Charlie Louvin - Charlie Louvin

One brother, plenty of friends

Like the now 80-year-old Charlie Louvin’s last album (1996’s The Longest Train) this project links the Country Hall Of Famer with some of his many admirers. Producer Mark Nevers took the reins for recordings with George Jones, Elvis Costello, Tom T Hall (who teams up with Bobby Bare on a hang-loose revival of The Delmore Brothers’ 50s smash Blues Stay Away From Me), Jeff Tweedy, Marty Stuart and Will Oldham, who duets with Louvin on the ancient murder ballad Knoxville Girl.

In addition to secular and spiritual material from country stalwarts Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and Bill Monroe, there are three Charlie and Ira Louvin originals that were all hits in their Grand Ole Opry days (The Christian Life, When I Stop Dreaming and the still relevant Great Atomic Power), plus the brand new Ira, a heartfelt tribute to his brother. Other gems that benefit from Louvin’s still-affecting baritone include two by AP Carter: Worried Man Blues and a nostalgic Grave On The Green Hillside.

This is a welcome change of pace from Tompkins Square’s usual fare and we hear it’s even got Charlie out on the road again. The like of The Jayhawks and Wilco owe him a large musical debt.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Tompkins Square | TSQ 1042

Reviewed by Gary von Tersch
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