Charlie Louvin uninjured in accident

The Battle Rages On

Several years ago, a childhood hero hawked autographs during an old-timers game. Watching a once larger-than-life figure reduced to scrawling his name on penny cards for $20 was distressing, but the money was paid to a man who - it appeared - had no room in his life for false pride. The message was clear: he was doing what he needed to do. That experience came back while listening to "The Battle Rages On," the latest from Country Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin. ...

Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs

Charlie Louvin is an old pro, and the latter term is no less true than the former. More than four decades after his brother and singing partner, Ira, met his maker on a highway in Missouri, Louvin is still churning out albums, many of them with a gospel theme. He handles the material here quite capably, but the theme might have been better suited to Ira. Louvin's arrangements are downright buoyant and, partly for that reason, the album lacks the visceral impact its title portends. ...

Steps to Heaven

Charlie Louvin is back with one of the most straightforward gospel albums of his long, distinguished career, and hosannas are in order. At 81, he's hardly the same singer who elevated the art of tight harmonies with his brother, Ira, in the 1940s and '50s. However, collaboration is no less vital on this, his third studio album of the last three years(!). The Lord may have to wait a while to reclaim the younger Mr. Louvin. Louvin is in fine voice, but it is the strident, starchy piano ...