Carter and Ralph Stanley, born on a small farm in Dickenson County, Virginia, recorded this collection of country songs for King Records in Cincinnati in September 1959. King issued it in June 1960 as number 690; the 1986 Gusto edition is a later reissue. The session band was Carter Stanley on guitar, Ralph Stanley on banjo, Bill Napier on mandolin and George Shuffler on bass, and on several tracks Napier and Shuffler join the brothers on baritone and bass parts.
The twelve tracks pair country writers with traditional pieces. “Mountain Dew” is credited to Scott Wiseman; “Tragic Romance” and “It’s Raining Here This Morning” to Grandpa Jones; “Sweet Thing” to Buddy Starcher; and “Shackles and Chains” to Jimmy Davis. “Old Rattler” and “Weeping Willow” are credited as traditional, and on “I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow” Ralph sings the lead. “Mountain Dew” was also issued as a single (King 45-5347).
Tracklist
- 1 Shenandoah Waltz alt version 2:47
- 2 Mountain Dew Source Recording 2:43
- 3 Tragic Romance alt version 3:00
- 4 Sunny Side of the Mountain alt version 2:32
- 5 Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday 2:12
- 6 I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow alt version 2:55
- 7 Sweeter Than The Flowers 3:20
- 8 Old Rattler 2:05
- 9 Weeping Willow alt version 2:23
- 10 Sweet Thing 2:43
- 11 It’s Raining Here this Morning alt version 2:24
- 12 Shackles and Chains Source Recording 2:28
