To celebrate his 25th anniversary -- marked from the 1986 release of his major-label debut
Storms of Life, not his independent 1978 release under the name Randy Traywick --
Randy Travis rounded up a bunch of stars to cut duets of his biggest hits. Apart from Broadway dynamo Kristin Chenoweth appearing out of nowhere on “Love Looks Good on You,” there are no big surprises either in song selection, duet partners, or arrangements; sure,
Zac Brown brings “Forever and Ever, Amen” into
James Taylor territory, but that’s a marginal move, offset by straightforward readings of “Diggin’ Up Bones” with
John Anderson,
Alan Jackson popping up for a medley of “Better Class of Losers/She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues),” and
Jamey Johnson on “A Few Ole Country Boys.” There may be nothing shocking here, but it’s all pleasant, and it’s nice to find staunch traditionalist
Travis sounding at ease singing with
Don Henley and
Carrie Underwood. Perhaps this 25th Anniversary Celebration is a party that can be missed, but it nevertheless provides a good time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine