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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Artists Rule!, May 26, 2004
This review is from: Nancy & Lee 3 (Audio CD)
It's easy to be cynical about classic artists trying to recapture the magic of days gone by. Duet reunions at the altar of record sales are usually more embarrassing than anything else. So what about Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood? One great (1968) album which was an eclectic mix of hit singles, tomfoolery and great music. And one 1972 LP which didn't quite hit the same mark, or a different one for that matter. Is it worth revisiting the formula in 2004?NANCY & LEE 3 is proof positive that classic artists produced properly can blow the competition out of the water. Forget that crap about "not making make records like that anymore". Nancy and Lee's latest is a sumptuous reminder that their successes of the sixties weren't a flash in the pan, and that when two great artists team up with a great arranger - and they all care enough to get it right - you can expect some great music. (A few tracks into this album and my only question is: "Why did it take them all so long to do it?") Everything you'd expect from them is here - by the bucketload. The fun, the stylistic diversity, the great music, the great songs: all of it treated to Billy Strange's magnificent, and sometimes heartstopping, arrangements. This is not Nashville dreck- it's an ambitious and highly successful statement of musical artistry. I don't think Nancy has sounded better on record in decades. She's certainly got her groove goin'! Lee sounds just like Lee an octave lower, if that's possible! Their harmonies are better than ever. It's a case of Nancy and Lee ARE - as opposed to Nancy and Lee were...that's what this album is really all about. Here's the track-by-track lowdown. You guys are familiar with "Goin' Down Rockin'" & "Barricades" and I dislike the song "After The Lovin'" so much I'll spare you the rant...(tho Steve Leibman singled it out for praise on national TV the other day, so what do I know?) "Gypsies And Indians": Fabulous! Classic Nancy and Lee inter-racial sex epic: he left his arrows on the sand - get the picture? This track has real hit potential in a fair world. Pop is rarely done this well. "The Hungry Years": Nancy takes the lead on Neil Sedaka's most haunting ballad with Lee doing a not-so-great voice-over. Nancy's solo on this (Track 14) is superb. She nails the song perfectly as a solo. "Don't Let Go": N&L get real down and dirty on this one. They've slowed the tempo way down and it works. "Strangers, Lovers, Friends": Sad and slow, with some haunting guitar and dark string fills. Lovely. "Save The Last Dance For Me": A spectacular song - already done brilliantly by The Drifters and Phil Spector with Tina Turner, but it's new again with Nancy and Lee's beautiful Tex-Mex take on the song. Gave me goosebumps. "Texas Blue Moon": This one screams "HIT!" One fantastic cut. Pure country and very good country. "Loving You Loving Me": Another great country duet written by Lee with a stunning polished arrangement. "Is Making A Little Love Out Of The Question?" What would a Nancy & Lee album be without the bickering?!! I love it! "She Won't": How wonderful is it to hear Duane Eddy's guitar leading N&L through this dark Lee Hazlewood classic! This is magnificent prime Nancy and Lee. A five-minute opus which pulls out all the stops. "Pack Saddle Saloon": Great! But it will spoil everything if I tell! In short, if you've ever heard magic in the combo of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (millions have) then this is a deliciously satisfying treat with your name on it!
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~ Ann-Margret
~ Nancy Sinatra
~ Nancy Sinatra
~ Nancy Sinatra
~ Lee Hazlewood
is Nancy Sinatra's 13rd studio release. Browse Nancy Sinatra's Discography 
