In the duo’s second studio effort, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris create a sparer, smokier, more road weary atmosphere than on 2013’s Old Yellow Moon; where that album stomped and hollered, The Traveling Kind whispers, wails and broods.
Harris shines in a lead vocal role and when backing Crowell produces a result much greater than the sum of its parts with her trademark harmonies sticking like Tennessee honey to Crowell’s sweet bourbon tones. This is exemplified in the title track, a mournful ride down a heart-worn highway, where the two voices combine effortlessly to devastating effect. The chugging, shuffling country band that accompanies them is utilitarian in arrangement; not a note is wasted. Joe Henry, the man behind the console for Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello and Aimee Mann, exquisitely produces the whole affair. He creates the feeling of a late-night dive bar shrouded in cigarette smoke, the two stars delivering their laments to gnarly old truckers grizzling into their beers.
The album includes six tracks written especially by the veteran singer-songwriters, including the bluesy The Weight Of The World, where a minimal accompaniment cruises coolly under Crowell’s lead vocal, and the delightful barroom whinge, If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now. When such strong production, songwriting and vocal talent are all in abundance, it’s hard to come up with a dud. The Traveling Kind is a high quality country offering by two of the best in the business.
