Sacred Songs From the Hills by The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys, reissued in 2006 from earlier recordings, preserves one of the most important gospel repertoires in bluegrass history in the voices that gave it definitive form. Ralph and Carter Stanley recorded sacred material throughout their career, and these songs — including "Rock of Ages" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" — are performed with the modal, minor-key intensity that distinguishes the Stanley Brothers' approach from any other gospel tradition in American music. Carter's lead tenor and Ralph's high lonesome harmony create a sound that references old-time mountain singing more directly than any other bluegrass act of their generation. These recordings remain the standard by which all subsequent bluegrass gospel is measured.
Tracklist
- 1 The Master's Bouquet 2:26
- 2 In Heaven, We'll Never Grow Old 2:28
- 3 I Saw the Light alt version 2:43
- 4 Where We'll Never Die 2:22
- 5 The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn alt version 2:52
- 6 Rock of Ages Source Recording 2:52
- 7 Let The Church Roll On 2:07
- 8 Rank Strangers To Me 3:05
- 9 I’m Ready to Go alt version 2:12
- 10 Mother No Longer Awaits Me 3:00
- 11 A Few More Seasons 2:45
- 12 What a Friend We Have in Jesus Source Recording 3:33
