When I looked at the new CD releases for 2008, I was surprised. I saw some names I expected, and some that really caught me off guard. One of those names was Anne Murray.

My first thought about Anne Murray Duets: friends & legends was that Anne was releasing a type of “greatest hits” project, a trip down memory lane with some other artists. Yes, I wanted to hear it, and I wanted to review it. But, that all changed. The minute I started to play the CD – I needed to hear it, I needed to review it. That's what I like about Pop Music. You can take some of the past, mix it with the present, and take it into the future.

Let me start with the talent. Anne Murray is beautiful, talented, and evergreen. Then, she is joined by a cast of women who are also beautiful, talented, and evergreen. And . . . Canadian! Together, they have completed a project that is timeless, and very much needed. For me, this CD offered not only love, but hope and courage to not stay the course, but to shake things up a bit.

This is also one of the most professional CD packages I’ve seen in a long time. There are quotes from Anne and her accompanying artists. You also get a bit of history about the songs. Nice liner notes with a nice sized type!

Anne Murray worked with Phil Ramone on this project. You know him! He has worked with Elton John, Billy Joel, Madonna, Chicago . . . on his list is some of the biggest names in music.

You will find a link to both Anne and Phil’s website at the bottom of the page.

My Favorites on Duets: friends & legends
Daydream Believer: I love this song. I loved it when it was released during my earliest of childhood by The Monkees. (Before there was Clay Aiken – there was Davy Jones). So now that I’ve told you my age, don’t fret, this song is all new again. Nelly Furtado shared the studio with Anne on this piece and it’s a great combination. I love how their voices offset one another.

You Won’t See Me: What would you do if you had covered a song by a famous band and one of the band members tells you that it was the best cover he’d ever heard. That’s what happened to Anne Murray. The night she won a Grammy award for “A Love Song”, John Lennon came to her dressing room and gave Anne the compliment about "You Won't See Me". On this CD, Anne covers the song with Shelby Lynne. This version has energy, spunk and great vocal strength. I think John Lennon would have liked it, too.

Snowbird: This was my father’s very favorite song, he’s gone now. I occasionally will hear the song on an oldies station, and I get a lump in my throat. When I listed to Anne Murray and Sarah Brightman’s version, the same thing happened, only different. It was like the song has come back to me in a new way. It’s hard to explain.

That’s what I love about music; it brings all types of emotions to all types of people.

~~~

Anne Murrary Duets: friends & legends
1. Danny’s Song with Martina McBride
2. I Just Fall In Love Again with Dusty Springfield
3. Another Pot O’ Tea with Emmylou Harris
4. Daydream Believer with Nelly Furtado
5. Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye with Jann Arden
6. Song For The Mira with Celtic Woman
7. Time Don’t Run Out On Me with Carole King
8. Cotton Jenny with Olivia Newton-John
9. A Love Song with k.d. lang
10. You Needed Me with Shania Twain
11. Nobody Loves Me Like You Do with Dawn Langstroth
12. You Won’t See Me with Shelby Lynne
13. Could I Have This Dance with Amy Grant
14. A Little Good News with Indigo Girls
15. Snowbird with Sarah Brightman
16. When I Fall In Love with Celine Dion
17. Si Jamais Je Te Revois with Isabelle Boulay