Ira and Charlie Louvin (they were cousins of country singer/songwriter John D. Loudermilk) were a powerful and distinctive force in country music through the '50s until their break-up in 1963, their music firmly rooted in their Southern Baptist upbringing, although they achieved huge success as long-time Grand Ole Opry members and with secular hits like "Cash On The Barrelhead", "When I Stop Dreaming", "Running Wild" and the No. 1 "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby". With Ira's trademark mandolin and their extraordinary blend of voices, they were among the genre's most individual stylists, and influenced many later artists, such as The Everly Brothers, whose vocal harmonies very much echo those of The Louvin Brothers, and others including Gram Parsons and The Byrds - The Byrds recorded the Louvins' "The Christian Life". This collection captures the flavour and progression of their music from their recording debut through to their break-up in 1963, occasioned by Ira's heavy drinking and violently unpredictable behaviour, which belied his deep religious convictions. It comprises their most successful singles, with a dozen country hits, plus material drawn from their other A & B sides and from their themed concept albums for Capitol.
2 They've Got the Church Out Numbered (The Louvin Brothers)
3 The Weapon of Prayer (The Louvin Brothers)
4 You'll Be Rewarded Over There (The Louvin Brothers)
5 The Get Acquainted Waltz (The Louvin Brothers)
6 Insured Beyond the Grave (The Louvin Brothers)
7 Do You Live What You Preach (The Louvin Brothers)
8 The Sons and Daughters of God (The Louvin Brothers)
9 The Family Who Prays (The Louvin Brothers)
10 Born Again (The Louvin Brothers)
11 Preach the Gospel (The Louvin Brothers)
12 God Bless Her 'Cause She's My Mother (The Louvin Brothers)
13 Satan Lied to Me (The Louvin Brothers)
14 Satan and the Saint (The Louvin Brothers)
15 Swing Low Sweet Chariot (The Louvin Brothers)
16 Make Him a Soldier (The Louvin Brothers)
17 When I Stop Dreaming (The Louvin Brothers)
18 Pitfall (The Louvin Brothers)
19 Just Rehearsing (The Louvin Brothers)
20 I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby (The Louvin Brothers)
21 Hoping That You're Hoping (The Louvin Brothers)
22 Childish Love (The Louvin Brothers)
23 Cash on the Barrelhead (The Louvin Brothers)
24 You're Running Wild (The Louvin Brothers)
25 Kentucky (The Louvin Brothers)
26 In the Pines (The Louvin Brothers)
27 My Brother's Will (The Louvin Brothers)
28 Don't Laugh (The Louvin Brothers)
- Disc 2 -
1 Plenty of Everything But You (The Louvin Brothers)
2 I Wish You Knew (The Louvin Brothers)
3 Call Me (The Louvin Brothers)
4 This Little Light of Mine (The Louvin Brothers)
5 She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone (The Louvin Brothers)
6 My Baby's Gone (The Louvin Brothers)
7 He Can Be Found (The Louvin Brothers)
8 The River of Jordan (The Louvin Brothers)
9 If I Could Only Win Your Love (The Louvin Brothers)
10 Memories and Tears (The Louvin Brothers)
11 Knoxville Girl (The Louvin Brothers)
12 While You're Cheating on Me (The Louvin Brothers)
13 You're Learning (The Louvin Brothers)
14 Curly Headed Baby (The Louvin Brothers)
15 Nellie Moved to Town (The Louvin Brothers)
16 Kneeling Drunkard's Plea (The Louvin Brothers)
17 The Christian Life (The Louvin Brothers)
18 If You Love Me Stay Away (The Louvin Brothers)
19 Love Is a Lonely Street (The Louvin Brothers)
20 I Love You Best of All (The Louvin Brothers)
21 I Can't Keep You in Love with Me (The Louvin Brothers)
22 How's the World Treating You (The Louvin Brothers)
23 The Great Atomic Power (The Louvin Brothers)
24 The Weapon of Prayer - 1961 Version (The Louvin Brothers)
25 Broken Engagement (The Louvin Brothers)
26 Must You Throw Dirt in My Face (The Louvin Brothers)
27 Searching for a Soldier's Grave (The Louvin Brothers)
28 Robe of White (The Louvin Brothers)
Ira and Charlie Louvin (they were cousins of country singer/songwriter John D. Loudermilk) were a powerful and distinctive force in country music through the '50s until their break-up in 1963, their music firmly rooted in their Southern Baptist upbringing, although they achieved huge success as long-time Grand Ole Opry members and with secular hits like "Cash On The Barrelhead", "When I Stop Dreaming", "Running Wild" and the No. 1 "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby". With Ira's trademark mandolin and their extraordinary blend of voices, they were among the genre's most individual stylists, and influenced many later artists, such as The Everly Brothers, whose vocal harmonies very much echo those of The Louvin Brothers, and others including Gram Parsons and The Byrds - The Byrds recorded the Louvins' "The Christian Life". This collection captures the flavour and progression of their music from their recording debut through to their break-up in 1963, occasioned by Ira's heavy drinking and violently unpredictable behaviour, which belied his deep religious convictions. It comprises their most successful singles, with a dozen country hits, plus material drawn from their other A & B sides and from their themed concept albums for Capitol.