The classic Travis tunes come up next with “A Few Ole Country Boys,” a track that was recorded 21 years ago for the Heroes & Friends duets album with George Jones and now Jamey Johnson takes the young gun while Randy takes the Heroes line originally held by George Jones (who guests on a later track). The iconic “Forever and Ever Amen” still gets airplay on country radio to this day and with the Zac Brown Band providing harmonies on an inventive acoustic version of the song. It is fun and Zac and Randy sound great together on the Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet classic. “He Walked On Water” finds Randy singing with Kenny Chesney and the tune is as classic now as it was then and this is the kind of music Kenny Chesney was born to sing. Alan Jackson joins Randy for a medley of “She’s Got The Rhythm And I got The Blues)” and “Better Class of Losers” and it’s the kind of special medley that works well in concert and on the radio. The tunes were both written by Randy Travis and Alan Jackson as well.
A couple new tracks make their way on Anniversary Celebration including the duet “Love Looks Good On You,” a tune written by Gordie Sampson and Hilary Lindsey. It’s a smoldering, bluesy country ballad and while Randy’s voice is slightly deeper and not as ‘strong’ as it used to be, it is still a mighty fine instrument and the pairing with Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth was a smart one. Given that she started out at Opryland as a country songstress, the tiny artist certainly sounds great here. Tim Mensy and Roger Springer co-wrote “T.I.M.E.” a new tune that features Josh Turner and it’s a song that’s a ditty in the spirit of classic Joe Diffie and George Jones tunes. In other words, it’s pure fun.
Carrie Underwood joins Randy on the classic “Is It Still Over” and it’s as good as their duet on “I Told You So” and the new Warren Brothers/Lance Miller co-write “Can’t Hurt A Man” suits Randy and duet partner Tim McGraw very well. The great John Anderson joins Randy on “Diggin’ Up Bones,” a song co-written by Paul Overstreet, Al Gore (not the former VP from Nashville) and Nat Stuckey. The duet with the honey-voiced tenor Eamonn McCrystal “Someone You Never Knew” is surprisingly strong while “Didn’t We Shine” features a cavalcade of stars including Connie Smith, Joe Stampley, Gene Watson, Ray Price, Lorrie Morgan and George Jones. It’s the kind of classic song about time long gone (their period as superstars?) that used to be a huge part of country music. The song was originally a Waylon Jennings classic.
It stands to reason that a recording like this wouldn’t be for everyone but when you consider the amount of talent appearing on the disc, it’s a good bet that the recording would come off strong for those that like duets and remakes of some classics. And by choosing to record newer tunes along with classics, the album doesn’t feel like a ‘relic’ of the past but what it aimed to be, a celebration of Randy Travis and, in a sense, country music.
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