The Stanley Brothers - The Old Home / The Fields Have Turned Brown

(Columbia 20667) 1950

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This was the first single to be released from the Stanley's second session for Columbia in Nov 1949. From the catalogue number it is likely to have been issued around Feb 1950.

The classic The Fields Have Turned Brown features the Stanley's signature three-part vocal including Pee Wee Lambert's high-baritone, whilst The Old Home is sung as a duet between Carter and Pee Wee Lambert.

The Fields Have Turned Brown was recorded again by Ralph for his 1973 LP I Want To Preach The Gospel, and with Charlie Waller / Judy Marshall in 1992 for this Saturday Night / Sunday Morning 2xCD. A version of The Old Home was also released on the Ralph's 1987 Reunion album with George Shuffler and James King.

An alternate take of The Fields Have Turned Brown can also be found on the Bear CD anthology Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys 1949-52. This has a different fiddle kick-off/intro, a slightly different mandolin break and different vocal phrasing on the first verse by Carter. Ralph's banjo is also less prominent in places.

Both sides of the single can be found on The Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers CD.

Thanks to Bill Sanguinetti for the 78 label photos.

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's session, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 26-28 and 37.

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