Pop legend Lionel Richie released his new country duet album “Tuskegee” Tuesday, which includes numerous tracks of Richie’s memorable hits.
Richie created “Tuskegee” as a country-crossover album that includes some of today’s hottest country stars such as Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Nettles, Jason Aldean and others, to sing along with Richie and his hits.
Richie and Blake Shelton kick off the album with “You Are.” This upbeat love song expresses a man’s feelings about a woman that he cannot get enough of and there’s no one else like her in the world.
“You Are” will have you humming along with the saxophones and harmonicas.
“Say You, Say Me” starts out as a slow dance song then rapidly picks up the pace when Jason Aldean contributes his distinct southern voice. Richie’s lyrics of “Say You, Say Me” convince someone that their significant other will always be there no matter what, especially through the bad times.
Richie and Aldean’s voices match perfectly as you hear the sound of a piano playing solo in the background.
Darius Rucker joins Richie in “Stuck on you.”
Rucker and Richie use their Jazz and R&B tones of voices to describe their journey on returning home to a woman whom they loved deeply and thought she would never wait around.
Rucker’s deep county voice enhances “Stuck on You” to its fullest potential.
“My Love” is another slow song that covers the life of a man who sees he has a difficult relationship with his girl by not spending quality time with her and he is amazed how she still stays with him. Country superstar Kenny Chesney has recorded songs in the past about this theme and because of that; you can tell he set the mood for the music.
One of country’s well-known trios Rascal Flatts is known for their upbeat hits. Richie included the group in “Dancing on the Ceiling,” which is telling everyone who is listening to the song to get up and dance because there is no other greater feeling when you boogie to the beat. Gary Levox, Rascal Flatt’s lead singer, stretches his singing voice to hit the high notes along with Richie, which makes great accompanists along with their electric guitars.
“Hello” features Jennifer Nettles from the group Sugarland, but it isn’t Nettles song “Hello” from the duo’s first album. “Hello” is about a man stumbling upon a woman who he has been noticing everywhere he goes. The man questions her about why does she keep hanging around his place of living, but then restarts the conversation by saying, hello. Nettles and Richie go back and forth by taking turns of singing the lyrics as if having the conversation in real life.
Richie’s country duet album “Tuskegee” includes other country artists and familiar hit singles from the pop star that both country and pop genre fans would enjoy listening to.
