Rhonda Vincent & Daryle Singletary - American Grandstand
In this episode, we're featuring a good old-fashioned duet album from Rhonda Vincent & Daryle Singletary: "American Grandstand" (2017). These two have been friends since the mid-90s when they were both labelmates at Giant Records - and this album has been years in the making. Now that the timing is right, the result is sublime. Singletary's baritone takes on a surprisingly good harmony vocal role on many of these songs, while Vincent's lead is pure and simple. These duets were recorded the old-fashioned way: both singers were in studio at the same time when the tracks were laid down, which leads to a wonderful result. Strong steel guitar and fiddles lead the listener through a collection of classic duet tunes, including the Jones/Wynette staple "Golden Ring", the Twitty/Lynn collaboration "After The Fire Is Gone", a surprisingly good "Above & Beyond (The Call Of Love)" from the pen of Harlan Howard and an original, "American Grandstand", written specifically for the album by Vincent is also a highlight. A deep knowledge and respect for the traditions of country music duet stylings from both singers make this one of the best releases of 2017.