Album Review: Ralph Stanley II – This One Is Two
A traditional country album laced with bluegrass sensibilities, This One Is Two is neither glamorous nor expected–among names like Randy Travis and Patty Loveless, both of whom released outstanding new entries this year, I daresay few people would have thought the best country album of the 2008 to-date would emerge from southwest Virginia at the hands of a bluegrass legend’s son.
That, however, is exactly what Ralph Stanley II has delivered–This One Is Two is a brilliantly written album that showcases a series of choice covers, all of which the singer offers with a calm confidence and a mournful drawl that underlines even the record’s upbeat material, like the rolling Tom T. and Dixie Hall track “Train Songs.”
Many so-called traditional albums sound like direct rebuttals to mainstream country, as if they exist specifically as a counterpoint to the commercialized “pop country” that dominates the genre’s attention. But in trying to record a “traditional” country or “real” country album, artists often become so obsessed with style over substance–thinking that style in itself is substance–that the music no longer feels real or relevant. Traditional country for the sake of traditional country entirely misses the point–it is the rawness and emotional honesty upon which traditional country is built which makes the music engaging, not simply the fact that it utilizes crying steel guitar as opposed to loud-ringing electric solos.
Stanley has not missed the point here, on what can be described as an album that aspires to be nothing other than what it is–wholeheartedly country and bathed in a classic sound that beckons his musical heritage. From the first twang-laden note he sings on the album’s opening track “Cold Shoulder”–which was co-penned by Garth Brooks and appears on his 1991 smash Ropin’ The Wind–it is abundantly clear that there’s not a drop of pop in this singer’s blood.
The album’s greatest strength, however, is its focus. This One Is Two is a cohesive collection of songs that not only speak to emotional truths, but which work together as an exercise in juxtaposition. “L.A. County” (Lyle Lovett) and “They Say I’ll Never Go Home”–which appear back-to-back–both find the singer on the wrong side of the law, in one case innocent but wrongfully sentenced and facing his death, in the other blatantly guilty but taking his own life. Likewise, the album contrasts the unique love of a mother in “Moms Are The Reasons Wildflowers Grow,” with the very different kind of love offered by a barroom beauty in “Loretta” (Townes Van Zandt).
This One Is Two is an album filled with heaven, hell, the road, trains, honky-tonks, mama, longing for home, a little bit of love and a whole lot of heartbreak–all parts which make up the heart of country music. It is not an album for the post-Idol crowd–those people who say they like country, as long as it’s not too twangy; those people who say they like country as long as it’s not slow and sad; those people who say they like country, so long as it’s not too, well, country.
And I’m exceptionally thankful for that because it is, nonetheless, a remarkable record–one made for those of us who not only appreciate but crave all of the above.

Recommended Tracks: “L.A. County“, “They Say I’ll Never Go Home“, “Carter“
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September 8, 2008 at 11:53 am Permalink
This is one of my favorite releases of the year. Even on the cover songs it didn’t feel like he was trying to ape the originals.
It’s interesting that you name “focus” as the album’s greatest strength since he intended to do a half country, half bluegrass album, but went straight country when he realized how well that half was turning out. I don’t think it would have been nearly as good if it were half and half.
September 8, 2008 at 5:30 pm Permalink
You’ve definitely piqued my interest Jim. This sounds like the type of album that will depend on the country blogosphere, satellite radio, and especially word of mouth to generate sales volume. An album of this nature these days just tends to tumble into the “traditional country black hole” in the country music marketplace (to keep Amber Digby and Kimberly Murray company). Top 40 Fluff Country radio won’t touch it (too country) and Bluegrass stations won’t either if its not “bluegrassy” enough in spite of the artist’s heritage. The “Americana” radio realm is always hit and miss while doing its best to toss in every country related genre mainstream radio won’t play whether they are musically compatible or not.
It sounds like you need to have a giveaway contest with multiple copies of this fine album so us die hard traditional country fans around the 9513 can possibly score a freebie! (lol)
PS – I couldn’t agree more about most younger/modern traditional country artists putting the form/style factor of the music far ahead of the substance, which is usually lacking. The handful of radio DJ oriented CDX CDs I’ve purchased are just full of unknown new “traditional” artists that have the style down pat with pointless, repetitive copycat songs you’ve heard a million times before. It is truly a rare artist these days that can fully realize the essence of the best traditional country music in a way that is new and refreshing while maintaining the core attributes of classic country songs. That’s the reason I love the music of Elizabeth Cook, The Wrights, and Ashley Monroe as much as I do. Sounds like Ralph Jr. has joined the club…….
September 8, 2008 at 8:13 pm Permalink
…sounds interesting….will definitely check this one out…thanks for the review!……the 9513 has become my source for new artists!!!
March 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm Permalink
Jim – I’m a bit late here but I finally got around to purchasing this CD after it made your 2008 Best Of list. Thanks. This is what I call country.
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