I’ve always loved The New Lost City Ramblers’ version of this Civil War song, but Ralph Stanley does a glorious, grassed-up version of it here. From the clear, sweet tone of the cross-picked guitar to the gospel-style harmonies of the chorus, this version of “The Vacant Chair” is exquisite.

For that matter, you might want to investigate this whole album, which almost plays like a “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” for the new millennium. On one disc, songs generally associated with the Union side; on the other, songs generally associated with the Confederacy. A fascinating, ambitious project.