Collection 1949-62

Ira and Charlie Louvin (they were cousins of country singer/songwriter John D. Loudermilk) were a powerful and distinctive force in country music through the '50s until their break-up in 1963, their music firmly rooted in their Southern Baptist upbringing, although they achieved huge success as long-time Grand Ole Opry members and with secular hits like "Cash On The Barrelhead", "When I Stop Dreaming", "Running Wild" and the No. 1 "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby". With Ira's trademark mandolin and their extraordinary blend of voices, they were among the genre's most individual stylists, and influenced many later artists, such as The Everly Brothers, whose vocal harmonies very much echo those of The Louvin Brothers, and others including Gram Parsons and The Byrds - The Byrds recorded the Louvins' "The Christian Life". This collection captures the flavour and progression of their music from their recording debut through to their break-up in 1963, occasioned by Ira's heavy drinking and violently unpredictable behaviour, which belied his deep religious convictions. It comprises their most successful singles, with a dozen country hits, plus material drawn from their other A & B sides and from their themed concept albums for Capitol.