The Battles Rage On

The Battle Rages On finds Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Louvin returning to the patriotic themes that made his 1962 Louvin Brothers album Weapon of Prayer a classic of its era. At 83, this master of traditional country lacks the assured vocal presence of his younger days; still, the intensity and conviction that marked his earlier work are very much in evidence. From the Civil War-era ballad “Just Before the Battle Mother” to more contemporary material like “More Than a Name On a Wall,” these songs honor military service and the sustaining power of faith. Louvin approaches poignant tunes like “I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me,” “Robe of White” and “A Soldier’s Last Letter” with palpable emotion and a sure sense of drama. He receives sterling support from such accomplished players as guitarist Charlie Louvin, Jr. and multi-instrumentalist Deanie Richardson. The Battle Rages On stands both as a moving tribute to America’s fighting forces and a reaffirmation of Louvin’s enduring stature as a country-music legend.