The Stanley Brothers Rank Stranger Enshrined

The Library of Congress has released the 25 recordings selected this year to be preserved for all time as part of the National Recording Registry. Included in the 25 is The Stanley Brothers recording of "Rank Stranger."

The Stanley Brothers, one of the premier bands of the formative days of bluegrass, included sacred songs as a featured part of their performances. Their recording of “Rank Stranger,” written by famed gospel songwriter Albert E. Brumley Sr. and sung with reverence and simplicity in the traditional mountain style, shows why the Stanley Brothers continue to influence performers today. Carter Stanley’s masterful handling of the verses and his brother Ralph’s soaring tenor refrain produce a distinctive duet. The spare accompaniment of unamplified guitar and mandolin and the emotional call-and-response style vocals heighten the emotional anguish of the lyric.

Image Caption: The Stanley Brothers; Image Credit: Album cover: Stanley Series, Volume 3, Number 2, Copper Creek Records CCSS-V3N2