Before raising her profile as a solo artist, Emmylou Harris established herself as the harmony queen of contemporary music, from her partnership with Gram Parsons through sessions with the likes of Bob Dylan. Duets showcases her ability to bring out the best in other singers, though its grab-bag selection doesn't necessarily showcase Harris at her best. Released to capitalize on the success of her initial Trio project with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, it compiles her collaborations with a variety of artists from the late Parsons (their riveting rendition of "Love Hurts") to Southern Pacific ("Thing About You," a Tom Petty obscurity) to George Jones ("All Fall Down," an album highlight) to Don Williams (their hit duet of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You"). From the sublime (Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson) to the irrelevant (John Denver, Earl T. Conley), the collection is more of a marketplace filler than a cohesive artistic statement. --Don McLeese

Customer Rating:
Summary: Who Is Don McLeese?
Comment: "[T]he collection is more of a marketplace filler than a cohesive artistic statement." It's a collection of duets, entirely appropriate in that that's precisely what Ms. Harris does best: sing harmony with others, many of whom would be difficult to accompany (Dylan, for one). Not a cohesive artistic statement? Mr. McLeese's comment would be right at home with observations made by people coming out of a Bergman film and, lacking the good sense to shut up because they didn't get it, say things like, "The lawn functions quite well as a symbol of alienation, but it is perhaps a bit heavy-handed." Ignorance is tolerable, but when it become aggressive, it is at least annoying. --Michael Punches Duets

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Customer Rating:
Summary: LOVE THIS CD
Comment: The duets on this CD brought back so many memories and I play it just about evey day.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Emmylou et al...WOW
Comment: Contains such hits as Lovin' You Feelin' Again, with Roy Orbison. This is a no brainer if you like EH.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Duets with EmmyLou Harris
Comment: This CD is okay. I was hoping for a different version of one of the songs(which is the reason I bought the CD).

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Classic Emmylou
Comment: The harmonies here are exquisite. Not sure what album Amazon's reviewer listened to, but this, as with most of her work, showcases Emmylou at her best.

And, not to sound too nitpicky, but how can anyone who claims to be a true fan spell her name Emmy Lou?

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