3:18
- 6 Are you tired of me, darling 2:17
- 7 Weeping willow 3:08
- 8 Rank Stranger alt version 3:08
- 9 I'll never grow tired of you 2:33
- 10 Trust each other 2:32
- 11 Loving you too well 2:31
- 12 Angel Band alt version 2:15
- 13 You Win Again alt version 2:28
- 14 Hallelujah I’m Ready alt version 2:31
- 15 Farther Along alt version 3:05
- 16 I’ll Remember You Love In My Prayers alt version 2:31
