Tribute to the Stanley Brothers by Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs, recorded when both were teenagers and released on Jalyn in 1971, is one of the most remarkable debut documents in bluegrass history. The two young Kentuckians had absorbed the Stanley repertoire with near-forensic precision, and their recreation of Carter and Ralph's vocal interplay — Whitley channeling Carter's warm baritone, Skaggs echoing Ralph's high lonesome tenor — is so convincing it startled older listeners who expected imitation and received something closer to resurrection. Ralph Stanley himself recognized the achievement and briefly took them on the road with his band. The album is a precocious statement of stylistic mastery and a poignant artifact given what both careers would become.
Tracklist
- 1 We'll be sweethearts in heaven 2:31
- 2 Mother no longer awaits me at home 2:54
- 3 White Dove alt version 2:57
- 4 Our Last Goodbye alt version 3:03
- 5 Lonesome River alt version 2:33
- 6 I love no one but you 2:20
- 7 The angels are singing in heaven tonight 3:29
- 8 It's never too late 2:53
- 9 Loving you too well 1:56
- 10 Too late to cry 2:09
- 11 Little Glass of Wine alt version 2:44
- 12 I long to see the old folks 2:59