Personnel: George Jones (vocals); Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello (vocals, guitar); Ricky Skaggs (vocals, fiddle); Chet Atkins, Dickey Betts, Don Potter, Ernie Thacker, Freddy Powers, Glenn Keener, Jack Clement, Jack W. Routh, Jerry Hensley, Johnny Cash, Ken Bell, Larry Byrom, Mac McAnally, Mark Casstevens, Mark Goldenberg, Pat Flynn, Pete Wade, Phil Baugh, Reggie Young, Richard Bennett, Rodney Crowell, Tommy Allsup, Vince Gill, Biff Watson, Billy Sanford, Junior Blankenship, Jimmy English, Danny Parks, Steve Gibson, Albert Lee, Cliff Parker, Dale Siegfried, Bobby Thompson, Boomer Castleman, Brent Mason, Brian Ahern, Charlie McCoy (guitar); Dan Dugmore, Doyle Grisham, Hank DeVito, Jim Vest, Pete Drake, Tommy Spurlock, Weldon Myrick, Sonny Garrish, John Hughey, Bobby Turner, Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Marty Stewart (mandolin); Curly Ray Cline, Johnny Gimble, Mark O'Connor , Rob Hajacos, Art Stamper, Stuart Duncan, Jimmy Belkin, Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Terry McMillan, Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); The Memphis Horns (horns); David Briggs, Dennis Burnside, Earl Ball, Glen D. Hardin, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, John Hobbs, Larry Butler, Leon Russell, Shane Keister, Barry Beckett (piano); Benmont Tench, Butch Lee (Hammond b-3 organ); Mike Lawler, Robert Ogden, Steve Nathan, Bobby Emmons, Bobby Wood, Chalmers Davis (keyboards); Emory Gordy Jr., Henry Strzelecki, Jack Cooke, Jack Williams, Mike Chapman, Tommy Cogbill, Willie Weeks, Bob Wray, Dave Hungate, Glenn Wolf, Marshall Grant, Ralph Ezell (bass guitar); Harry Stinson, Kenny Aronoff, Lonnie Wilson, Eddie Bayers, John Ware, Kenny Malone, Paul Leim, Owen Hale, Jerry Carrigan, Jim Isbell, Karl Himmel, W. S. "Fluke" Holland (drums); Lynn Peterzell, Paulinho Da Costa, Ron "Snake" Reynolds, Mark Morris (percussion); Jonell Mosser, Lisa Silver, Arnold McCuller, Sir Harry Bowens, Sweet Pea Atkinson, The Jordanaires, The Nashville Edition, The Cherry Sisters, Karen Taylor, Millie Kirkham, Dennis Wilson , Diana Vanette, Sherri Huffman, Hershel Wiginton, Lea Jane Berinati (background vocals).

In 1977, the Possum, George Jones, one of the greatest pure country singers of all time, helped start a trend that continues to this day: The Duets Album. He got together with friends and fans, picked some songs-- new ones, standards--got a sharp backup band, and let it happen. Peers Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings are here, as are onetime wife Tammy Wynette, pop star Linda Rondstadt, and the then up and coming "new wave" angry young man Elvis Costello. The latter was actually very natural: Costello is a longtime Jones fan and brings to the session his original song, "Stranger In The House," a quintessential honky-tonk tune.

This set isn't the usually mournful, soulful fare that Jones does so well--it's a "party" album for the most part. Yet at this party everyone performs with earnestness, good humor and respect, to both their host and the songs sung. Highlights are "Stranger..." and the duet with Emmylou Harris, "Here We Are."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.126) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[T]he one constant is Jones' remarkable voice, shot through with the smoke and whiskey of 10,000 bars."