Uncommon Music - Let's Duet!

Written By: Nichole Wagner

CMT has a new reality show premiering on Friday called, "Can You Duet?" As if we haven't had enough American Idol, it's coming to haunt us over in country music land as well.
While Naomi Judd looks for the winners that make good television, we'll take a look at some (not all) real vocal marriages made in musical heaven.

Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris
As a member of the Fallen Angels (changed from the Turkeys because she didn't want to be in a band called the Turkeys), Emmylou Harris brought a female dimension to Gram's cosmic cowboy style. Unfortunately, Gram's untimely death in 1973 means that there's a limit to the music these two can create. Listen to: "In My Hour of Darkness," "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night" and the quintessential "Love Hurts."
The Complete Reprise Sessions set released a few years ago includes all of these tunes from "Grievous Angel" and "G.P." as well as lots of alternate versions and some super interviews from Emmy and Gram.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Two peas in the proverbial political pod, both Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne balance their time between singing and protesting. They've been arrested at protests together but they've also spent some studio time together. Both have the California sound and when combined and stirred slightly they sound fantastic. Listen to: "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," "My Opening Farewell" and Warren Zevon's "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me." If you can get your hands on a show with them and Bruce Springsteen or the Red Rocks, CO show that was broadcast on the internet in '99 listen and bask in the fabulousness.

Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks
They've drifted in and out of each other's lives. Stevie's joined Tom on tour twice: once in '86 when he was touring with Bob Dylan and more recently when she tagged along for a series of shows in '06. Of course, they were on each other's early 80s albums as well. For some reason, Tom's nasal whine and Stevie's distinctive sound blend unexpectedly well. Of course everyone knows about "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" so listen to "Insider" and "I Will Run To You."

John Prine and Iris Dement
If for no other reason than they can get away with singing lines like "He ain't been laid in a month of Sundays; Caught him once he was sniffin' my undies," and "swears like a sailor when she shaves her legs" in a country song, without cracking up John and Iris deserve a spot on any list of great duet pairs. Listen to: "In Spite of Ourselves," "We're Not the Jet Set," and "Let's Invite Them Over."

While you're at it, pretty much anyone John sings with makes a great duet. "Speed at the Sound of Loneliness" with Nanci Griffith and "Angel From Montgomery" with Bonnie Raitt are equally amazing. Finally, YouTube has a hilarious version of "In Spite of Ourselves" with John and Patty Griffin, though she lacks Iris' ability to sing it with a straight face.

Johnny and June Cash
The only couple on this list that's married, they made a name for themselves as a duet pair in concerts, TV shows and are now immortalized in "Walk The Line." Perhaps one of the greatest love stories in all of music, they needed each other. Musically speaking, listen to: "Jackson," "Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man" and "It Ain't Me Babe." Also, remember that June wrote "Ring of Fire."

Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
There's a reason they recorded multiple albums together and they've got whole "best of" albums devoted to their duets. They're in a three-way tie with Tammy Wynette and George Jones and Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner for country duet greatness. Listen to: "You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly," "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man," and "After the Fire Is Gone."

Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris
Yes, technically this is a trio. That's beside the point because the sound they make together is what plays in heaven. They did two albums, Trio and Trio 2 (creative name, right?) and they all floated in and out of each other's albums over the past thirty years. Emmy and Linda also recorded an album, "Western Wall" in 1999. Listen to: "To Know Him Is To Love Him," "Lover's Return," "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" and Neil Young's "After The Goldrush."