J. Dan Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Just Brainstorming. I'm considering starting up something to fill in some of my open nights to fill out my schedule. Bands are tough for side projects because of all of the conflicting schedules, so I thought about a duo. I spent the entire decade of the 90s playing in a duo and it was great because you only have 1 band member to argue with, and you only have to split the money 2 ways. IF (and that's a big if) I could find a female vocalist who plays guitar sufficiently, I had the idea of a THEME duo (that doubles the money)â¦â¦.Every Single Song is a Male/Female duet. Good thing about themes like that is that you can get away with multiple genres and times.....spanning 60s to present, though, I only (off the top of my head) came up with 30 songs. That ranges from Johnny Cash and June Carter to Jay Z and Alicia Keys. Many of the songs were slow ballads from the 80s....Almost Paradise, Up Where We Belong, Almost Paradise. Stuff that wouldn't go over in the bar gigs I typically play, but MAY go over at restaurant bars, wineries, etc....exactly the kind of people who hire Duos. Just a thought. SO! Name the BEST male/female duets (no other restrictions of time or genre) that most people would know and enjoy hearing. NOTE: considering that I didn't come up with enough songs, if I opened it up to ANY duet (including 2 dudes) that would instantly and easily double that list. You have stuff like Under Pressure, Easy Lover, Ebony and Ivory, Say Say Say, the list goes on. So maybe go ahead and include those separately. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Top of my list is Marvin Gaye and Tammy Tyrell. [video:youtube] [video:youtube] 2 1 Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Sonny and Cher [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QHRTQ3Kmw [video:youtube] Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountFosco Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 How about some Simon and Garfunkel? Songs like Sounds of Silence, Troubled Water, Scarborough Fair could work as M/F duets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o0Ampy0o Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVyeNZCENZA [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube] The Dudes [video:youtube] The Dude http://www.canootervalve.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/The-Dude.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (the first thing that comes to mind because it's been so popular over the last few years. But you probably already have it on your list.) Pitbull and Kesha - Timber (Don't laugh. I heard a band pull this one off to huge response) Rihanna and Mikky Ekko - Stay Chainsmokers and Halsey - Closer Just throwing some newer stuff at you if you're interested. If you want to get really current, Senorita (Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello) is huge right now. I'm sure you have the 80s stuff down already... Love Shack, Don't You Want Me, Endless Love...classics all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motomike1961 Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Can't We Try by Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard. An amazingly beautiful love song which my band has played at many weddings. Quote My Rig: Stage Piano: Korg Grandstage 73 - Organ: Hammond SKx - Amps: Motion Sound KP-500s - Mixer: Yamaha MGU10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Top of my list is Marvin Gaye and Tammy Tyrell. Ain't No Mountain High Enough... How about some Simon and Garfunkel? Sure, and you could look at the hits by Everly Brothers (Bye Bye Love, All I Have to do is Dream), Righteous Brothers (You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Soul and Inspiration), Beatles (Love Me Do, Two of Us) You're The One That I Want from Grease and Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing come to mind... which makes me think that looking at any of the "rock musicals" would probably find you something. Then there was that period when people was coming out with "Duets" albums (Tony Bennett, Elton John, etc.), you could pick up some stuff from those. You could also turn solo singer songs into duets. One of my bands did a nice male/female duet of Let's Stay Together. For something more adventurous... Paradise by the Dashboard LIghts and of course, who could forget Unforgettable? Quote Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old No7 Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Gee... No votes for "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper? Today's audiences will expect (i.e. "demand") that one from any duet. There's an 80's rock duet with Ozzy and Lita Ford ("Close My Eyes Forever"), plus "Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley; and she also did "Stop Draggin My Heart Around" with Tom Petty. Do this: Click on "[artist's name] duets" on Google -- and voila! Old No7 Quote Yamaha MODX6 * Hammond SK Pro 73 * Roland Fantom-08 * Crumar Mojo Pedals * Mackie Thump 12As * Tascam DP-24SD * JBL 305 MkIIs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountFosco Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Say Something by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera has a chorus which will get their lighters out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboKeys Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 A couple of female vocal songs that have prominent male vocal parts: Cyndi Lauper - Time after Time (vocal by her keyboard player) Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart - Jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountFosco Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Cyndi Lauper - Time after Time (vocal by her keyboard player) and writer of the song, Rob Hyman. I always thought you could tell he wrote the song just by the way he owned those backing vocals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 You'll probably get requests for "Picture" , Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock. It's a sappy tune, but for some reason its popular. Quote Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyS Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Steve and Eydie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Gee... No votes for "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper? Today's audiences will expect (i.e. "demand") that one from any duet. Absolutely! I posted after midnight and was half asleep (my excuse) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedar Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Since you said no restriction on genre.. Ray Charles/Bette Carter Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwin Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 I have been playing some duo gigs the past few years to fill in gaps in my calendar and to be able to use my many tracks I've created over the years. I prefer to work with another musician/singer to help add to the music but have been working quite a bit with a female singer who doesn't play an instrument. We seem to go over well with a variety of genres from country to light pop stuff. We do everything from Reba to The Carpenters. The money is just as good or better with the duo and no matter who I work with the stress level is low and we always have a good time. The hours for the duo are usually earlier than band gigs so not many late nights which is a plus for me too. I love to play with a 5 or 6 piece band but this has been just as enjoyable. I could probably work the duo full time if I wished. We are fortunate to have many venues that support solo and duo acts. We have many acoustic guitar/singer acts in our area but only a couple using keys. I worked a duo some in the 80's but with the technology we have now we can do so much more plus it seems more venues are looking for this type of act. I am in Missouri and we seem to be getting more and more winery type venues to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 [video:youtube] [video:youtube] Quote ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieGuy Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 There are good live versions of Clapton and Tracy Chapman doing "Give Me One Reason" and Tina Turner and Bryan Adams doing "It's Only Love". But, it doesn't have to be a known duet. Make your own duets by alternating singing verses or verse/chorus, or pick a song with strong background vocals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Otis and Carla - Tell it Like it Is, Tramp Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyNQ Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Hi Dan, 'Because the Night' 'Don"t Go Breaking My Heart' Agree with 'Shallow' x 1000 A tip - my party band has a male and female vocalist. We often re-arrange songs as a 'duet' that weren"t originally recorded this way. An easy example would be 'The Weight'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moj Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Kenny Rankin & Laura Nyro - Rare duet recording [video:youtube] A few RnB & Pop duets: Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love (I've to play this too many times at weddings!) Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack - Tonight I Celebrate My Love Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald - On My Own Boy Meets Girl - Waiting for a Star to Fall Peter Cetera & Amy Grant - The Next Time I Fall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted September 11, 2019 Author Share Posted September 11, 2019 Keep them coming - good stuff! Many were on the list of 30 I came up with, which confirms they were good picks, but I got a lot of other good ideas I hadn"t thought of. Quote Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyS Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 I worked with a husband and wife who just killed on this song. [video:youtube] Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 [video:youtube]https://youtu.be/-B7jWOyzUiY Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elif Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 No love for George Jones and Tammy Wynette singing "Golden ring"? Maybe Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks - "Buckingham Nicks", recorded with the A-team: Jim Keltner, Waddy Wachtel, Dick Hallagan, etc. [video:youtube] 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Easy on the voice! [video:youtube] Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kawai James Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack - two of the smoothest, most soulful voices ever to grace my ears. Every track on their 1972 album is gold, but here are a couple of standouts: [video:youtube] [video:youtube] [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr6xp4U9x9w Finally, a very rare clip of the two performing together - terrible audio/video quality, but lovely to see them enjoying each other's music. [video:youtube] RIP Donny. Cheers, James x 1 Quote Employed by Kawai Japan, however the opinions I express are my own. Nord Electro 3 & occasional rare groove player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongna Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Who Says You Can't Go Home - Bon Jovi, Jennifer Nettles Rock Steady - Bonnie Raitt, Bryan Adams Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss When You're Gone - Bryan Adams, Pamela Anderson It's Only Love - Bryan Adams, Tina Turner This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris, Rihanna I Will Love You Still - Darius Rucker, Mallary Hope Love Without You - Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow Tonight - David Bowie, Tina Turner When You Gonna Come Around - Dierks Bentley, Karen Fairchild That Old Flame - Don Henley, Martina McBride Bring it on Home to Me - Gavin DeGraw, Martina McBride Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson Lucky - Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat Happy Ending - Joe Jackson, Elaine Caswell Another Try - Josh Turner, Trisha Yearwood The Fighter - Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville Dress of Laces - Lyle Lovett, Jewel My Heart Is Open - Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani Diamond - Martina McBride, Keith Urban Run - Matt Nathanson, Jennifer Nettles Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor, John Legend On My Own - Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) - Peter Gabriel, Laurie Anderson Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush Photographs - Rihanna, will.i.am Please Read the Letter - Robert Plant, Alison Krauss Leather and Lace - Stevie Nicks, Don Henley Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran Trying to Drive - Zac Brown, Aslyn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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