Being diplomatic by nature, I intentionally used the all-purpose word "noteworthy" to describe these pairings involving classic rock artists in recordings and performances during 2005.
Some were actually quite good. Some left us wondering whose idea the pairings were, and at which McDonald's they are now employed. Some, stated simply, sucked out loud.
But all are "noteworthy" in one way or another, and in case you missed any of them, please do read on ...
1. Les Paul & Friends - "American Made World Played"
As Keith Richards put it so delicately, “[W]ithout Les Paul, generations of flash little punks like us would be in jail or cleaning toilets. This man, by his genius, made the road that we still travel today.” Besides Richards, fellow travelers on this CD include Eric Clapton, Steve Miller, Edgar Winter, Jeff Beck and Rick Derringer. This is, hands down, the year's best classic rock collaboration.2. B. B. King and Friends - "80"
Like Les Paul, B.B. King was a huge influence on a generation of classic rockers, many of whom helped the blues legend celebrate his 80th birthday with their collaborations on this CD. Van Morrison, Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler, Glenn Frey, Roger Daltrey, and Eric Clapton are among those who pay their respects, with memorable results.
3. Carly Simon - Live Performances With Ben Taylor and Sally Taylor
In music, there's nothing quite like the sound of family harmony, especially when the gene pool consists of James Taylor and Carly Simon. Perhaps to help her with her admitted case of the yips when performing live, Simon has lately enlisted her two talented children by Taylor, Ben and Sally, to join her on stage. These kids -- seperately, together, and with their mother -- are more than worthy keepers of the flame, and well worth the price of a ticket if they're performing anywhere near you.4. Carole King - "Living Room Tour"
Once again we hear how sweet family harmony can sound. During her Living Room tour, Carole King's daughters (by first husband and songwriting partner Gerry Goffin) Louise and Sherry provided backup vocals, some of which made it on the CD that was recorded during that tour. While not as striking as Carly Simon and the Taylor kids, this collaboration gets a solid B+ simply because it is so comfortable and natural.5. Santana - "All That I Am"
Hey, if it worked once, why not go back to the same well again? Carlos Santana's comeback album in 1999 featured collaborations with some the best young pop acts of the day. Santana tends to bring out the best in whoever he's performing with, but personal chemistry plays a big role in successful collaborations, and it was clearly missing in some cases -- notably American Idol loser Bo Bice, Joss Stone and Sean Paul -- on this CD.6. Paul McCartney and U2 - "Live 8"
Speaking of personal chemistry, there was absolutely none between Paul McCartney and U2 during their Live 8 concert performance of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. While McCartney strains to hit the high notes, Bono stands, politely but stiffly, hands clasped in front of him, as if he was in a receiving line at a funeral. Both the pairing and its featured position on the Live 8 DVD are subject to some serious questions of judgement. ("You want fries with that??")7. David Bowie and The Arcade Fire
I'm not sure exactly what it is about The Arcade Fire that David Bowie is so enamored of, but he insisted that he would only perform at New York's Fashion Rocks concert if the Canadian indy rock band performed there, too. He also made a surprise appearance at the group's concert in Central Park during Fashion Week. Aside from the fact that Bowie is famous for adapting himself to changing musical styles and tastes, this collaboration seems, at best, a bit strange.8. Stevie Wonder with Prince, Paul McCartney and Bonnie Raitt - "A Time To Love"
You would scarcely know that Prince, McCartney and Raitt are performing on Stevie Wonder's first studio album in more than ten years. All provide backup guitar at various points, and while all are masters of the instrument, one wonders why they are relegated to low profile roles that any competent guitarist could have filled. It isn't that Wonder needs much marquee power beyond his own, and the use of these collaborators is so subtle, one wonders what was the point?9. Elton John and Dolly Parton on the Country Music Association Awards Show
Elton and Dolly. What a pair. Aside from the fact that both have made successful careers out of being free-spirited, over-the-top performers, what could possibly bring them together onstage? In this case, it seemed to be for no other reason than to allow Sir Elton to promote his slightly country-ish Peachtree Road album, and for Dolly to promote her homage to Elton's late pal, John Lennon, her cover of Imagine on her latest album. Can you say, "Odd couple?"10. Paul Simon and Willie Nelson on the Country Music Association Awards Show
Apparently Paul Simon was one of the few living humans left who had not performed a duet with the venerable Willie Nelson. The clever joining of Nelson's "Crazy" and Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" was actually somewhat engaging, especially with Simon's virtuoso guitar work, and keyboard accompaniment by Norah Jones. This will go down as one of the most entertaining mismatched collaborations of the year.