Oct 20, 3:48 PM EST George Jones and Merle Haggard, "Kickin' Out the Footlights ...
Again" (Bandit)
Country music heroes George Jones and Merle Haggard sidestep the usual duet formula on their new album, "Kickin' Out the Footlights ...
Again." Although they trade verses on d afour songs, the legends mostly take solo turns singing each other's hits for the rest of the 14-song collection.
That means the 69-year-old Haggard lends his rich tone to several Jones' classics, instilling quiet pain to "Things Have Gone to Pieces" and jaunty fun to "I Always Get Lucky with You," among others.
Jones, at age 75, has lost some of his range, but he compensates with nuanced phrasing, effectively expressing the desperation of "You Take Me for Granted" and the playfulness of "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink."
The two obviously know each other's material well, and they sing these standards with a natural ease, but sometimes without much emotional investment. Maybe that's why their most stunning work comes when they combine their talents on a new Haggard song, the outstanding "Born with the Blues.
" Fans also won't want to miss how these hard-partying old friends cut up on a cover of a Johnny Bond swing tune, "Sick, Sober Sorry."
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