Search - The Louvin Brothers :: Tragic Songs of Life/Satan Is Real

The Louvin Brothers
Tragic Songs of Life/Satan Is Real
Genres: Country, Pop, Christian & Gospel, Gospel

Track Listings (28) - Disc #1
1. Kentucky
2. I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
3. Let Her Go, God Bless Her
4. What Is Home Without Love
5. A Tiny Broken Heart
6. In the Pines
7. Alabama
8. Katie Dear
9. My Brother's Will
10. Knoxville Girl
11. Take the News To Mother
12. Mary Of the Wild Moor
13. Satan Is Real
14. There Is a Higher Power
15. The Christian Life
16. The River Of Jordan
17. The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea
18. Are You Afraid To Die
19. He Can Be Found
20. Dying From Home, And Lost
21. Drunkard's Doom
22. Satan's Jeweled Crown
23. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night
24. I'm Ready To Go Home
25. Blue From Now On
26. Red Hen Hop
27. Read What's In My Heart
28. My Heart Was Trampled On the Street

CD Details

All Artists: The Louvin Brothers
Title: Tragic Songs of Life/Satan Is Real
Members Wishing: 5
Total Copies: 0
Label: Raven (Aus)
Original Release Date: 7/31/2007
Release Date: 7/31/2007
Genres: Country, Pop, Christian & Gospel, Gospel
Styles: Bluegrass, Classic Country, Southern, Country & Bluegrass
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 612657025727

Synopsis

Album Description

These two classic, iconic albums from THE LOUVIN BROTHERS have certainly stood the test of time. Raven presents them on one brilliant CD, proving that Tragic Songs of Life (1956) and Satan is Real (1960) sound as thrilling today as ever. With their impassioned gospel themes, these two LPs capture the very essence of the brothers at the peak of their powers. Charlie and Ira's sublime harmonies and hard-driving take on traditional country provided the blueprint for future generations of country and rock musicians. From the enigmatic Gram Parsons and his protege Emmylou Harris to a long list of contemporary adherents (including Uncle Tupelo, Hank Williams III etc), the legend and influence of the Louvin Brothers continues unabated. Tragic Songs of Life contains some of their most powerful and emotive singing on ?Kentucky', ?Katie Dear' and the hit single ?Knoxville Girl'. With its striking cover and even more startling contents (?The Christian Life', ?Satan's Jeweled Crown', ?There is a Higher Power'), Satan is Real became a signature release for the duo. With four bonus tracks from the period, this outstanding value 2-for-1 CD delivers 28 of the very best from the brothers' deep catalogue of classic songs.

CD Reviews

A great taste of the Louvin Brothers

Bob Wood | Little Rock, AR USA | 11/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many people have never heard of the Louvin Brothers, and that's a shame. This double-record CD is a good introduction, along with the "greatest hits" selection found on the CD, "When I Stop Dreaming." I found out about them by listening to Emmylou Harris's covers of their songs, which are beautiful and haunting.

The Louvins first sang gospel songs then moved into country. They popularized a style of singing called "close harmony" that was later refined by the Everly Brothers. What makes them fascinating to me is the dramatic contrast between their songs and their personal lives. As I listen to "I like the Christian life" (from "Satan is Real"), I can't help but think of Ira Louvin's alcoholism, fighting, and vicious personality (people around the brothers commonly referred to Ira as "mean as a snake"). As well as the fact that, when he died in a drunken automobile crash with his fourth wife, Ira still had four bullets in his back from when his third wife shot him.

It's that kind of incongruity that makes the Louvins fascinating to me. They were excellent musicians and songwriters, but Ira was also an extraordinarily conflicted individual. That had to color his artistry. And, it gives their music a depth and texture that transcends, at least for me, the religious themes that may put some others off.

You might want to give the Louvin Brothers a listen."