My Friends!
Frank did it, Ray did it, even Doris in her day did it! Did what? Duets.
There’s something irresistible about harmonizing with your homies. From opera to bluegrass, there is an abundant array of musical collaboration to behold. Here are some CDs from the collection I recommend:
Under the Stars (CD 782.1 UND). Opera greats Renee Fleming and Bryn Terfel offer a thoughtful selection on this CD. Yes, it’s annoying when opera folk venture out of their repertoire and overpower regular old songs with their big voices, but on this CD that thankfully doesn’t happen. Best tracks: “So in Love,” ” Not While I’m Around” and “Wheels of a Dream.”
If, after listening to Renee and Bryn, you hanker for the highbrow, try Great Operatic Duets (CD 782.1 GRE), The #1 Opera Album (CD 782.1 NUM), or Placido Domingo’s gem, Duets (CD 782.1 DOM).
America’s top crooners have recorded duets. They all seem to pick the same succinct title: Duets. Sinatra is CD 781.64 SIN, Streisand is CD 781.64 STR, Bennett is CD 781.64 BEN.
The country singers have been very chummy. Emmylou Harris has CDs of duets and trios, (CD 781.642 HAR). It seems everyone (Sting, James Taylor and Brad Paisley among others) wants to work with Alison Krauss: A Hundred Miles or More (CD 781.642 KRA). Reba put a lot of thought into this title: Duets (CD 781.642 MCE) and she got Justin Timberlake to help her out on one of the cuts.
One last suggestion: –Featuring Norah Jones (CD 781.65 JON). This CD is loaded with talent. I love the Jones/Parton rendition of “Creepin’ in,” but there are many tracks worth hitting the replay button on.
