The Stanley Brothers - Hymns And Sacred Songs

(King KLP-645) Oct 1959

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The Stanley's second album for King was their first all gospel release, and was recorded 10-11th Feb 1959, a couple of months before the release of The Stanley Brothers And The Clinch Mountain Boys debut King LP.

Two singles were released from the sessions prior to the album's release with:- That Home Far Away / How Can We Thank Him For What He Has Done (King 5197) in Apr. 1959; and White Dove / Mother's Footsteps Guide Me On (King 5233) in Aug. 1959. The album's songs were also divided up and released on three EPs (King EP-455), (King EP-456) and (King EP-457). Later, after the album's release The Angel Of Death was issued with Jordan (King 5441) in Jan 1961.

White Dove was of course, a re-recording of one of Carter's finest songs, which they'd originally cut for their first Columbia session in 1949. It has been revisited by Ralph and the Clinch Mountain Boy alumni at least 16 times!

As with their debut, the new original compositions were credited to Carter and Ralph's half-sister, Ruby Rakes.

'Billboard' magazine listed the 'King 645' release as a new album in their 5th Oct 1959 edition, but curiously gave the title as 'Sunday Morning Meeting'. Possibly a typo or a working title? Who knows...^[1]

The album was later reissued in Japan (King VIP 5045) 19?? and on CD (Gusto/King KCD-645) 1988. It has also been reissued as Sacred Songs in Germany. Nowadays it is probably best found on The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961 4xCD box set.

For detailed information on these songs / sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 94-95 and 140-141.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=king+6113+billboard+ralph+stanley&source=bl&ots=WWIoR1R9Up&sig=8zfwv2w1Z9z3UrqXSoEHW44vC1Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM8fjZnsjVAhUIDMAKHZeiDtsQ6AEIPDAD#v=onepage&q=king%206113%20billboard%20ralph%20stanley&f=false