Steps to Heaven (Dig)

Charlie Louvin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tompkins Square
• ASIN: B001DSNG7W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,456 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 saw Louvin celebrate his 80th birthday amidst a swirl of activity around the release of his first studio album in ten years, Charlie Louvin. Grammy-nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album, the disc features George Jones, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham, Elvis Costello and many others. Charlie toured and recorded with Lucinda Williams, made a video for the song "Ira", released a field recording of one of his many in-store performances, Live at Shake It Records, played over 100 concert dates sharing stages with Ryan Adams and Neko Case, appeared on giant festivals like Bonnaroo and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and placed a medallion around Emmylou Harris' neck inducting her into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Charlie's self-titled album earned 4 out of 5 stars in Uncut and Mojo Magazine, and sparked a bevy of great press and renewed interest in his fascinating career.

Instead of hanging back at age 80, Charlie has instead chosen to challenge himself. Steps to Heaven was recorded live with a gospel choir comprised of three sisters, journeyman gospel pianist Derrick Lee, and Chris Scruggs adding doghouse bass and electric guitar. Louvin had never recorded with black gospel musicians before, and in doing so discovered a new musical path. "I did things on the gospel record I had no idea I could do. I'd be thinking along the way, `How can I do things I've never done before?' And I did it."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, soulful, sublime..., August 9, 2009

By 

japlangston (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steps to Heaven (Dig) (Audio CD)

Charlie Louvin and the McCrary Sisters, accompanied by Derrick Lee on piano and Chris Scruggs on guitar and bass, have produced an album of sweetness and grace. A previous reviewer complained of the "bleating" of the backing vocalists and I must say this person most assuredly has never heard the angels singing. Charlie's voice is soft and weathered and blends beautifully with the powerful, soulful harmonies of the McCrary Sisters, and Derrick Lee on piano is nothing short of righteous. That this recording was made in only two takes attests to the artists' familiarity with the these old hymns, have probably been singing them all of their lives. The selections are gems from the past--the kind families and friends would gather around the piano to sing. They take you to back to a simpler time and a place of comfort and peace. This CD is a treasure.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charlie Louvin Review at countrystandardtime.com by Don Armstrong, October 6, 2008

By 

Country Standard Time "Jeffrey B. Remz" (Newton Centre, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steps to Heaven (Dig) (Audio CD)

Charlie Louvin is back with one of the most straightforward gospel albums of his long, distinguished career, and hosannas are in order. Country Standard Time

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointment, January 13, 2011

By 

Emilio D. Gironda Jr. "Mr E" (New Paltz) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Steps to Heaven (Dig) (Audio CD)

I am very familiar with the Louvin Brothers, and love their stuff. Unfortunately Mr Louvin's voice is very weak, which would be alright, but the female background singer ruins every song she is on, with that squeaky endless vibrato that is so much in vogue these days. Whoever chose her should be fired.