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Best Country Duet?
For the moment, my criteria are only the quality of the voices and the appeal of the harmonies. The harmony is a tough one, because sometimes the easiest ones to sing can be beautiful, so I’m not trying to judge on harmonic complexity only.
This is in no way an exhaustive list, but perhaps the beginning of an ongoing conversation. I’d like to hear others’ lists.
Here’s my top five:
5. NQ Arbuckle and Carolyn Mark, “When I Come Back.”
This one was tough, a toss-up between it and “Officer Down.” Their voices work really well together through their whole duet album. But I like the angst of the lyrics behind NQ’s growls in this one and the kind of urgent feel of the arrangement.
4. George Jones and Melba Montgomery, “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds.”
I love the throaty twang of her voice.
3. Steve Earle and Siobhan Kennedy, “Poison Lovers.”
I don’t know why I love this one so much, but I play it all the time. I like the way Earle sings in the last chorus, changing the harmony, and letting these little grunts and sighs into his voice.
2. Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris, “Greenville.”
Well. These two voices. Amazing harmonies. Nothing else to say.
1. Louvin Brothers, “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby.”
Anyone care to dispute this one?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sarah clark on -
Or Mark Knopfler and Emmylou- All the Roadrunning.... that song just brings me to my knees.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Boardman on -
I'll second "Baby Ride Easy" by Carlene Carter and Dave Edmunds with the famous lines:
If your lovin' is good
And your cookin' ain't greasy
HITCH UP the chuck wagon
And we'll ride away
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Permalink Reply by Bob Hatfield on
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Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson - Wreck & Ruin " Adam and Eve" love that song!
Dailey & Vincent
Shaver - Tramp on your Street " Heart of Texas & Oklahoma wind" with Waylon
Tim O'brien & Darrell Scott - real time
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Permalink Reply by Rick Fiddler on -
"The Quiet Life" is my favorite duet from Wreck & Ruin.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Maynard on -
I love Ernest Tubbs big grin in the background!
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Permalink Reply by Kyla Fairchild on -
One of my favorites is Kelly Willis and Robbie Fulks doing Parallel Bars.
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Permalink Reply by Henry Jasen on
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I wanted to mention "Parallel Bars" also, but I didn't know who sang it. Thanks for all you do for ND.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Sullivan on
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Sticking to your criteria of Country duets with great harmonies may I suggest:
No One Is Going to Love You Better - Heather Myles and Merle Haggard
How's the World Treating You - Alison Krauss and James Taylor
You and Me and Time - George Jones and Georgette Jones
My Kind of Woman - Vince Gill and Patty Loveless
The New Partner's Waltz - Linda Ronstadt and Carl Jackson
Love and Happiness - Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
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Permalink Reply by simon2307 on -
I heartily recommend you check out My Darling Clementine for a batch of original songs written and performed by a UK duo, including these.
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Permalink Reply by Henry Jasen on
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I love Lyle Lovette and Francine Reed
The first thing that came to my mind though was Johnny and June doing Jackson. Another that I haven't noticed yet is Sonny and Cher doing "I've Got You, Babe". Am I too old and conventional?
Willie and Waylon doing "Pancho and Lefty" is also a favorite.
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Permalink Reply by Lucky Mud on -
Okay, Gillian....I've read through a lot of these great choices, but I showed up late for the dance - so if this has been said already, I apologize. My vote goes to Fairytale in New York with Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl, written by MacGowan and Jem Finer. The song breaks my heart every time I listen to it.
Mike
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Permalink Reply by Russ Cobe on -
Too many to choose from. Here's a list of some of my favorites. There are a few repeats from earlier lists and some additions:
Love Hurts - Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris
The Battle - Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary
Conversations About A Friend (Who's in Love With Katie) Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell
Keep Your Distance - Buddy & Julie Miller
Oh My Sweet Carolina - Ryan Adams and Emmylou Harris
Juanita - Sheryl Crow & Emmylou Harris (Gram Parsons cover, from Return of the Grievous Angel tribute album)
The Wedding Song - Charlie Robison & Natalie Maines
Golden Ring - George Jones & Tammy Wynette. I actually like the version they did in 1994 on George Jones' Bradley Barn Sessions album.
Whiskey Lullabye - Brad Paisley & Allson Krauss
God's Wing'ed Horse - Buddy & Julie Miller
A Song for You - Whiskeytown (Gram Parsons cover, from Return of the Grievous Angel tribute album. It's not officially a duet, but Caitlin Cary's harmony is so perfect on this)
Little Chapel - Dwight Yoakam & Heather Myles
Warm and Tender Love (Percy Sledge cover) - Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell. This may be my favorite of all the ones I've listed. Here's a performance on you tube, but this pales in comparison to the album version from "Begonias."
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