Note: about 6 months ago I was “cleaning up” my blog and took out a lot of old posts that I no longer thought should be left on the blog. But since then I have had a number of people ask me what happened to this or that Musical Tribute post, and I realized that those Musical Tribute posts that I had left up continue to get page hits week after week. Apparently some people listen to them and like to come back to them. And, of course, we have a lot of new readers on OS since they were originally posted. So, little by little, I am reconstructing and editing those posts that I had taken down, and re-posting them. This is one.
A lot of people look at my biography and assume that I must be some sophisticated fellow who breathes another atmosphere. While I worked for a lot of years near the top of the DC public service world, and later in the NYC corporate world, those worlds were never me.
My roots are in rural and small town America and it is to that world Sue and I have returned. I grew up poor, made a little money, gave most of it away, and ended up with just enough to get by on. That is no problem since neither Sue nor have ever given much thought to owning things. We buy most things used or at discount. I guess you could say we are “cheap,” or frugal, if that sounds better. That’s true, but it is more true that we value more highly things that money can’t buy.
What I am taking a long way around a low fence saying is that I think it is necessary to understand this background before you listen to the music below. The truth is that this good old boy still rides motorcycles when his med condition lets him, dips snuff, cusses a bit more than a preacher should, and is grateful for every day that God gives me.
I like most kinds of music but there is no time to listen to it all. My collection of a couple hundred albums is mostly classical, American standards – and country. And I won’t explain that because I don’t know why.
I love vocal duets when sung well and the music has something to say that moves me. And I particularly love country music duets. So as a change of pace from my often “serious” side I want to share some music that I love, and hopefully a few of you might find something in it as well.
The duets below are just five of probably over a hundred or so country music duets I love.
And, to show that I am not just locked into country, the final duet is one I just stumbled upon on YouTube and fell in love with. I guess it is just a pop duet but I find it absolutely inspiring and lovely. Since I first heard it, Sarah has used it as the background music for a heart rending advertisement for the ASPCA. I hope its beauty will draw in some needed money to help thousands of abused and abandoned pets.
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There are now many duet “groups” in country music, like Brooks and Dunn, but these duos rarely sing music written for duet, instead taking turns singing solos or one person singing most of the songs. Jack and Misty wrote music for duet singing.
The rest of the duets here are by performers who have solo careers but have come together specifically to cut a particular song. Some of those, if successful, and most of these were number one hits on the country charts, will then pair up now and again to produce additional singles. Most will never sing duets together again.
I hope you enjoy these songs and artists. If not, I still hope it has taken your mind off your troubles, if only for a while.
Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan,"Somewhere in Virginia in the Rain"
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Reba McEntire and Ronnie Dunn, “If You See Him, If You See Her”
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, “Islands in the Stream”
Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban , “In The Arms Of The Angel”
Monte
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Comments
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan
Jali: Thanks much, glad you enjoyed!
Monte
I still love the Willie-Waylen duets. But it was Willey with Merle on Pancho and Lefty that I've never stopped liking.
By the way, that picture of the Weavers grabbed me. They were terrific.
Monte