Search - George Jones :: Friends in High Places

Great duets album featuring Shelby Lynne's debut track

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So far, George has released four albums like this, where different guests duet on different tracks, the others being My very special guests, Ladies choice and Bradley barn sessions, so he obviously enjoys this kind of project.At the time this album was recorded, eight of the singers were current or past country stars while two were unknown. One of those unknowns - Shelby Lynne - has since become a very successful singer, while the other - Tim Mensy - had some success as a singer but has achieved greater success as a songwriter. The eight established stars have all ended their hit-making days, though Emmylou continues to be successful - her albums still sell well.The big country hit from this album was A few old country boys (with Randy Travis). Emmylou is outstanding on All fall down - not the first or last time she recorded a song with George. Charlie Daniels is brilliant on Fiddle and guitar band. Vern Gosdin is an ideal partner on All that we've got left. Buck joins George for a revival of one of Buck's old hits, Love's gonna live here. Shelby showed that she was a star in the making on If I could bottle this up, her very first recording, although stardom proved more elusive than expected. I've been there is a great fun song. Ricky Skaggs joins George on You can't do wrong and get by, another great song. Ricky Van Shelton swings well on It hurts as much in Texas. Traveller's prayer, an excellent duet with Sweethearts of the rodeo, closes a fine album.If you enjoy listening to George Jones and you want more than just the hits, this is well worth a listen. Some of the tracks are available on albums by the other singers but most are not. I see that this album has been released in Australia paired with a selection of hits. Some of those hits are from his Sony/Columbia years but some are older. I don't know if they are re-recordings but in any case, it's worth buying just for the first ten tracks (this album) if you can't buy this album in its original form."