Selected Singles 1953-1960

Musical brothers and bluegrass music are almost synonymous with each other. Many of the greats of the genre were siblings - Bill and Charlie Monroe, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Bobby and Sonny Osborne being three of the most famous family names of this rural variant of hillbilly music. Among the most famous of all the actual brother acts in bluegrass, Carter and Ralph Stanley are without peer.

In a recording career that began in the late 1940s and that stalled in the mid-60s after Carter Stanley tragically drank himself to death - at which point Ralph began a second, even more successful career that spanned the next half century - the Stanley Brothers recorded and introduced some of the finest bluegrass recordings made by anyone, at any time.

This Jasmine collection brings together the best of their sides for the Mercury, Starday and King labels from the 1950s and early 60s - a period during which they were at their peak as performers, and one that produced some of the most important and essential bluegrass recordings of all.

As well as exceptional vocal and instrumental skills, this compilation shows the breadth of material in the Stanley's discography. Sacred songs, seasonal songs, covers of R&B hits and indeed one of Mr. Monroe's 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky' performed in the style of Elvis Presley's Sun recording - these are just a few of the delights in store for you here. Naturally it also includes their most famous recording of 'I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow', a song that underwent a rebirth of popularity after being featured in the soundtrack of the film 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?'