Trio 2

Superstar collaborations can be strange beasts - either exercises in vanity and ego, or an attempt by the bean counters to bloat the corporate coffers. When, on the other hand, the participants have waited 11 years to do it again one might be forgiven for expecting the delay to be worthwhile.

Good news then, for Trio 2 is an exercise in understated brilliance, every note, every harmony, a droplet of honeyed sound. The strengths displayed here rest in the swapping of lines and verses, the absolute telepathy between the players and the decision by longterm Ronstadt (and Little Feat) producer George Massenburg to keep it simple and to let this wonderful music speak for itself.

This is a particularly notable on John Starling's 'He Rode All The Way To Texas'. It retains its old-timey-feel, every word heartfelt and meaningful. It's nice too to see the talents of Donagh Long given proper recognition in a beautiful, soft, string driven version of 'Never Be The Sun' - maybe it will lead him to even greater things.

In Trio 2 we have been blessed by one of the classiest, most beautiful, albums of this or any other year. Listen, and be, as I have been, totally enraptured.