Bluegrass Gospel Favorites, recorded for Starday in 1965, documents the Stanley Brothers near the end of their recording career together — Carter Stanley would die the following year — in material that had always been central to their identity and their audience. The Clinch Mountain Boys were expert at the close, modal harmonies that give mountain gospel its otherworldly quality, and recordings like "Farther Along" demonstrate the full measure of that gift. Carter's lead voice, already showing the strain of his illness, carries a vulnerability that gives the performances an unplanned poignancy. Ralph's banjo maintains its characteristic bare-knuckle drive. The album is among the essential documents of mountain sacred music.
Tracklist
- 1 Where could I go 1:11
- 2 An empty mansion 1:13
- 3 Where the Soul Never Dies alt version 1:00
- 4 Dust on the Bible 1:12
- 5 Farther Along Source Recording 3:05
- 6 I Feel Like Traveling On alt version 1:20
- 7 I need the prayers 1:35
- 8 Softly and tenderly 1:35
- 9 When the saints go marching in 0:58
- 10 The sweet bye and bye 1:25
- 11 Take my hand precious Lord 1:30
- 12 When I reach that city 1:15
- 13 Won't it be wonderful there 1:08
- 14 Hold fast to the right 1:35
- 15 Matthew 24 1:05
- 16 Lonesome valley 1:10
- 17 Keep on the Sunny Side alt version 1:05
- 18 How about you 1:30
- 19 The glory land way 1:10
- 20 Precious Memories alt version 1:10
- 21 Heaven's light is shining on me 1:00
- 22 Lord I’m Coming Home alt version 2:47
