Short Life of Trouble: Songs of Grayson and Whitter, released by Rebel Records on October 8, 1996, is Ralph Stanley's tribute to the early-country duo whose 1927-29 recordings — fewer than two dozen sides — had been a foundational influence on Carter and Ralph Stanley and through them on Bill Monroe and the wider bluegrass tradition. Recorded at Maggard Studio in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the program covers twelve Grayson and Whitter songs including Train 45, Rose Conley, Nine Pound Hammer, Handsome Molly, and the title piece. The Clinch Mountain Boys frame Stanley's banjo and tenor for an album that locates one of the deepest source-streams of his music.
Tracklist
- 1 Reuben alt version 2:54
- 2 Down in the Willow Garden alt version 4:46
- 3 Joking Henry 1:54
- 4 Nobody's Darling 3:08
- 5 I’ve Always Been a Rambler Source Recording 2:47
- 6 Short Life of Trouble Source Recording 2:21
- 7 Nine Pound Hammer alt version 2:55
- 8 Handsome Molly Source Recording 2:03
- 9 Shout Lula 1:48
- 10 He's Coming Back To Us Dead 2:10
- 11 A Dark Road Is A Hard Road To Travel 3:03
- 12 On The Banks Of Old Tennessee 2:09