Charlie Louvin – The Battle Rages On(True North)
Charlie Louvin is 83 years old and is currently fighting for his life with pancreatic cancer. We wish him well. The Battle Rages On will almost certainly be the last recording from a career that’s spanned seven decades and has resulted in close to fifty album releases. Of course Charlie made his name as one of the Louvin Brothers with his older sibling Ira. They began as a gospel duo back in the 1940s, before recording secular songs and going onto considerable success. Their songs were recorded by a host of country and rock artists including Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, The Byrds and Uncle Tupelo.
A veteran of the Korean War, his latest record is a tribute to America’s armed forces. It’s not for me, though listening to the dying embers of Louvin’s voice, there are certainly parallels to the later Johnny Cash records. I’m certain, because of the subject matter, The Battle Rages On will make considerably less impact that Cash’s final flurry of recordings, but if you secretly enjoy poignancy dished up by the spade full and are sympathetic to Louvin’s outlook and views, then I’m sure you’ll be moved by this collection.
www.myspace.com/officialcharlielouvin
Simon M.
