Comments on: Album Review: Ralph Stanley II – This One Is Two

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:31:21 +0000

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.

By: Best Songs Of September ‘08 | The 9513

Best Songs Of September ‘08 | The 9513 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:22:55 +0000

[...] Read the revew of This One Is Two. [...]

By: roger

roger — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:13:24 +0000

…sounds interesting….will definitely check this one out…thanks for the review!……the 9513 has become my source for new artists!!!

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:30:09 +0000

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…….

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:53:35 +0000

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.