The Louvin Brothers - When I Stop Dreaming: The Best of the Louvin Brothers

The great irony of the Louvin Brothers, today considered by many the best of the brother duos, is that they peaked at a time when the form was almost dead. Their vocal sound was as old as the Alabama hills, and they kept alive such archaic tunes as "Knoxville Girl" and "In the Pines." Yet their studio bands were up to date, if not exactly Nashville Sound knockoffs, and much of their material, including "You're Running Wild," was fairly contemporary. Traditionalists or modernists? When it's this good, who cares? And besides, who's going to argue with guys who knew Sin the way Charlie and Ira Louvin knew Sin? --John Morthland Amazon.com essential recording

Fantastic Duet

Wow.....I had forgotton just how good the Louvin brothers really were. This is a very well produced CD, one that will be due many replays and will bring back many memories. The harmony is so good and the old songs are very nostalgic. Anyone that enjoys old style, two part harmoney will enjoy this work. Highly Recommended. April 22, 2008

When I Stop Dreaming, Best of the Louvin Brothers

I saw Charlie Louvin in concert recently in San Diego. Very few in the crowd had heard him live before but all knew his reputation. He did not disapoint and made a room full of new hardcore fans. He and his late brother recorded some wonderful songs that will be evergreen much like the work of Hank Williams. When you look back at the great Brothers acts like the Stanleys, Jim and Jesse and the Delmore Brothers you know the Louvin Brothers belong on top of that elite group. Their harmony work was the best. You won't hear this great stuff on the radio anymore as Nashville has long ago turned it's back on it's roots. You gotta go dig up the really good stuff by yourself. This record is a good place to start. July 9, 2007

THE BEST OF THE LOUVIN BROTHERS: A Review

This is a must own CD for lovers of traditional and blue grass influenced country music. The tight harmonies, beautiful melodies, and poignant stories are a real treat to listen to and enjoy.

You won't hear better country than "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby", "You're Running Wild", "My Baby's Gone", and the title song, "When I Stop Dreaming". July 3, 2007

Indispensable for Serious C & W Collectors

Like all great musicians--whatever the music--the Louvin Brothers had a sound all their own: often imitated, never equalled. A basic album for listeners who love country and want a fuller sense of where it all began. March 4, 2007

A good starter album from the Louvin Brothers

I read the book, "Country Conversations" by Timothy Edward Jones initially for his interview with John McCrea of Cake, who happens to be a big fan of the the Louvin Brothers since childhood. Indeed, he got Charlie Louvin to play all 16 dates on Cake's 2003 Unlimited Sunshine Tour along with Cheap Trick, the Detroit Cobras, and the Hackensaw Boys who was the backing band for Charlie Louvin.
In the 2 pg. interview with McCrea, he stated his favorite Louvin songs were "You're Learning" (an Every Brothers sound-alike) and "the Great Atomic Power", the better of the two and both on this album. Definitely a good primer of the Louvin's music!
ps--As much McCrea in that interview stated that "Louvin Brothers' covers make me nauseous," "The Great Atomic Power" deserves a makeover (a faster tempo & a fuller musical accompaniment sung by a female duo; myself as one of that duo)--
John McCrea, you have been warned! June 30, 2006

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