This smartly done collection of duets(mostly)featuring mandolin & guitar accompaniment is somewhat reminiscent of two classic albums of that genre: RICKY SKAGGS & TONY RICE's great early Sugar Hill album(SH-3711, Skaggs & Rice) and the superb Rounder issue by Peter McLaughlin & Josh Crowe (ROU-314). There's nothing weak or out of place on this well-produced album, but to me the real highlights are the six tracks that just feature the mandolin & guitar(and sometimes Ronnie Simpkins' bass fiddle), and for my money the entire album could have been done that way. On the other hand, some may welcome the variety provided by the other six cuts, which include an unaccompanied duet, several tracks with fiddle added(Aubrey Haynie), and a solo each by Connell(with guitar) and Rigsby(the unaccompanied OLD SHIP OF ZION. It's a powerful, tastefully done old-style duet singing and the album is a winner and highly recommended. DARK & THORNY, JEALOUS LOVER, ROLLIN' ON, SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE, GOODBYE MAGGIE, OUR DARLIN'S GONE, ORPHAN GIRL, MEET ME BY THE MOONLIGHT, etc.
