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Charlie Louvin's close gospel harmonies and eventual embrace of secular country music made for some of the most brilliant bluegrass-touched Christian records of the early '60s, though their activity throughout the '40s and '50s was fruitful as well.
The Christian Life: The Definitive Louvin Brothers Story collects over 100 tracks from
the Louvin Brothers' massive discography, sprawled out over four volumes. The traditional country of their early days followed
the Carter Family's high-quality Appalachian balladry, while their later material flourished during the dawning of rock & roll, offering a religious message in songs like "The Christian Life" (later covered by
the Byrds on their country crossover masterpiece
Sweetheart of the Rodeo) and "Satan Is Real."