Shine on

Ralph Stanley and his powerful and inspiring band do a great job as always with "Shine On." One of the strong aspects of this album is the versatility of the arrangement styles and harmony styles. I love the old time gospel style of four part harmonies which are showcased well with "Sing Songs about Jesus", and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Also of course I love the featuring of different lead singers that is always a strong focus of bluegrass music. Ralph II does and excellent job with "My Main Trial is Yet to Come." Ralph II is one, if not the best lead singers in bluegrass music today. He is just as good as the best that Ralph has had over the years.

I have seen this band several times live and I must admit Ralph needs to feature John Rigsby more on lead in albums because of his unique sound. Rigsby is an excellent versatile musician who can just about play and sing anything. His lead singing on "The Lowest Valley" is really beautiful and breathtaking. Of...Read more

Playing Time - 40:04 -- After listening to a number of new acoustic and country releases, I always come back to queue up and appreciate some good old-time mountain music. Ralph Stanley's `Shine On" is a bluegrass gospel album that makes us not only treasure musical roots but also to revel in the glory of God. Of course, Ralph Stanley likes to sing gospel. He believes in it, and a lot of others do too. Ralph once said, "We were raised in the churches. We were raised to sing gospel and respect gospel music. I'm not necessarily trying to convert people with it, but it would tickle me if I knew I did. And which, I have got letters and so forth from people that said it had, you know, and I feel good that they do."

Singing and playing in a lonesome style full of feeling, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (John Rigsby, Ralph Stanley II, Steve Sparkman, James Alan Shelton, Jack Cooke) choose material from the traditional canon as well as from contemporary songwriters...Read more

This is an outstanding project by one of the few remaining pioneers in American music. This is a must for any bluegrass fan or traditional gospel music fan.