Written in Chalk

Considering how prolific they are, it's a surprise that this vital album is only Buddy and Julie Miller's second duet project and their first since 2001. The long-married couple with 11 solo albums between them divides duties pretty clearly here: He produces, sings and plays guitar; she sings and writes. Buddy recently toured with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to support "Raising Sand," and Plant joins Buddy on the comical, bluesy "What You Gonna Do, Leroy," an old Mel Tillis tune. No less delightfully obscure is the revival of "One Part, Two Part," which should've been a hit for some '60s soul duo. Julie's songs are delicate, and a little sad. "June" was written and recorded as a tribute the day June Carter Cash died, and either "Don't Say Goodbye" (featuring Patty Griffin) or "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is one sad song too many. "Smooth," about a lunatic hitch-hiker, is much livelier, and they rock the house on "Gasoline and Matches." Buddy delivers Julie's "Ellis County" in his best, robust Levon Helm voice, though this gorgeous song about nostalgia for simpler times makes you wonder how many farmers would really rather revert to mules instead of tractors. —Wayne Robins