Customer Reviews

Old Time Duets

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4 star:		(2)
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At first listen you'd think you were hearing an old Louvin Brothers recording 'cleaned up' by some miracle of modern recording technology. This is the real thing, all right, as far as this type of music goes -- but this is a present-day recording, clean and crisp like you've never heard on any of the classics.

That's as far as the Whitstein Brothers dip into modern technology, however -- much to the listener's delight. This cd presents -- just as the title implies -- old-time duets at their finest, unadorned and plain, accompanied by acoustic guitar and mandolin. The Whitsteins possess two of the finest voices you'll ever hear -- totally honest and unpretentious, and they hit every note right on target.

There's a little bit of everything from the genre here on this cd -- songs for mom and dad, songs of unrequited love, murder ballads, and, of course, some pure gospel. All are absolutely perfectly rendered, with obvious love, by these Louisiana natives.

The brothers have other albums available -- and all the ones I've heard are good. Most of the others include other musicians -- the fact that this disc features just the two brothers, with no evidence of any overdubbing, makes it my favorite. I honestly can't list a favorite tune -- I love them all. The only was to make it better would be to make it longer.

These boys sing as well if not better than the Louvin Brothers. I have met Charlie Louvin personally who agrees that the Whitsten's are very good, however, Charlie is and will always be partial to his brother Ira's harmony. There will never be another Ira Louvin (Loudermilk), but the sounds of the Whitsten Brothers will make you think you are listening to the real thing. I have all the Louvin records/cassettes,cd's and now working to get all the Whitsten's music that I can. I have visited Ira & Charlies home place in Heneger, TENN and look forward to seeing Charlie singing with the Whitsten's at his home place in the future. Thanks for the opportunity to review this CD.

I inadvertently placed Heneger, Alabama in Tennessee. Please correct that in the review. Charlie Louvin would not be happy that his home place had been moved to Tennessee! Thanks.