Classic Duets

In October 1957, Frank Sinatra, riding a "comeback" wave in which his acting and singing careers soared, gave TV a second shot on ABC, five years removed from an inauspicious two-year stint on CBS. The hybrid variety-drama show, done his way according to the record books, proved limp in the ratings as a weekly offering, and he played out the final two years of his three-year contract in a series of specials.

Jewels In The Crown is a duets compilation album by American Soul singer Aretha Franklin. It was released in 2007 by Arista, and comprises a combination of classic duets spanning Franklin's career, and two newly recorded duets with Fantasia and John Legend. It also contains two live duets, one from 1993, the other from 1998. The album concludes with Franklin's noted rendition of "Nessun Dorma" from the Grammy Awards of 1998, when she filled in last minute for Luciano Pavarotti. The album peaked at a moderate #54 on the Billboard main album chart and at #7 on the US R&B Album Chart, reportedly selling close to 20,000 copies during its chart run. As of October, 2009 the album has reportedly sold 107,000 copies in the US and about 140,000 worldwide.

Joan Baez - Rare, Live & Classic (1993) {3CD Box Set Vanguard VCD3-125/127 rec 1958 to 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.13 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 502 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 41 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958-1989, 1993 Vanguard | VCD3-125/127
Folk / Singer/Songwriter / Folk Revival / Folk-Rock

60 songs, 22 (!) previously unreleased-including duets with Dylan, the Dead, Kris Kristofferson, Donovan, Judy Collins and sister Mimi Farina, etc.-together with a 32-page full-color book packed with interviews and rare pix! From We Shall Overcome through The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down to Diamonds and Rust , her complete career. This is a big ol' box of Baez; certainly more than any casual fan would need. The hits are here ("Diamonds and Rust," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"), along with a treasure trove of rare duets (with Kris Kristofferson, Bob Gibson, Donovan, and others) and previously unreleased tracks (including a giddy 1965 concert duet with Bob Dylan on his "Mama, You Been on My Mind"). The depth and breadth of Baez's work–from her early traditional bent ("Silver Dagger") to her fine choices from contemporary writers (Merle Haggard, John Prine)–is well-represented. The striking beauty of her voice is, too.

Duets is the twenty-fourth studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John, released in 1993. It was initially a Christmas project of Elton John's, but that soon grew into an album of its own. The live version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with George Michael, track number 15 on the album, had already become a UK/US No. 1 hit in 1991. Three singles were released from the album in Britain: "True Love" (with Kiki Dee, reached #2), "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with drag queen RuPaul, reached #7) and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (with Marcella Detroit, reached #24). The album debuted at No. 7 in the UK.

Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn - Piano Duets - Great Times! (1950) {Riverside OJC 108 rel 1999}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 127 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 85 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 8 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1950, 1999 Riverside / Fantasy / OJC | OJC 108 / 00025218610827
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Piano

This CD reissues three unusual combo dates by Duke Ellington. Two of the sessions feature Ellington and his longtime musical partner Billy Strayhorn both playing piano (while assisted by either Wendell Marshall or Joe Shulman on bass and sometimes an unidentified drummer). The futuristic "Tonk" is the best-known performance but all eight numbers (which include "Cotton Tail" and "Johnny Come Lately") are quite fascinating. The remaining date has four songs that primarily serve as features for the cello of Oscar Pettiford who is accompanied by Ellington, bassist Lloyd Trotman, drummer Jo Jones and (on two tunes) the celeste of Strayhorn; "Perdido" and "Take the 'A' Train" are most memorable. Intriguing music.

Duets is an album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1993. Recorded near the end of Sinatra's career, it consists of electronically assembled duets between Sinatra and younger singers from various genres. The album was a commercial success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard albums chart, reaching No. 5 in the UK, and selling over 3 million copies in the US. It is the only Sinatra album to date to achieve triple platinum certification. Duets II is the 57th and last studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra. It was released in 1994, and was the sequel to the previous year's Duets. Phil Ramone produced the album and guest artists from various genres contributed their duet parts to Sinatra's already recorded vocals…