Album Review of
Lord Help Me Find the Way

Written by Joe Ross
September 25, 2019 - 7:54pm EDT
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Dr. Ralph Stanley passed away in 2016, and this is the second album release from his guitar-playing son, Ralph Stanley II, since he took over the Clinch Mountain Boys, a band known for its traditional Virginia bluegrass sound.  With the exception of a personnel change on upright bass (Randall Hibbitts has replaced Noah Brown), the rest of the Clinch Mountain Boys remain the same:  John Rigsby (fiddle, mandolin, harmony vocals) and Alex Leach (banjo, harmony vocals). Ralph Stanley II handles all lead vocals, and the set opens with one of his up-tempo originals, “Jesus On The Mainline.” He also penned the title cut on this gospel project. Other highlights come from songwriters like Donna Ulisse (“New Day In Heaven”), Randall Hylton (“I Hope My Lord Will Let Me In”) and Carl Jackson (“Meet Me In Heaven Someday”). “Beautiful Hills of Home” (composed by Billy and Joan Wise) speaks to the wondrous repertoire of The Stanley Brothers, Carter and Ralph. And, as another tribute to The Stanley Brothers, the album closes with one of their classics, “I Feel Like Going Home,” originally recorded in 1965 with guitarist George Shuffler for King Records. As Ralph’s son sings about seeing the gates of Heaven, we know that sacred music has always been dear to their hearts. This band has found that common emotional ground with its predecessors, and they continue the tradition of that poignant Stanley sound.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)