Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers

For years now, the hippest and most knowledgeable Acts in all areas of Country from AltCountry to Bluegrass and on down to all the Gram Parsons disciples have been mining the Louvin Brothers catalogue for a heart-breakingly beatiful ballad to add some authenticity to their take on the genre. While Parsons might have done it first, Emmylou Harris turned heads and melted hearts when she covered "If I could Only Win Your Love" early in her solo career and released it as a single. At that time (mid to late seventies) Country was moving away from Tradition and more towards handsome Studs in Stetsons, forgetting the timeless appeal of a wellcrafted tune just tailor-made for aching harmonies. Needless to say, Harris had a hit and it was not the first nor the last time that she reached deep into their Ouvre for something sublime. So, the question is... since The Louvins are so good, so cover-ready, why did it take all this time?

The answer is that the New Bluegrass revival...Read more

The Louvin Brothers are one of the most influential country acts ever to appear in this wonderful music business. Their incredible harmony has influenced lots of people like for example Emmylou Harris, Everly Brothers and even The Beatles! This tribute-Cd to the hall of fame brothers is well overdue!!! I want to send a big thanks to producer Carl Jackson who really understand what was great about the Louvin's original versions of songs like "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus", "Are You Teasing Me" and "Must You Throw Dirt In My Face". But the stand out among the songs is easily Glen Campbell and Leslie Satcher's wonderful cover of "When I Stop Dreaming". And second is Merle Haggard with Carl Jackson on Bill Anderson's brilliant song "Must You Throw Dirt In My Face"...but actually there isn't a single bad song on this CD!!! If you intend to buy just one more record this year - then buy this one, you won't regret it!

I generally do not care for a lot of tribute albums. But after reading the other reviews written on this album, I decided to check the listing of artists performing on this album. And I was anxious to hear their renditions of these great songs so I bought it last week. THERE IS NOT ONE BAD SONG ON THIS ALBUM. I have already played it through at least 5 times in only 2 days.

I believe that Ira and Charlie Louvin were the first duo who really kept close harmony on their recordingss. The Everly Brothers came along later in the 50s, and took much of their phrasing and style from the Louvin Brothers.

Ira and Charlie would really be proud of what Carl Jackson did with this production. He has captured the essence of the Louvin Brothers perfectly. I hope that he produces a second volume of their work in the near future.