Mix, Feb 1, 2002
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Ralph Stanley & Friends: Clinch Mountain Sweethearts (Rebel Records)

When they were putting together the marvelous 1999 double-CD Clinch Mountain Country, it became clear to Ralph Stanley and his producer, Bil VornDick, that there were a good number more female artists with whom they would have liked to record. So, VornDick proposed a follow-up, pairing Stanley with just women singers, and this release has the same uncompromising beauty and authenticity as its predecessor. Stanley's voice remains the most powerful instrument in bluegrass, and he doesn't waste his time with pop-crossover; all of the duets here feature women with a sincere affinity for the genre (though not all are country singers). Dolly Parton never sounds sweeter than when she's singing in this vein; Iris Dement deservedly performs on two tracks; and the legendary Melba Montgomery guests on Hank Williams' “You Win Again.” Maria Muldaur, Joan Baez, Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams also appear. As always, Stanley is supported by his talented road band, which includes his son Ralph Stanley II on rhythm guitar.

Producer/engineer: Bil VornDick. Recording/mixing studio: Masterlink Studios (Nashville). Additional recording at Quad Studios (Nashville) and Different Fur Studio (San Francisco). Mastering: Randy LeRoy/Final Stage (Nashville).
— Barbara Schultz