Man of Constant Sorrow cover
Released

You could fairly accuse Rebel Records of making a money move here, releasing this compilation of Ralph Stanley songs in the wake of the successful film O Brother, Where Are Thou, during which Stanley sang “Oh Death” in a pivotal scene. But mercenary or not, this collection brings together some of Stanley’s most hair-raising performances: of course, his rendition of the title track leaves the movie version in the dust, but “I Am Weary (Let Me Rest)” and — especially — “Angel Band” are even better.

Rick Anderson

Recommended by

Suggestions
Cut to the Chase cover

Cut to the Chase

Kathy Kallick
Entwined cover

Entwined

Jake Schepps Quintet
Devil In The Seat cover

Devil In The Seat

Foghorn Stringband
Fiddle Fatale cover

Fiddle Fatale

Barbara Lamb
Zilzal cover

Zilzal

Jason Kao Hwang, Ayman Fanous
Hall of Fame Bluegrass! cover

Hall of Fame Bluegrass!

Junior Sisk, Joe Mullins
Wonderland cover

Wonderland

Martha Spencer
Hair & Hide cover

Hair & Hide

George Jackson
Ralph Stanley cover

Ralph Stanley

Ralph Stanley
12 Songs cover

12 Songs

Jenny Scheinman