Some people are clearly disappointed by the low Emmylou content on this compilation although the front cover clearly says 20 country recordings featuring the duet or backing vocals of Emmylou Harris. That said, Emmylou seems to be less in evidence on this volume than on its predecessor.
In picking out highlights, I've based my assessment purely on the music and not on how much Emmylou contributes to each track. My favorite track here is Dreaming my dreams, a song that Crystal Gayle, Waylon Jennings and others have recorded. Here, Mike Auldridge sings and plays mandolin but you have to listen closely to hear Emmylou. Beneath a painted sky comes from Tammy Wynette's acoustic masterpiece, Higher ground. Stormy weather, a Leo Sayer song that country mans associate with Stella Parton, is here via Tanya Tucker's cover from her album, Should I do it? Bobbie Cryner's contribution, Too many tears too late, showcases her talent superbly. I'll take my time going home (Barry and Holly Tashian), Flower in the desert (Jim and Jesse McReynolds) and When you get a little lonely (Nicolette Larson) are among the other outstanding tracks here. There are many other brilliant songs, too numerous to mention individually.
The liner notes are comprehensive and mostly very impressive, although the writer fails to mention that Tanya Tucker recorded a duet with Emmylou, Sister's coming home, on Emmylou's album Blue Kentucky girl. The writer also spells Bobbie Cryner's first name incorrectly as Bobby. Despite these blips, there's a lot of information here, much of which I didn't know so I'll allow the occasional slip.
Taken for what it is, which is a collection of great country music by a wide variety of singers, this is brilliant although you won't find many hits here. Just don't expect to hear too much of Emmylou. Judged as an Emmylou album, it would rate one star, but judged for what it is, I have no hesitation in awarding it five stars.
This is not as good as Duets or the two disc pair, GP and Grievous Angel, that Emmylou did with Graham Parsons, both of which are superlative and should merit 5 plus stars. However, those cds would be hard to top. It's also not as quite as good as Vol. 1 of this series which had some excellent songs, and wich I would rate 4 plus stars. The problem I had with this CD is on some of the tracks you really wouldn't know that Emmylou is on them. Also some of these tracks are a little too twangy country for me. That being said there are a number of gems on this cd which make it well worth owning. I favor those where Emmylou is dueting or where she has a strong background/harmony vocal and really shines such as Beyond the Blue, Dreamin' my Dreams, or Only a Woman's Heart. I'd also include Greenville in that bunch, which is a great song, although it would have been better with a different lead singer. I'm thrilled that this series exists and can't wait for the next installation. My suggestion would be for the compilers to focus on those songs where Emmylou has a more significant role, rather than just one of many background singers, where her wonderful voice is not readily discernible. Two suggestions for the next compilation: Emmylou/Allison Krauss, Emmylou/Linda Ronstadt.
