THE LOUVIN BROTHERS Close Harmony (8CD Set)

Close Harmony (1992)
8CD Compilation Of Stunning Americana
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Some of, if not, the greatest harmonies in country music, inspiring generations of artists from Porter & Dolly to Gram & Emmylou. Charlie & Ira Louvin didn't invent the stuff, but they molded the original Americana handed down by The Carter Family into a close harmony style characterized by their unmatched ability to switch alto & tenor roles at will. The All Music Guide calls it a "lonesome ghostly sound" and this out-of-print Bear Family, 219 track compilation is essential to understanding the roots of all indigenous American music, especially mountain, bluegrass and hillbilly gospel. Close Harmony contains all the Louvin's music from their Capitol, Decca, MGM and Apollo sides. Five stars in any universe. Listen to "Katie Dear" from the duo's 1956 classic, Tragic Songs Of Life. Track listings can be found here.