I’ve reached into the bins to pull out four albums created primarily by two guys working in close harmony with each other, whether for a one-off or as part of a longer partnership. As could be said for just about any post, mine or anyone’s, this is arbitrary–there are countless qualified men and women who could be in this sort of list. Part of my motive here, as is often true, is to share some music from the various decades of my life with my sons. But I hope people who aren’t my sons find something to enjoy!
ROUGH MIX by Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane (1977). A personal favorite, for reasons that may become clear, but listening again recently I conclude that my reverence is deserved. Two brilliant guys, who of course had their musical and career ups and downs, here recorded with a bunch of stellar help. The album is schizophrenic but it’s also one great song after another with a sincere, fun, earnest and honest feel throughout. I suggest settling into that low leather bucket seat behind the steering wheel of a red Triumph Spitfire circa 1978, slipping your battered Rough Mix cassette into the deck then gently easing out on the clutch as you speed off across several states! Having first love-of-life Cathy chatting and grooving and laughing in the other bucket seat is highly recommended! You bet I’m speaking from experience. (The sounds of Ian Dury and Gruppo Sportivo also bounce joyously into my ears as I relive this scenario!)
SONGS FOR DRELLA by John Cale and Lou Reed (1990). A heartfelt musical remembrance of Warhol, from two who knew. They were Velvet Underground, then they were antagonists, then they were two artists with common ground. Andy was Andy and I guess he always will be, even if it’s only fifteen minutes in a grand scheme. Looking back from 2020 I find that this album had massive press coverage when released, but it wasn’t just a sell-job.
25 GREATEST HITS by Sam and Dave (1989 Compilation). Ok I’m cheating by resorting to a Best Of album. If you don’t already know these two Major Dudes then it’s high time. If you do know them then you’re probably happy to see their names pop up. They honed their craft together as a duo for years before it paid off for them, but pay off it did. There are several excellent collections out there, along with some of their original great albums. They got me dancin’ when I was a kid, and I have a vague recollection of my Dad looking like he wanted to dance, too (but I guess at that time he was much younger than I am now!). They still sound great. If you know the Blues Brothers then you know where the Brothers were coming from.
ALI AND TOUMANI, Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté (recorded 2005). I’m referring to their second collaboration, released in 2010 well after Toure’s death in 2006 from bone cancer (from which he was suffering during the recording). Their first collaboration, In the Heart of the Moon, 2005, won many accolades but for some reason I’m drawn to this one. Two masters from different African traditions bringing it together and bringing it on in a relaxed, life-affirming way.