A newly released tribute album honoring the legendary Stanley Brothers features what has become Dolly Parton’s first posthumous recording. The track, a spirited rendition of the traditional song “Bound to Ride,” was recorded by Parton at her personal studio during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, marking a departure from the project’s typical approach of capturing live studio sessions.
The album, titled “Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers,” launches October 16 and brings together an impressive roster of country and bluegrass artists. The collaborative project includes performances by Willie Nelson and Sierra Ferrell, Jamey Johnson, Dierks Bentley, and numerous other musicians interpreting the Stanley Brothers’ influential catalog. The tribute was timed to coincide with the Stanley Brothers’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Parton’s contribution stands as a particularly poignant addition to the collection. The First Ladies of Bluegrass laid down a backing track for her performance, which they later rearranged to include a newly composed bridge. During the recording, Parton personally addressed each band member by name, an emotional moment that deeply affected the musicians involved in the project.
Produced by husband-and-wife team Alison Brown and Garry West of Compass Records, the album aims to highlight the profound legacy of the Stanley Brothers, whose innovative blend of string-band music and mountain ballads influenced countless artists across multiple genres.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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