Something 4 The Weekend # 192

The Louvin Brothers: Tragic Songs Of Life: "Knoxville Girl" [mp3]

Charlie Loudermilk passed away this Wednesday after his battle with pancreatic cancer. He and his brother Ira performed as The Louvin Brothers, and were noted for popularizing close harmony in Country music.

"Knoxville Girl" is a murder ballad, a popular form of balladry that recounts true or mythic murders. Murder ballads have essentially been around for centuries, and popular opinion is that they first came to prominence on the British Isles. So if'n you think Gangsta Rap and Death Metal is corrupting our culture, think again, babycakes. We've always been corrupted, deep in our souls, and damn if we don't love songs about killin' and often the subsequent revenge/justice.

Rest in peace, Charlie.

Hotcha! Hank