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Customer Reviews:
- Great duets: I always think "& friends" albums are kind of awkward because of the compromise involved, but this really comes off well. "Heroes & Friends" itself is a great song, and the rest are really classic.
- Altogether pleasant pairings with deep-throated Randy...: This is a fine country duet disc with good guests, good songs, and Travis in good voice. Randy's career has not been quite as big as I thought it would become, based on his wonderful debut album, the one with "Diggin' Up Bones" on it, but it's been big enough, and durable enough. He is always interesting to hear, whether he is doing Gospel or secular music. And for this one, at this time, the price is nice as well.
- Great selection of duets: This set opens with the title track, the only one that Randy sings solo and a fitting tribute to the guests that appear on the remainder of the album. The big country hit was A few old country boys, the duet with George Jones (also featured on his guest album, Friends in high places). Most of the other guests are country singers but blues singer B B King joins Randy on Waiting for the light to change, while Clint Eastwood is guest on Smoking the hive. Those songs are all originals, as are The human race (with Vern Gosdin) and Walk our own road (with Kris Kristofferson). The remaining songs are all covers.
Three female guests are included but Emmylou (almost an automatic choice on this kind of project) is not among them. Dolly guests on Do I ever cross your mind, a song that she must love, having recorded at least five versions - first with Chet Atkins, then for her Heartbreak express album, then for this album, then for her Heart songs live album, then for Trio II. Tammy duets on We're strangers again and Loretta duets on Shopping for dresses. The oldest song here is Birth of the blues (with Willie Nelson). Conway Twitty joins Randy on his own song, Come see about me, not to be confused with the Supremes song of the same title. Merle Haggard duets with Randy on All night long, an old Bob Wills song. Roy Rogers completes the main album on (what else) a duet of Happy trails. If you enjoy traditional country music, you will find much to your liking here. - Crossover to Country: As a longtime rock and roll listener from New England, this CD opened my ears to country music. Every song is a treasure, each artist compliments Randy's smooth baritone in their own unique way. A Few Ole Country Boys with George Jones is a true classic.
- A great singer with great heroes and friends: Every song on this album is enjoyable to listen to, and a few of them are on my list of top Travis songs (esp. the one with Dolly). And, as a huge Eastwood fan, I love the Randy - Clint duet. Clint's voice at the end gives me chills! Definitely a fun album to put in your car because you can enjoy every song.
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