Charlie Louvin: Charlie Louvin [$14.98]

A stunning late-career album from the country legend — free of gimmick, chock full of guests that add to the record’s authenticity. What might seem like something commemorative, a re-recorded “greatest hits” made in celebration of a great country singer’s career, is, in fact, far too vital and alive to be passed off as some late-life cash in. There isn’t an insincere moment to be found on this album. These songs are well-selected and well-executed. The guests here make not so much for a passing of the torch, but more a meeting of minds both young and old to play the music they love. Should Rick Rubin decide to take on another legend for a late-career resurrection, he’d do well to look at this record. It is free of gimmick and ploy, happy to make the songs Charlie and company love. And the results make for a must-have record. More importantly for Charlie Louvin, though, this is a record Ira would love.