Satan Is Real / Handpicked’s Oustanding Reviews (Posted By Harry)

Posted by SRD on November 10, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

The Louvin Brothers continue to triumph

Satan Is Real/ Handpicked Songs 1955-1962
(Light In The Attic)

Reviews in The Times: 4 Stars

“..A legendary album from the 1959, widely unavailable until now, that is an attempt by a God-fearing sinner from Alabama and his slightly less immoral brother to save their souls from the fiery pits of Hell…The Louvin Brothers are chiefly remembered for The Christian Life, which the Byrds covered on their country rock album Sweetheart of the Rodeo. The Byrds brought irony to thie tale of an upright man rejecting his friend’s drinking and womanising for going to church and sermonising, but it turns out the deeply religious Louvins failed to live up their own message. Charlie in particular lived a life of sin, getting in fights, drinking heavily and smashing up his mandolin. He annoyed his third wife so much that she shot him. He died at 41 in a car crash in Missouri with his fourth wife. You can hear the force of such a wayward character on every note of Satan Is Real. “Satan’s jeweled crown, I’ve worn it so long,” sing Ira and Charlie with the tragic truth and beauty, and you know they mean it. Such a depth of feeling proved influential. This edition also features a CD of Louvin Brothers songs selected by famous fans, including Dolly Parton, Will Oldham and Emmylou Harris. The Louvins’ hope for salvation endures.” Written By Will Hodgkinson

Reviews in The Independent On Sunday: Outstanding

” High, lonesome, righteous, slightly creepy. The harmonsing of the brothers Loudermilk (aka Charlie and Ira Louvin) typifies the intensity which made post-war America music so compelling to the rest of us, no matter what the subject matter. Here, you get the vividly pious Satan plus a disc of hits from the Louvin jukebox, “hand-picked” by assorted celebs. Imagine the Everly Brothers plus God and cowshit: that’s the Louvins. Withering in its conviction. It blows like the wind.”

Here’s another review from BBC Music, read it here by David Quantick.

Filed under Harry · Tagged with 1959, 4 stars, Alabama, BBC Music Review, Charlie Louvin, David Quantick, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Handpicked Songs 1955-62, Ira and Charlie Loudermilk, Ira Louvin, Light In The Attic Records, Music Distributor, Outstanding Review, Post War America, Religious, Satan Is Real, Song Of The Day, Southern Record Distributors, SRD, Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, The Christian Life, The Independent On Sunday, The Louvin Brothers, The Times, Will Hodgkinson, Will Oldham