Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell: Begonias
By Jonathan Flax
That rare breed the duet record arrives this week in the form of a warm collaboration between former North Carolina neighbors Thad Cockrell (who has since relocated to Nashville) and Whiskeytown alumna Caitlin Cary.
Recorded in Nashville at Alex The Great Studios with co-producer Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Jill Sobule), Begonias is steeped in a mostly easy-listening country atmosphere, along with moments of infectious roots rock ( Second Option ).
No matter the musical template, Cockrell and Cary make a formidable team. Close harmonies on songs like Two Different Things and Something Less Than Something More betray the familiarity between the two singer-songwriters, both personally and musically.
Even better, though, is when Cockrell and Cary seem to sing to one other, as with the traditional-sounding - though just slightly and appealingly askew - ballad Please Break My Heart .
There is a deep tradition in Nashville of records like this. Timeless and tuneful, Begonias fits comfortably into a rich history of great duets.
Take note: Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell perform at 9pm Thu., June 16, at Mercy Lounge, 1 Cannery Row. Admission is $7. Call 251-3020 for more information.