George Jones & Tammy Wynette - One (1995)

In Nashville, where tempestuous marriages make enduring legends, George Jones and Tammy Wynette's still rates as one of the stormiest. "For years after the divorce," says a mutual friend, "when you would say her name, he would spit. And when you'd say his name, she'd shake." Still, in 1995, with Jones allegedly sober, and Tammy's health failing fast, they gave it one more try, on record anyway, for a much ballyhooed reunion, 15 years after their last duets, and 20 years after trading in their own golden rings. The material, mostly love songs designed to titillate the old fans, could have been stronger, the backing less formulaic, and Wynette's voice needed a boost in the mix now and then. But it had heart, and plenty of hillbilly soul. And when they put their voices together on "Just Look What We've Started Again," nearly everyone hoped it was true. --Alanna Nash