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The Stanley Brothers - Calling From Heaven / Harbor Of Love

(Mercury 70483) Nov 1954

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The single was recorded at the Stanley's fourth session for Mercury, which was the one where Bill Monroe oversaw their recording of Blue Moon Of Kentucky. The session is notable for being the first time the Stanley's used lead guitar, which was played by Charlie Cline. Charlie was in Monroe's 'Blue Grass Boys' at the time.

An advert shortly before the single was released appeared in the 6th Nov 1954 edition of 'Billboard', with Calling From Heaven given dominant billing. Arguably, Harbor Of Love is a much stronger track, and in 'Billboard's review on 4th Dec 1954, it was listed first, being described as:- "The chanters(?) award the happy sacred ballad a persuasive performance. Backing by a string band is effective. Should do well in the Bible belt." By contrast, Calling From Heaven was described briefly as:- "Another strong disking of attractive material."^[1]

Harbor Of Love was later re-recorded by The Stanley Brothers in 1962 for their Good Old Camp Meeting Songs LP, and Ralph later cut a version for his Snow Covered Mound album. He also cut four collaborative versions: Bill Monroe - Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord (1991) Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley - I Feel Like Singing Today (1999); Cumberland Highlanders - Cumberland Mountain Home (2000); and Jeanie Stanley - Baby Girl. The liner notes to Cumberland Mountain Home, suggest that Harbor Of Love is Jimmie Stanley's favourite Stanley Brothers song.

Both sides of the single can now be found on The Complete Mercury Recordings 2xCD set.

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's session, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, 45-49 and 71-72.

^{[1] https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LCMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50&lpg=PA50&dq=billboard+70483+Mercury+harbor+of+love&source=bl&ots=TsG5VXwh6s&sig=2GTDtnuvG3s_nITFqJLV8j6yTrU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiA8d7544HVAhWqAMAKHYBhC48Q6AEIKjAB#v=onepage&q=billboard%2070483%20Mercury%20harbor%20of%20love&f=false}