The Louvin Brothers: Ira Louvin (vocals, tenor acoustic guitar, mandolin); Charles Louvin (vocals, guitar).
Additional personnel: Ray Edenton (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Yandell, Chet Atkins (electric guitar); George McCormick (guitar, background vocals); Eddie Hill, Hank Garland, "Smiley" Wilson, Jimmy Capps, Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas, Harold Bradley (guitar); Don Helms (steel guitar); Harold B. "Shot" Jackson (dobro); Howard "Howdy" Forrester (fiddle); Jimmy Riddle (harmonica); Marvin Hughes (piano); Floyd T. "Lightning" Chance, Roy M. Huskey, Jr. (bass); Murray M. "Buddy" Harman (drums).
Producers: Ken Nelson; Hugh Wyatt.
Compilation producer: Marshall Crenshaw.
Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee between September 30, 1952 and June 22, 1962. Includes liner notes by Marshall Crenshaw.
Digitally remastered by Steve Hoffman (L.R.S., Burbank, California).
WHEN I STOP DREAMING: THE BEST OF THE LOUVIN BROTHERS is packed with beloved Louvin Brothers tunes. From the Christian sermonizing of "Broadminded," to the mariachi-flavored "Hoping That You're Hoping," to undisputed classics, including the lively "Cash on the Barrelhead," the gorgeous "I Wish It Had Been a Dream," and the soaring title track (featuring Chet Atkins on guitar), this BEST OF makes good on its title.
Influenced by early bluegrass family acts, Charlie and Ira Louvin, on guitar and mandolin respectively, performed a repertoire of Appalachian folk, bluegrass, country, and spirituals, but cast each genre afresh with their tight-knit, ringing harmonies and a high-energy approach that is at once technically astute and emotionally earnest. Their style evokes rootsy mountain music without sacrificing accessibility, and encompasses sunny, sing-along melodies ("Don't Laugh") and tales of haunting desperation ("Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar"). This comprehensive collection is exceptionally well compiled, sequenced, remastered, and packaged, and is both an ideal starting point and the definitive document of the duo's work.
