Have Harmony, Will Travel

Overview

Carla Olson desire to cut a duet record has been in development for several decades. In an interview with journalist Mike Ragogna she stated:

Several years ago, I was in between production projects, which is what I mainly do. I haven't done a studio album in a long time, mainly because I've been working at producing. One day I just thought, "Well, I'm in between projects. Maybe I should try to start something." I approached a couple of people about doing a duet album, one of them being Peter Case, who I’ve known since the '70s, and he said, "Yeah, I’d love to."

Olson then rounded up a host of her friends and bandmates as well as some of her favorite singers. Among these were Juice Newton, who duets with Olson in "You Can Come Cryin' to Me", the album's opening track, and "Stringin' Me On". Olson and Peter Case team on the Del Shannon tune "Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)" and on Moby Grape's "8:05". Initially, Olson was to have performed "8:05" with her recording partner, Gene Clark, but he died before the recording was made. "She Don't Care About Time", a song written by Clark, was performed with Richie Furay.

In his review of the album music critic Thom Jurek stated:

Though there isn't a weak cut in bunch, there are some soaring highlights It ends the set by seamlessly melding folk, rock, and country. Have Harmony, Will Travel is a welcome return for Olson, but that's not all. With its direct, kinetic production, compelling song choices, and inspired performances, it is a blueprint for future duet recordings.