''My Baby's Gone'' is an album by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

duo

The Louvin Brothers The Louvin Brothers were an American musical duo composed of brothers Ira and Charlie Louvin (''né'' Loudermilk). The brothers are cousins to John D. Loudermilk, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. The brothers wrote and performed ...

, released in 1960. The lead-off single "My Baby Came Back" b/w "She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone" did not chart although the follow-up single "My Baby's Gone" b/w "Lorene" reached number 9 on the '' Billboard'' Country Singles chart.

Background

The majority of the songs were recorded in 1958 and four had been released as singles that year. The duo had previously recorded gospel songs written by Hazel Houser, but "My Baby's Gone" was the only secular song of hers they recorded. It stayed on the '' Billboard'' Country Singles chart for over 20 weeks and peaked at number 9. "I Wish It Had Been a Dream" had also been released as a single although it didn't chart well. The album cover featuring a despondent looking man was designed by the brothers.

Reissues

* In 1992, all of the tracks from ''My Baby's Gone'' were included in the ''

Close Harmony A chord is in close harmony (also called close position or close structure) if its notes are arranged within a narrow range, usually with no more than an octave between the top and bottom notes. In contrast, a chord is in open harmony (also c ...

'' 8-CD box set issued by

Bear Family Records Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label, that specializes in reissues of archival material, ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks. History The label has been in existence since ...

Reception

In his review for

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

, critic Timothy Monger wrote the album "finds them back on the dark side, delivering a dozen haunting songs of heartbreak and woe that are every bit as masterful as the fire-and-brimstone fury of their previous LP... If Satan Is Real is the height of the duo's gospel style, then My Baby's Gone is the Louvin Brothers at their country best." Kris Needs of ''

Record Collector ''Record Collector'' is a British monthly music magazine. It was founded in 1980 and distributes worldwide. History The early years The first standalone issue of ''Record Collector'' was published in March 1980, though its history stretches ba ...

'' called the album "an overlooked masterpiece, essential for anyone partial to a time-honoured wallow in the saddest music known to man. When those vocals seem to realise they have nothing but themselves to hold on to the effect is spine-chilling."

Track listing

All songs by

Charlie Louvin Charles Elzer Loudermilk (July 7, 1927 – January 26, 2011), known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Op ...

and

Ira Louvin Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (April 21, 1924 – June 20, 1965), known professionally as Ira Louvin, was an American country music singer, mandolinist and songwriter. He was a cousin of songwriter John D. Loudermilk. Biography Ira Louvin was born in ...

unless otherwise noted. # "My Baby's Gone" (Hazel Houser) – 2:40 # "Blue From Now On" (Jim Leisy) – 2:11 # "When I Loved You" – 2:35 # "She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone" – 2:18 # "You're Running Wild" (Don Winters,

Ray Edenton Ray Quarles Edenton (November 3, 1926 – September 21, 2022) was an American guitar player and country music session musician. Early life Ray Edenton was born into a musical family on November 3, 1926, and grew up near Mineral, Virginia. His f ...

) – 2:14 # "Plenty of Everything But You" – 2:26 # "I Wish You Knew" – 2:26 # "While You're Cheating on Me" – 2:02 # "Lorene" – 1:58 # "I Wish It Had Been a Dream" – 2:29 # "The First One to Love You" (Helen Carter) – 2:37 # "My Baby Came Back" – 2:11

Personnel

– vocals, guitar *

– vocals, mandolin * Paul Yandell – guitar * "Smiley" Wilson – guitar * Floyd T. "Lightning' Chance – bass *

Buddy Harman Murrey Mizell "Buddy" Harman, Jr. (December 23, 1928 – August 21, 2008) was an American country music session musician. Career Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Harman played drums on over 18,000 sessions for artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry ...

– drums * Marvin Hughes – piano Production notes: * Ken Nelson – producer

References

{{Authority control 1960 albums The Louvin Brothers albums Albums produced by Ken Nelson (United States record producer) Capitol Records albums