Where so many duet projects seem like shotgun marriages, this one sounds like a labor of love, celebrating Southern music as a common denominator that transcends racial and categorical divides.
Among the highlights, the pairing of Lyle Lovett and Al Green finds revelation within the funky groove of ˝Funny How Time Slips Away,˝ while the album-closing ˝Patches˝--with George Jones playing father to B.B. King’s son--achieves a spine-tingling majesty.
Though Natalie Cole and Reba McEntire misconnect on ˝Since I Fell for You,˝ Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) and the late Conway Twitty are at their soulful best on ˝Rainy Night in Georgia.˝
I never paid much attention to country music until I heard this collection of duets.
The best voices of R&B with the best of country.
What stands out? Conway Twitty and Sam (Sam and Dave) Moore doing ˝Rainy Night in Georgia,˝ and Aaron Neville with Trisha Yearwood on ˝I Fall to Pieces.˝
Many other fine collaborations, but these are memorable.
For anyone who loves country and r&b standards, who wants to hear talented voices in new territory, or who wants a well-rounded musical education, this MAY be the best album you can find.