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For this recording, Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott have chosen to replicate a situation that is obviously one of their favorite scenarios -- sitting around the living room, just the two of them, playing for themselves and no one else -- and the joy is captured well on this disc.

Thirteen tracks -- only two traditional tunes, the rest mostly by O'Brien and Scott alone, together, and in combination with other collaborators, plus a couple of Hank Williams classics -- make up the program, and the best single word I can find to describe this set is 'comfortable'. There are no overdubs on this cd -- just Tim and Darrell, with a little help on a couple of tracks from Kenny Malone and Miles Wilkinson -- and the simplicity of the arrangements allows the great songwriting to shine through, unhindered by unnecessary trappings..

Standouts are the opener 'Walk beside me', 'With a memory like mine', 'Little Sadie' and 'Keep your lamp trimmed and burning' -- and the two Hank Williams numbers are gems, especially the stunning a capella rendition of 'A house of gold'. The first time I listened to this tune, I could swear I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up, just from the beauty of these two guys' voices.

This cd ranks right up there with some of the classic discs of the genre -- Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs' classic duet recording, Norman and Nancy Blake's BLIND DOG, and OLD TIME DUETS by the Whitstein Brothers. The mood on this disc is so relaxed that we could easily feel like we're eavesdropping on a Sunday afternoon session -- so sit back and enjoy!

I have long been a Tim O'Brien fan, but it was just this September that I was introduced to Darrell Scott at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. It was one of the few musical moments in my life that left me sitting in the audience with my mouth wide open. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon I heard Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott play a number of the tunes from this album as they played together during their respective sets. It was, simply, magical.

Perhaps my favorite tune on this album is "With a Memory Like Mine." Scott told the story of his dad (also a songwriter) writing the lyrics to this tune back in the 60s when it seemed that some of the Scott boys might be drafted to fight in Vietnam. This is one powerful tune.

If you like great pickin' and great songwriting, this is an album for you. The chemistry between O'Brien and Scott is otherworldly - you have to hear it to believe it.

I have been listening to Darrell for some time. This album, with the greatness of Tim Obrien combined, is amazing. Loved the gospel background with true bluegrass roots. Great for anyone who loves laid back picken'.

I have been a fan of Tim O'Brien since his days with Hot Rize. This duet album with like-minded multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott only reaffirms my opinion of O'Brien as one of the greatest folk artists performing today. While Scott may not be a household name (he appeared on both of O'Brien's two solo Howdy Skies outtings: 1999's "The Crossing" and 2001's "Two Journeys"), he complements O'Brien nicely playing mandolin, banjo and guitar. O'Brien plays mandola, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki and banjo. The two share lead vocals on the Hank Williams tune "Weary Blues from Waiting"; otherwise, they alternate between lead and harmony vocals, including a lovely acapella reading of Hank Williams' "A House of Gold." The rest of album consists of O'Brien and Scott originals, along with two traditional tunes ("Little Sadie" and "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning"). The album closes with the playful "The Second Mouse" including kazoo, toy trombone, slide whistle, harmonica and toy guitar accompaniment--it's a hoot! The album title is explained in the liner notes: "We sat across from each other and played these songs in real time in Darrell's living room." Real time. Real Music. Real Joy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you are a fan of Tim Obrien and are interested in Darryl Scott, this is a woderful continuation and introduction. The songs have a rawness that only live recording can provide, but an inate drive that makes it hard to believe that the songs came from a living room. the songs are passionate and the musicianship is wonderful. Enjoy

This is a great CD, especially if you consider they recorded it in a living room in only one week of 8 hour days. I have seen these 2 perform live together and they are wonderful. The title "Helen of Troy, Pennsylvania" has great banjo picking, very unique. I recommend this CD to all my friends.

I currently own somewhere around 1500 cds of many genres, and this gem is one of my desert island albums. Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott are two of the most all-around talented musicians on the planet, and they mesh perfectly. I bought this album years ago because Tim O'Brien is my favorite bluegrass singer. I don't like "clean" singers-- I like singers whose voices have character, and Tim's voice is absolutely perfect for bluegrass and old-time country. He also happens to be adept at virtually every instrument with strings, although not an astonishing virtuoso. This album introduced me to the genius that is Darrell Scott. His voice is quite different from Tim's. He isn't a raspy singer like O'Brien, but he has a perfect country voice without the annoying nasal tendencies of most popular country singers. (Incidentally, since he writes most of their songs anyway, if you want to know how pop country songs are SUPPOSED to sound, then listen to Darrell). Like O'Brien, he is also adept at pretty much everything with strings. Together, with no studio trickery and no band getting in the way, O'Brien and Scott recorded some of the most evocative and powerful country/folk/bluegrass I have ever heard. I admit it-- I get a kick out of listening to flashy instrumentalists (of which bluegrass has MANY), but sometimes it is just more satisfying to hear two soulful musicians pour out their guts, stripped of any inessential instruments or superfluous notes. This album is perfect, and anyone who wants to hear perfect country/folk/bluegrass with nothing extraneous needs to own it. I simply cannot say enough positive things about this album.

Unfortunately, Darrell Scott has never really recorded anything else like this album. His solo albums are wonderful, but they have larger arrangements, and frequently more of a rock influence. They are fantastic, particularly his live album with Kenny Malone and Danny Thompson (yes, from Pentangle). However, I would love to hear Darrell record like this more often. Tim O'Brien recently released Chameleon, which is a collection of solo acoustic recordings that comes close to this album, but doesn't quite reach the level of perfection here. The only other albums that really approach this album in quality and over-all mood are the Norman Blake/Tony Rice duet albums. Norman Blake's singing voice is nothing special, and Tony Rice's voice, while wonderful, doesn't have the dark qualities of O'Brien's, nor even Scott's voice. However, those albums are outstanding, simple, bluegrass duet albums.

I have been a fan of Tim O'Brien since his days with Hot Rize. This duet album with like-minded multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott only reaffirms my opinion of O'Brien as one of the greatest folk artists performing today. While Scott may not be a household name (he appeared on both of O'Brien's two solo Howdy Skies outtings: 1999's "The Crossing" and 2001's "Two Journeys"), he complements O'Brien nicely playing mandolin, banjo and guitar. O'Brien plays mandola, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki and banjo. The two share lead vocals on the Hank Williams tune "Weary Blues from Waiting"; otherwise, they alternate between lead and harmony vocals, including a lovely acapella reading of Hank Williams' "A House of Gold." The rest of album consists of O'Brien and Scott originals, along with two traditional tunes ("Little Sadie" and "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning"). The album closes with the playful "The Second Mouse" including kazoo, toy trombone, slide whistle, harmonica and toy guitar accompaniment--it's a hoot! The album title is explained in the liner notes: "We sat across from each other and played these songs in real time in Darrell's living room." Real time. Real Music. Real Joy. [Running Time - 51:04] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I own some of Tim O'briens work and some of Darrell Scott's work, and I enjoy this album more than either of them. The collection of songs, and the collaboration of these 2 musicians makes this the kind of album you can sit and listen to straight through...then listen again and again for years. As one of the other reviewers said, its hard to believe these were recorded in a living room. Unless you just can't stand banjos, guitars and mandolins, you'll enjoy this album.
The tunes are mostly what I'd describe as "lively". Some might fall into the "heartfelt" category as well.

The versatility of these two not only astounds me but it lets us know that there are still new and exciting songs to be written. Harmony at its finest,sit back, turn it up a bit, and play air mandolin.....