Kickin’ Out the Footlights… Again - Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones
Subtitled “Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones,” this set features just that: George Jones performing five Merle Haggard songs and Haggard returning the favor, plus four duets. A long overdue follow-up to 1982’s “A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine,” the new project shows the deep respect the two legends have for each other’s work. Jones’ turn on “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is as rollicking as the original, and his voice fits the song like a glove. Haggard’s take on “The Window Up Above” is a memorable retelling of Jones’ classic tale of love gone wrong, and their duet on Bob Russell and Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” complete with playful patter, is a perfect close to this wonderful collection. The only disappointment is that it took almost 25 years for Haggard and Jones to team up again. Billboard
