The Stanley Brothers - A Beautiful Life:

"Singing Pure As A Mountain Stream"

(Rimrock RLP-200) c1967

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This gospel album, along with An Empty Mansion was recorded in December 1965 at Wayne Raney's studio in Concord, Arkansas, but wasn't released until 1967.^[1] At the time it was recorded, the Stanleys were inbetween contracts with King.^[2]

It was the last studio session to feature Carter, and although his vocals are ok, the performances are generally a bit lacklustre. (Or more likely, I'm just be suffering from gospel overload at the moment).

The history of this album is a bit convoluted, but I think the Rimrock sleeve and track list shown are for a 2nd issue. There were I believe four earlier albums with the same catalogue number (RLP-200). Three were split albums featuring one side by The Stanleys and one side by Jackie & Larry Dickson. Two were entitled "A Beautiful Life" with different landscape pictures on the front, and the other was entitled Goes To Europe. The three Stanley Brothers tracks which were omitted from these split albums, were featured on the V/A - 16 Gospel Hall Of Fame (Rimrock 1003) LP c1967... A fourth 'RLP-200' album is shown on the rear sleeve of the earlier copies of Goes To Europe, and is titled as 'The World Famous Stanley Brothers - Singing Pure As A Mountain Stream'. According to Charley Pennell's Bluegrass Discography, this version was released in March 1967, and has the same tracks as listed below.

At least one of the landscape covers used on the split album was also used for the Stanley-only LP, with the reference to Jackie & Larry Dickson blanked out.

The full version of the album was reissued (Old Homestead OHCS-119) 1978 and on CD (Old Homestead OHCD-119) 1999. A further CD-R release followed in 2008, although I don't have a copy of that to scan.

Thanks to Chris Wing for the scans of the Old Homestead LP and 1999 CD covers, and to Gary Reid for the redacted cover photos.

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocals
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Ralph Mayo: fiddle
• George Shuffler: lead guitar, bass

For detailed information on these sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 194-196 and 219-220.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Gary B. Reid's book "The Music Of The Stanley Brothers" (p194-196)
[2] A letter dated 27th Feb 1967 to DJ's by Norman Carlson, Indiana Representative of The Stanley Brothers & Bill Monroe Fan Club, reprinted in the 'Stanley Standard' Memorial Issue (p.58) says:- "RIMROCK 200, one side exclusive material recorded by The Stanleys between contracts, is also available.".