Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell: Old Yellow Moon

This excellent collaboration between Emmylou and Rodney, her former Hot Band cohort, presents a clean, straightforward recording of two legendary country singers laying down some great takes. Emmylou says, "I always hoped we would someday do this record, and now I can finally cross it off my bucket list!" We should be glad they finally got around to it. The album was produced by Emmylou's ex-husband, Brian Ahern (Anne Murray, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Roy Orbison), whose string of eleven albums he recorded with her 25 years ago remain some of her most classic work. James Burton, Emory Gordy, John Jorgenson, Vince Gill, and Bill Payne are among the excellent musicians lending their impeccable skills to Old Yellow Moon. The majority of the album was recorded by Donivan Cowart at Ahern's Easter Island Surround, in Nashville, TN, with assistant engineers John Baldwin and Noland O'Boyle. Two songs were recorded by the masterful Chuck Ainlay (Tape Op interview soon!) at Ronnie's Place Studio, also located in Nashville. This album has such an inviting and real sound about it - it's refreshing, in this digital age, to hear something that really reflects the songs and performances. Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME. (www.emmylouharris.com, www.nonesuch.com) - LC