Duets, part deux

As promised, my man Lyle Lovett tops my wish list of folks I wish would put out a whole CD of duets.

The list:

** LYLE LOVETT: As I mentioned last week, he's already hit homeruns with duets with Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin. And several of his records are woven through with tasty harmonies AND some bona fide duets with Miss Francine Reed (my homegirl from Atlanta!). He's a classy guy who knows how to really do a duet -- more than just singing with someone, it's complementing their talents, and letting your partner's talents complement yours. Lyle -- gentleman that he is -- can definitely rock that. And his ability to blend styles would give him access to some surprising duet partners, I think. Lyle and Shelby Lynne, anyone? Think about it ...

** STEVE EARLE: Yes Sean, you DID steal my thunder with your comment suggesting this one. :) But that just underscores how obviously excellent it would be. Steve has a weird voice, no doubt, and I don't think he could duet with just anyone. But someone with similar grit and edge? Lucinda Williams? Hells yes. And then, of course, he has a proven track record with Emmylou and his talented sister, Stacey Earle, so maybe he's not as limited as one might think.

** BECK: Yeah, Beck. He's another one who isn't afraid (or bad at) blending styles, so that opens up a ton of options for him. He already knocked our socks off with his "Sin City" cover with Emmylou (yep, her again), and I think he has much more in him. Would love to see him work with more folks, see what happens when his talents are blended with someone else's.

** GARY LOURIS: Well, shit. I guess he's not busy with the Jayhawks anymore (*sob!*), so maybe he should split his time between producing and ... duetting! He's the king of harmony, but I'd like to see him in more of a true duet format, too. I'm having a hard time thinking of anyone he wouldn't sound good with.

** ALISON KRAUSS: Almost in the same league as Emmylou as far as number and range and quality of guest appearances. She won tons of awards last year for "Whiskey Lullaby" with Brad Paisley, which was decent but not even close to her best work, in my opinion. And I should say here that I almost -- but not quite -- forgive her for duetting with Shania Twain (shudder, horrors) at an awards show once. That lapse in judgment aside, she does such great harmony with so many people ... but I'd love to hear do more for-real duets.

** GILLIAN WELCH: Oh, that voice. Her style. Sigh. I don't think she could be paired with just anyone, but have her sit in with some of these hot old-time bands (Old Crow Medicine Show, Avett Bros., King Wilkie) for some fun duets and it'd be like getting into a time machine -- maybe visiting a front porch somewhere in the 1930s and hearing an impromptu picking party. Hells yes.

Notice with most of these folks I didn't get too specific about with whom I think they should duet. I did that on purpose. One, because I'm lazy and am too distracted today by who's going to win America's Next Top Model in the marathon of two or three seasons ago I'm watching now on VH1. I know Adrian eventually wins, but I really like Elyse the best. Ahem. Two, one of my favorite things about duets is how two seemingly unlike artists can come together and make great music. Some of my favorite duets, on paper, seemed like they'd be horrible. But on a CD -- lordy, miracles do happen. So I don't want to pigeonhole anyone. I just want to keep my fingers crossed and hope, hope, hope that some or all of the artists on above list (and on your list) will hear my plea and kick my ass with a duet or two. Please?