Search - Charlie Louvin :: Charlie Louvin (Dig)

While You're Cheating On Me, I'm Praying for You...

Sound/Word Enthusiast | Rhode Island, USA | 02/22/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...I have to say, I'm as sick as of the "drag out the old-timer and prop 'em up with some special guests as they run through their greatest hits one more time or maybe some unusual covers" concept as the next guy. Not that these guys don't deserve our respect: Jerry Lee Lewis does. Wanda Jackson does. Hubert Sumlin does. The Blind Boys of Alabama do. Arthur Alexander does. Tony Joe White does. Ralph Stanley does. (See how pervasive, even clichéd this is??) And certainly Charlie Louvin does. With the Louvin Brothers he created a body of work that continues to fuel, inspire, and intrigue bluegrass and country music musicians and fans to this very day. Their songs really cut to the core, addressing death and heartache and faith with clarity, depth, honesty, and even a bit of humor.



Speaking of honesty, it always seemed that the freewheeling Ira, as opposed to the teetotaling Charlie, was the more fun Louvin brother. I mean, the man recorded a single called "Who Throwed That Rock?" -- c'mon! Charlie always seemed more somber and mopey. And this album, recorded and produced by Mark Nevers in Nashville, definitely plays of the somber factor, Stanley-style.



I've seen Charlie perform recently, and heard his self-released CD, and he's clearly not in great voice these days. So I was surprised by the gruff power of his performances here. Much better than anything I've heard from him lately. Personally, I would have rather hear him tackle some new material than reprise his hits as he does here, but it is interesting to hear what he brings to these compositions a half-century later. "When I Stop Dreaming" has a great, weary sense of resignation that really reinvents the song. But what does having Elvis Costello sing a verse bring to the table? The guest performances here are largely distracting and unnecessary. Makes for compelling sticker-copy, I suppose, and gives them some press ammo, but, as on Jerry Lee Lewis's recent project, it's clear that Charlie don't need them.



A word about the production. Sound on this is spongy -- lots of acoustic guitars, tasteful drums, light piano and accordion. No real character or vibe to the sound. It was an issue I had with Nevers's production on the new Candi Staton project as well. The sound of the music is reverent and tasteful to the point of blandness. The album would have benefited from more atmosphere, more sense of a group of great players in a good sounding room, doing what they do best -- a little bit of the freewheeling intensity that, to be truthful, was always more Ira's forte than Charlie's.



So I'm not sure what to think about this project: Louvin sounds great, he has earned and deserved more than he ever received. The guests on this record are unnecessary and distracting (though Marty Stuart places some nice mandolin, and Will Oldham sounds pretty dang good -- but Jeff Tweedy? C'mon!). The format is contrived. But it succeeds in spots, in spite of itself. Now that Charlie's back on the market, can we have a solo album please? No guests -- just good songs, a good band, and a good textured, open sound..."

Ditto the first review, but "Ira"?

daily growl | California, USA | 02/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm on my second listen and I agree with almost everything Sound/Word Enthusiast has to say in the first review. It's a shame about the production, because Charlie's voice is truly awesome, worn into a groove in the best possible sense, terrific relaxed phrasing. The guest stars might have been cool if it had been produced like John Prine's "In Spite of Ourselves" -- simple duet harmonies with no fuss. But there's way too much fuss here. Only George Jones, Bobby Bare, and Tom T. Hall really come off well, because they're real country. I like Will Oldham and Jeff Tweedy, but they ain't got the chops, and I have nothing but respect for Elvis Costello, who can truly sing, but he just doesn't fit in either.



I read an interview where Charlie says two things I find totally appropriate. First, that he kept telling them he'd drive down to Nashville and sing with the guest stars but they never asked him (!). And you can see the result -- most of the second voices sound totally patched in, like cameos in a bad movie. Second, he can't understand why they wanted that feedback sound on "Great Atomic Power." Thought it was a mistake, but Nevers said no, we wanted it that way. Well, Charlie's right -- it sounds like a mistake. Why does Charlie Louvin need indie guest stars and feedback?



That said, I like imperfect albums and this one is kind of fun to engage with and be annoyed by -- you can hear the album it should have been. And then there's "Ira," which gets everything right -- it's touching, beautifully sung, a wonderful tribute to his brother. "You had a way with writing music from the heart / Your voice is strong even though you're gone, 'cause I still hear your part" ... gives me chills. I think the indie stuff doesn't mix for precisely the reason "Ira" is so great -- it's perfectly sincere in a way modern music just isn't and can't be. Anyway, if the whole album had been like "Ira," it'd be five stars plus for sure."

Charlie can still get it done!

F. White | Valley Center, KS | 05/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superb album, and those who love Bluegrass and/or country music will immediately appreciate it. Charlie has aged, and his voice doeen't have the power it once did. But it this is an opportunity to obtain a new take on old songs, recorded with state of the art equipment. Older listeners may prefer the original recordings of the songs, but the exposure this new release brings may draw younger listeners who have not had the opportunity to learn of this great artist. I highly recommend this album!"