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The Stanley Brothers - The Angels Are Singing (In Heaven Tonight) / It's Never Too Late

(Columbia 20617) Sep 1949

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The Stanley's third 78 for Columbia was recorded during their first session for the label and couples two more of Carter's originals.

The Angels Are Singing (In Heaven Tonight) is a mournful song about the bereavement of a loved one. It's sounds like it may have been a favourite of Keith Whitley as he sang it on the Keith Whitley & Ricky Skaggs - Tribute To The Stanley Brothers LP, and live versions feauring Keith have resurfaced on the Volume 1 (Recorded Live In 1971) cassette and Live From Bean Blossom 1972 Vol. 2. Ralph II has also sung it on the Jeanie Stanley - Baby Girl CD and the Ralph II Stanley & John Rigsby - Clinch Mountain Echoes album.

It's Never Too Late is similiarly another song about loss, this time a jilted lover pleading for another chance. It too was recorded on the Keith Whitley & Ricky Skaggs - Tribute To The Stanley Brothers LP, and Ralph later cut version with James King (Stanley Brothers Classics) and Bill Wicker (It's Never Too Late).

As with the Little Glass Of Wine / Let Me Be Your Friend (Columbia 20590) release, there was a 7" 33rpm DJ version for Radio Station use.

Both sides of the single can be found on The Complete Columbia Stanley Brothers CD.

For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's session, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 23-25 and 36.