By Nick DeRiso
“Two Of Us,” the old Beatles album cut, is reborn — as is a long-ago relationship — in the hands of this pair of early 1970s-era country-rock stars.
Part of a new Disney children’s album “All Join In,” the tune is actually one of two by the Beatles (the other being a slightly touched-up “All Together Now”) included — along with a pair of Loggins originals (“Long Tailed Cat,” “Moose N’ Me”), Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (from the original “Toy Story”), the Del Vikings’ 1950s classic “Come Go With Me,” and others.
But it’s “Two Of Us,” featuring Kenny Loggins’ first recorded work with Jim Messina in decades, that charms the most. The remake, which begins with some children laughing, plays a bit faster than the original, but retains the pastoral, friendly camaraderie of Paul McCartney’s 1969 composition, which opened the Beatles’ finale, “Let It Be.”
It’s fun to hear Loggins weaving inside and then outside of the woody, warm vocals so long associated with Messina — who’d already produced and played with Buffalo Springfield before forming the partnership with Loggins, and was also with Poco.
As “Two of Us” nears its end, a joyful Messina adds: “Hey, Kenny, let’s take it home!,” to the sounds of a plucky banjo. A merry kazoo takes the place of John Lennon’s memorable whistle, and there is a fun, connective interplay that recalls their long-ago successes before Loggins left for a decidedly more pop-oriented solo career (“Whenever I Call You Friend,” “This is It,” soundtrack work on “Caddyshack,” “Top Gun” and “Footloose”).
More recently, Loggins has turned to kids’ music, and he’s made quite a late-career splash. His album “Return to Pooh Corner” is, in fact, the best-selling children’s album of the last 20 years.
With “Two Of Us,” however, he’s found an entry point for young and old alike — and a reason to rekindle his on-again, off-again relationship with Messina.
Since the release of “All Join In,” Loggins and Messina have begun a reunion tour (their first since 2005), with dates through the Deep South this week and continuing out west through November.
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Very nice! I don't always like cover versions of my all-time favorite band's songs but Jimmy and Kenny really pulled this one off well.
One is wise to proceed with caution with these types of albums but it seems as if the musicians captured the music of the Beetles well. It does deserve a listen.
In a just world this song would have been a top ten hit. I only found it by chance on YouTube. Record companies and radio stations have lost their way when great songs like this get lost.