The whole album is up at YouTube, BTW, and I'm still digesting it; so far my fave (which is not really saying much) cuts are the above and Chrissie's take on The Stones' "Sway" with Lucinda Williams.
I'll stipulate that Chrissie's voice remains undimmed, the songs are well chosen ("Every Little Bit Hurts" may be my favorite Motown ballad ever), and the arrangements and production seem apt. I just dunno if the whole thing feels really...I think necessary is the word.
Ask me again in a week.
But in the meantime -- your thoughts?
14 comments:
I've made it a practice lately to avoid shitting on people's posts. If I don't like something, and I often don't, I'll say it over at my place. Why rain on someone's parade? But you asked.
This record is every bit as horrible as I expected it would be. The song choices are lazy and the arrangements are boring. Yes, I love Chrissie as much as the next guy. But a covers/duets record, especially one this bad, is the death knell. And sorry, that Julian track is unlistenable to me.
I'm not necessarily disagreeing.
Yes, Chrissie’s voice is still fantastic. I liked Me and Mrs Jones with k.d. lang, and County Line with Alan Sparhawk. A couple others were okay, but the whole things sounds like the generic covers heard in strip-mall coffee shops, all so safe and dull. Try Valve Bone Woe instead, it is so much better. https://www.discogs.com/master/1602007-Chrissie-Hynde-With-The-Valve-Bone-Woe-Ensemble-Valve-Bone-Woe
- Paul in DK
I'm trying to like "Sway" perhaps one of my favorite Stones songs.
A positive is that I finally know the lyrics - a down side was Chrissies voice ending in up note in lyrics.
It kinda reminds me of bootleg recordngs back in the Smoking Pig days
rob
I agree with Sal. Except for Lucinda's track the entire album is pretty meek and weak,
Captain Al
Duets records, as a sub-genre, are typically terrible. I liked a few songs on this one, but not many. Here's my question- has anyone done a duets record that stood up next to their other efforts? Anyone at all? After I listened to this one, I thought "so Chrissie Hynde has run out of ideas".
I liked it more than Sal did, but I'm not likely to throw it on again anytime soon. (Full review coming soon to everybodysdummy.com.)
These two records might not technically count as "duets," though every track on each features the main artist and a special highlighted guest, and I think both are fantastic.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band- Preservation
https://www.discogs.com/master/422923-Preservation-Hall-Jazz-Band-Preservation-An-Album-To-Benefit-Preservation-Hall-The-Preservation-Hall
Toots & The Maytals- True Love
https://www.discogs.com/release/2695406-Toots-And-The-Maytals-True-Love
Steve is going to hate this -
Bing Crosby/David Bowie
Little Drummer Boy
Sal finds the exceptions to the rule. PHJB and Toots are both so great, I'm not surprised they broke the general rule.
When Chrissie duetted with Ali Campbell (UB40) way back when with 'I Got You Babe' it was much, much better.
I have 2 duet albums I like: Jules Shear and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Both featured original material. Predictable covers albums are a different matter.
Yes to both! That Jules record "Between Us" is stunning!
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