Long before heavy metal put Lucifer in the charts, a country duo from Alabama, USA, were telling listeners: Satan Is Real. The Louvin Brothers, aka brothers Ira Loudermilk (1924–1965) and Charlie Loudermilk (1927–2011), were that duo, strumming their guitars and singing country ditties about God and damnation. Long beloved of later musicians such as Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Wilco, they became the most lauded harmony team in country, influencing The Everly Brothers who, arguably, begat The Beatles. Now, Seattle’s Light In The Attic Records are set to give The Louvin Brothers’s back catalogue the long-deserved archive treatment, with a double CD compilation of their essential mid-‘50s to early-‘60s works and three deluxe vinyl LPs.

The Double CD comes in two distinct parts. On the first disc is the original Satan Is Real album, their Southern Gothic masterpiece from 1959. Inspiring generations with some of the finest harmonies ever recorded, this Louvin Brothers classic is an angelic combination of high lonesome country and dark southern gospel. Meticulously re-mastered from the original tapes with a 40-page booklet and new notes, it includes a free download card for an exclusive Audio Commentary interview with the late Charlie Louvin, recorded in Nashville in June 2010.
On the second disc, Handpicked Songs 1955-62, stars of country, rock, folk and more pay homage to the Louvin Brothers by handpicking a track each for this brilliant compilation of archive Louvin Brothers recordings. Each track is performed by the Louvin Brothers. The full list of handpickers includes Mark Lanegan, Graham Nash, Beck, Emmylou Harris, Will Oldham, Lucinda Williams, Jim James, Kris Kristofferson, Devendra Banhart, Chris Hillman, Zooey Deschanel, The Black Angels, Dolly Parton and M. Ward. Here’s what some of this esteemed group have to say about the singing Brothers.

TRACKLIST:
 
Disc 1 - Satan Is Real
1. Satan Is Rea
2. There's A Higher Power
3. The Christian Life
4. The River Jordan
5. The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea
6. Are You Afraid To Die
7. He Can Be Found
8. Dying From Home, And Lost
9. The Drunkard's Doom
10. Satan's Jeweled Crown
11. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night
12. I'm Ready To Go Home

Disc 2 - Handpicked Songs 1955-1962
1. Almost Persuaded - Handpicked by Mark Lanegan
2. My Baby's Gone - Handpicked by Graham Nash
3. The Great Atomic Power - Handpicked by Beck
4. I See A Bridge - Handpicked by Emmylou Harris
5. Alabama - Handpicked by Will Oldham
6. When I Stop Dreaming - Handpicked by Lucinda Williams
7. Low And Lonely - Handpicked by Jim James
8. Knoxville Girl - Handpicked by Kris Kristofferson
9. Scared Of The Blues - Handpicked Devendra Banhart
10. Don't Laugh - Handpicked by Chris Hillman
11. You're Running Wild - Handpicked by Zooey Deschanel
12. Are You Afraid To Die - Handpicked by The Black Angels
13. Cash On The Barrel Head - Handpicked by Dolly Parton