“Others find pleasure in things I despise” could serve as a motto to many a cranky reviewer, but the Whitstine Brothers sing not of the critical, but of “The Christian Life.” Heirs to the country brother team tradition handed down by such ’30s acts as the Delmore Brothers and the Blue Sky Boys, Robert and Charles Whitstine lend their voices to 10 sacred selections originally recorded, and most also written, by ’50s-era country duo the Louvin Brothers. First released in 1969, after a failed attempt at mainstream success urged the brothers’ retreat from Nashville to their Colfax, La., home, Sing Gospel Songs of the Louvins features a restrained backing of guitars, mandolin, and bass that allows the duo’s pure, searching harmonies to shine. As affecting as the Whitstines’ singing is, though, the real marvel is the gentle and natural way they have with their message. Lines like the one above are virtually impossible to deliver without the taint of smugness, but the Whitstines are neither preaching to the choir nor rebuking the damned. Instead they offer a mission rooted in true brother feeling. The disc’s only fault is its length—at 22:51 it should be bargain-priced, but it seems stingy to quibble. These are all of the final takes from the 1969 sessions. Besides, as the Blue Sky Boys once asked, “What would you give in exchange for your soul?”