Dolly Parton | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Its difficult to find a country performer who has moved from her country roots to international fame more successfully than Dolly Parton. Her autobiographical single "Coat of Many Colors" shows the poverty of growing up one of 12 children on a rundown farm in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. At 12 years old, she was appearing on Knoxville television; at 13 she was recording on a small label and appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. Her 1967 hit "Dumb Blonde" (which shes not) caught Porter Wagoners ear, and he hired Parton to appear on his television show, where their duet numbers became famous. By the time her "Joshua" reached number one in 1970, Partons fame had overshadowed her boss and she struck out on her own, though she still recorded duets with him. During the mid-70s, she established herself as a country superstar, and crossed over into the pop mainstream in the early 80s when she smoothed out the rough edges in her music and began singing pop as well as country. At the same time, she also began appearing in movies, most notably the hit 9 to 5. Though her savvy marketing, image manipulation (her big dumb blond stage persona is an act), extracurricular forays into film, and flirtations with country-pop have occasionally overshadowed her music, at her core Parton is a country gal and a tremendously gifted singer/songwriter. Among her classics are "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene," "Kentucky Gambler," "I Will Always Love You," "But You Know I Love You," and "Tennessee Homesick Blues," and they give a hint as to why her contribution to bringing country music to a wide audience, not only in America but throughout the world, cannot be overestimated. The fourth of 12 children, Parton was born and raised in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, just next to the Smoky Mountains National Forest. Partons family struggled to survive throughout her childhood, and she was often ridiculed for her poverty, yet music soothed their worries. Though her farming father did not play, her half-Cherokee mother played guitar and her grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens, was a fiddler and songwriter (his "Singing His Praise" was recorded by Kitty Wells). When she was seven, her uncle Bill Owens gave her a guitar, and within three years, she became a regular on WIVK Knoxvilles The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour. Over the next two years, her career steadily increased, and in 1959 she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry; the following year, she recorded her first single, "Puppy Love," for Goldband. When she was 14 years old, Parton signed to Mercury Records, but her 1962 debut for the label, "Its Sure Gonna Hurt," was a bomb, and the label immediately dropped her. Over the next five years, she shopped for a new contract and did indeed record a number of songs, which were later reissued through budget-line records. She continued to attend high school, playing snare drum in the marching band. After she graduated, she moved to Nashville, where she stayed with Bill Owens. Both songwriters pitched songs across Nashville with no success, and Parton began singing on demos. Early in 1965, both Parton and Owens finally found work when Fred Foster signed them to his publishing house, Combine Music; Foster subsequently signed her to Monument Records. Partons first records for Monument were marketed to pop audiences, and her second record, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," nearly made the charts. In 1966, Bill Phillips took two of Partons and Owens songs -- "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" and "The Company You Keep" -- to the Top Ten, setting the stage for Partons breakthrough single "Dumb Blonde." Released early in 1967, the record climbed to number 24, followed shortly afterward by the number 17 "Something Fishy." The two hit Monument singles attracted the attention of country star Porter Wagoner, who was looking to hire a new female singer for his syndicated television show. Parton accepted the offer and began appearing on the show on September 5, 1967. Initially, Wagoners audience was reluctant to warm to Parton and chanted for Norma Jean, the singer she replaced, but with Wagoners assistance, she was accepted. Wagoner also convinced his label, RCA, to sign Parton. Since female performers were not particularly popular in the late 60s, the label decided to protect their investment by releasing her first single as a duet with Wagoner. Their first single, "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the country Top Ten early in 1968, launching a six-year streak of virtually uninterrupted Top Ten singles. Partons first solo single, "Just Because Im a Woman," was released in the summer of 1968 and was a moderate hit, reaching number 17. For the remainder of the decade, none of her solo efforts -- even "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)," which would later become a standard -- were as successful as her duets. The duo was named Vocal Group of the Year in 1968 by the Country Music Association, but Partons solo records were continually ignored. Wagoner and Parton were both frustrated by her lack of solo success, Porter because he had a significant financial stake in her future; as of 1969, he was her co-producer and owned nearly half of the publishing company Owepar. In 1970, Porter had her sing Jimmie Rodgers "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)," a gimmick that worked. The record shot to number three on the charts, followed closely by her first number one single, "Joshua." For the next two years, she had a number of solo hits -- including her signature song "Coat of Many Colors" (number four, 1971) -- in addition to her duets. Though she had successful singles, none of them were blockbusters until "Jolene" reached number one in early 1974. Parton stopped traveling with Wagoner after its release, yet she continued to appear on television and sing duets with him until 1976. Once she left Wagoner, Partons records became more eclectic and diverse, ranging from the ballad "I Will Always Love You" (number one, 1974) and the racy "The Bargain Store" (number one, 1975) to the crossover pop of "Here You Come Again" (number one, 1977) and the disco experiments of "Baby Im Burning" (number 25 pop, 1978). From 1974 to 1980, she consistently charted in the country Top Ten, with no less than eight singles reaching number one. Parton had her own syndicated television show, Dolly, in 1976, and by the next year had gained the right to produce her own albums, which immediately resulted in diverse efforts like 1977s New Harvest...First Gathering. In addition to her own hits during the late 70s, many artists, from Rose Maddox and Kitty Wells to Olivia Newton-John, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt, covered her songs, and her siblings Randy and Stella received recording contracts of their own. Though she was quite popular, Parton became a genuine superstar in 1977, when the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil song "Here You Come Again" became a huge crossover hit, reaching number three on the pop charts, spending five weeks at the top of the country charts, and going gold. Its accompanying album went platinum and the follow-up, Heartbreaker, went gold. Soon, she was on the cover of country and mainstream publications alike. With the new financial windfall, a lawsuit against Wagoner -- he had received a significant portion of her royalties -- ensued. By the time it was settled, she regained her copyrights while Wagoner was given a nominal fee and the studio the duo shared. In the wake of the lawsuit, a delayed duet album, Making Plans, appeared in 1980; its title track hit number two on the country charts. Partons commercial success continued to grow during 1980, as she had three number one hits in a row: the Donna Summer-written "Starting Over Again," "Old Flames (Cant Hold a Candle to You)," and "9 to 5." The latter was the theme song to Partons acting debut, 9 to 5. Also starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, the movie became a huge success, establishing Parton as a movie star. The song became her first number one pop single as well. 9 to 5 gave Partons career momentum that lasted throughout the early 80s. She began appearing in more films, including the Burt Reynolds musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and the Sylvester Stallone comedy Rhinestone (1984). Partons singles continued to appear consistently in the country Top Ten: between 1981 and 1985, she had 12 Top Ten hits and half of those were number one singles. Parton continued to make inroads on the pop charts as well with a re-recorded version of "I Will Always Love You" from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas scraping the Top 50 and her Kenny Rogers duet "Islands in the Stream" (which was written by the Bee Gees and produced by Barry Gibb) spending two weeks at number one. However, by 1985 many old-time fans had felt that Parton was spending too much time courting the mainstream. Most of her albums were dominated by the adult contemporary pop of songs like "Islands in the Stream," and it had been years since she had sung straightforward country. She also continued to explore new business and entertainment ventures such as her Dollywood theme park, which opened in 1985. Despite these misgivings, she had continued to chart well until 1986, when none of her singles reached the Top Ten. RCA Records didnt renew her contract after it expired that year, and she signed with Columbia in 1987. Before she released her Columbia debut, Parton joined forces with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris to record the rootsy Trio album. Trio became a huge hit, earning both critical and popular acclaim, selling over a million copies, and peaking at number six on the pop charts; it also spawned three Top Ten country singles: "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Telling Me Lies," and "Those Memories of You." Following the success of the album, she had a weekly variety television show, Dolly, on ABC that lasted only one season. Trio also provided a perfect launching pad for her first Columbia album, 1989s White Limozeen, which produced two number one hits in "Whyd You Come in Here Lookin Like That" and "Yellow Roses." Though it looked like Partons career had been revived, it was actually just a brief revival before contemporary country came along in the early 90s and pushed all veteran artists out of the charts. Parton had a number one duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin Years," in 1991, but after that single, she slowly crept out of the Top Ten and later the Top 40. Parton was one of the most outspoken critics of radios treatment of older stars. While her sales had declined, she didnt disappear. Despite her lack of sales, Parton remained an iconic figure in country music, appearing in films (the 1991 TV movie Wild Texas Wind, 1992s Straight Talk), selling out concerts, and releasing a series of acclaimed albums -- including 1993s Honky Tonk Angels, a collaboration with Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn -- that all sold respectably. Furthermore, "I Will Always Love You" was covered in 1992 by Whitney Houston, who took it to number one on the pop charts; the single spent 14 weeks at number one, becoming the biggest pop hit of the rock & roll era (it was unseated four years later by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Mens "One Sweet Day"). In 1994, Parton published her autobiography, My Life and Other Unfinished Business. Treasures, her 1996 album, was a highly praised collection of unusual covers, ranging from Merle Haggard to Neil Young. Hungry Again followed in 1998, and early the following year she reunited with Ronstadt and Harris for a second Trio collection in addition to releasing the solo The Grass Is Blue. A rootsy effort, it was well received and prompted the release of more recordings like it on Little Sparrow in 2001 and Halos & Horns in 2002. The patriotic For God and Country appeared in 2003 and was followed by the CD and DVD Live and Well a year later. Those Were the Days from 2005 found Parton covering her favorite pop songs from the 60s and 70s. Backwoods Barbie, Partons first mainstream country album in nearly 20 years, arrived on her own Dolly Records imprint in 2008. Live from London followed in 2009. An album of all Parton-written material, Better Day, appeared from Dolly Records in 2011, the 41st studio release of her long career. Three years later, Blue Smoke was released, appearing first in Australia and New Zealand in January, then in other territories, including America, in May. In 2015, Partons classic song "Coat of Many Colors" was adapted into a made-for-TV movie, which featured Alyvia Alyn Lind as the young Dolly Parton and Jennifer Nettles (from the group Sugarland) as her mother. Parton was a producer on the film, which became a major success in the ratings, and a Christmas-themed sequel was put into production for the 2016 holiday season. In the summer of 2016, Parton announced that she was headlining a 60-date North American concert tour, her most extensive run of shows in 25 years. The jaunt was being billed as the Pure & Simple Tour, and not coincidentally, Parton also revealed she was releasing a new album in August 2016, a set of ten original love songs also called Pure & Simple. In October 2017, Parton released her first childrens album, I Believe in You; the album debuted at 20 on Billboards Country charts. A year later, Parton returned with the soundtrack to Dumplin, a comedy where Partons music plays a pivotal role. On the soundtrack, Parton collaborated with Linda Perry on three songs, while duetting with Sia, Elle King, Mavis Staples, and Miranda Lambert on new tunes and a handful of her classics. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 48 Title: Hello, I’m Dolly Released: 1967-02-13 Tracks: 12 Duration: 28:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dumb Blonde (02:29) 2 Your Ole Handy Man (02:11) 3 I Don’t Want to Throw Rice (02:22) 4 Put It Off Until Tomorrow (02:18) 5 I Wasted My Tears (02:18) 6 Something Fishy (02:08) 7 Fuel to the Flame (02:41) 8 The Giving and the Taking (02:26) 9 I’m in No Condition (02:11) 10 The Company You Keep (02:34) 11 I’ve Lived My Life (02:37) 12 The Little Things (02:25) |
| Hello, I’m Dolly : Allmusic album Review : The charismatic Dolly Parton came on strong with these early session for Monument. At least half the songs are among her classics, while the rest of the material is hardly weak. The pedal steel playing is fantastic, and it would be worth the research to find out who the session men were, as they have gone uncredited on the original release, as well as subsequent repackagings. (In one two-fer release combining this album with As Long as I Love, the label squandered the inner gatefold on self-advertising rather than provide any information about these wonderful sessions.) The personality that Parton brought to her material is here in full force. "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy" are the wisecracking, smart-cookie side of Parton, while "The Company You Keep"and "Ive Lived My Life" show how adept she is at cramming country songs full of moralizing while providing the listener with plenty of enjoyment. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 48 Title: Just Between You and Me Released: 1968-01 Tracks: 12 Duration: 29:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Because One of Us Was Wrong (02:05) 2 The Last Thing on My Mind (02:36) 3 Love Is Worth Living (02:32) 4 Just Between You and Me (02:20) 5 Mommie, Ain’t That Daddy (03:13) 6 Four-O-Thirty Three (02:46) 7 Sorrow’s Tearing Down the House (That Happiness Once Built) (02:24) 8 This Time Has Gotta Be Our Last Time (02:28) 9 Before I Met You (01:53) 10 Home Is Where the Hurt Is (02:13) 11 Two Sides to Every Story (02:19) 12 Put It Off Until Tomorrow (02:19) |
 | Album: 3 of 48 Title: Just Because I’m a Woman Released: 1968-05-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 30:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 You’re Gonna Be Sorry (02:16) 2 I Wish I Felt This Way at Home (02:29) 3 False Eyelashes (02:30) 4 I’ll Oilwells Love You (02:16) 5 The Only Way Out (Is to Walk Over Me) (02:55) 6 Little Bit Slow to Catch On (02:19) 7 The Bridge (02:34) 8 Love and Learn (02:33) 9 I’m Running Out of Love (02:06) 10 Just Because I’m a Woman (03:04) 11 Baby Sister (02:39) 12 Try Being Lonely (02:42) |
| Just Because I’m a Woman : Allmusic album Review : Just Because Im a Woman was Dolly Partons first album for RCA Victor after a few modest hits for Monument and (more importantly) becoming a regular on Porter Wagoners television show and his frequent duet partner both on-stage and in the studio. One might have figured that, between Chet Atkins trademark "countrypolitan" production style and Wagoners influence, Partons musical personality would be lost in the shuffle, but thankfully quite the opposite was true -- Just Because Im a Woman turned out to be one of Partons best early albums, and a superb showcase for her gifts as both a singer and songwriter. Bob Ferguson, Atkins second-in-command at RCA, took a subdued and natural approach to the production, with a refined but organic honky tonk sound dominating many of the arrangements, though he knew when to take a more ambitious approach on the dark tale of adultery and abandonment "The Bridge." And while Dolly only gets songwriting credit on four of the albums 12 songs, theyre four of the real standouts, including "Youre Gonna Be Sorry," "The Bridge," and the title tune, with the rest of the selections fitting Partons trademark blend of fragility and strength just right, and her versatile soprano voice displaying the confidence, power, and emotional range that would make her a country superstar within a few years. While Parton was not always well-served by the Nashville music factories (ironically enough, this became an even bigger problem for her after she crossed over to mainstream stardom), Just Because Im a Woman was one of those rare examples of the bigwigs getting it right the first time out, and the album still sounds like a winner decades after its initial release. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 48 Title: Just the Two of Us Released: 1968-09 Tracks: 12 Duration: 29:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Closer by the Hour (02:18) 2 I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew (02:48) 3 Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark (02:47) 4 Holding On to Nothin’ (02:30) 5 Slip Away Today (02:40) 6 The Dark End of the Street (02:17) 7 Just the Two of Us (02:39) 8 Afraid to Love Again (01:56) 9 We’ll Get Ahead Someday (01:57) 10 Somewhere Between (02:15) 11 The Party (02:56) 12 I Can (02:05) |
 | Album: 5 of 48 Title: In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) Released: 1969-02-15 Tracks: 12 Duration: 29:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind (02:14) 2 He’s a Go Getter (02:05) 3 In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) (02:47) 4 It’s My Time (02:38) 5 Harper Valley PTA (03:14) 6 Little Bird (01:45) 7 Mine (02:05) 8 The Carroll County Accident (02:58) 9 Fresh Out of Forgiveness (02:03) 10 Mama Say a Prayer (02:47) 11 Always the First Time (02:03) 12 D.I.V.O.R.C.E. (02:45) |
 | Album: 6 of 48 Title: Always, Always Released: 1969-07 Tracks: 12 Duration: 28:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Milwaukee, Here I Come (02:15) 2 Yours Love (02:29) 3 I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby (02:12) 4 Malena (02:21) 5 The House Where Love Lives (02:00) 6 Why Don’t You Haul Off & Love Me (01:54) 7 Always, Always (02:39) 8 There Never Was a Time (02:29) 9 Good as Gold (02:26) 10 My Hands Are Tied (02:36) 11 No Reason to Hurry Home (02:24) 12 Anything’s Better Than Nothing (02:16) |
 | Album: 7 of 48 Title: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy Released: 1969-09 Tracks: 12 Duration: 31:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 In the Ghetto (02:46) 2 Games People Play (02:21) 3 ’til Death Do Us Part (03:03) 4 Big Wind (02:13) 5 Evening Shade (03:19) 6 I’m Fed Up With You (01:55) 7 My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (03:29) 8 Daddy (02:44) 9 We Had All the Good Things Going (02:40) 10 The Monkey’s Tale (01:45) 11 Gypsy, Joe and Me (03:10) 12 Home for Pete’s Sake (02:02) |
 | Album: 8 of 48 Title: Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca Released: 1970-03 Tracks: 11 Duration: 26:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Forty Miles From Poplar Bluff (02:50) 2 Tomorrow Is Forever (02:49) 3 Just Someone I Used to Know (02:24) 4 Each Season Changes You (02:29) 5 We Can’t Let This Happen to Us (02:02) 6 Mendy Never Sleeps (02:03) 7 Silver Sandals (02:39) 8 No Love Left (01:58) 9 It Might as Well Be Me (02:13) 10 Run That by Me One More Time (02:16) 11 I’m Wasting Your Time and You’re Wasting Mine (02:19) |
 | Album: 9 of 48 Title: As Long As I Love Released: 1970-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 30:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Why, Why, Why (02:21) 2 I Wound Ease (02:19) 3 I Don’t Want You Around Me Anymore (02:06) 4 Hillbilly Willy (01:56) 5 This Boy Has Been Hurt (02:18) 6 Daddy Won’t Be Home Anymore (02:54) 7 As Long As I Love (02:43) 8 A Habit I Can’t Break (03:17) 9 I’m Not Worth the Tears (02:34) 10 I Don’t Trust Me Around You (02:56) 11 I Couldn’t Wait Forever (02:25) 12 Too Lonely Too Long (02:21) |
| As Long As I Love : Allmusic album Review : Dolly Partons years for the Monument label were good ones, resulting in terrific straightforward country numbers, many of them written by her. The uncredited pickers, in particular the pedal steel, keep things really cooking. The arrangement on the opening number, "Why, Why, Why," makes the listeners head spin with both the precision of the pedal steel riffs and the clever shuffling of chords from the standard 1-4-5 progression. Even a skeptic will be able to follow Parton into her private realm of despair, always delivered in a beautiful voice promising hope. This might be one of the most enduring country artists and superstars early in her career, but she already has it all together. It is superb country and western, which, combined with the highly praised old-time traditions she would return to later in her career, establishes Parton as a visionary artist in traditional American music. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 48 Title: Once More Released: 1970-08 Tracks: 10 Duration: 24:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (03:02) 2 I Know You’re Married but I Love You Still (02:21) 3 Thoughtfulness (02:24) 4 Fight & Scratch (02:31) 5 Before Our Weakness Gets to Strong (02:37) 6 Once More (02:29) 7 One Day at a Time (02:29) 8 Ragged Angel (02:05) 9 A Good Understanding (02:41) 10 Let’s Live for Tonight (02:07) |
 | Album: 11 of 48 Title: Two of a Kind Released: 1971-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 26:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Pain of Loving You (02:05) 2 Possum Holler (02:17) 3 Is It Real (02:56) 4 The Flame (02:58) 5 The Fighting Kind (02:32) 6 Two of a Kind (02:35) 7 All I Need Is You (03:09) 8 Curse of the Wild Weed Flower (02:18) 9 Today, Tomorrow and Forever (02:44) 10 There’ll Be Love (02:37) |
| Two of a Kind : Allmusic album Review : Two of a Kind includes only nine of the Wagoner and Partons Top 40 C&W hits, but as an anthology for the curious, Two of a Kind is too idiosyncratic to be definitive. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 48 Title: The Golden Streets of Glory Released: 1971-02-25 Tracks: 10 Duration: 25:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Believe (02:17) 2 Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away (02:45) 3 Golden Streets of Glory (02:54) 4 Wings of a Dove (02:35) 5 How Great Thou Art (03:34) 6 Yes I See God (02:16) 7 The Master’s Hand (02:40) 8 Lord Hold My Hand (02:03) 9 I’ll Keep Climbing (02:41) 10 Book of Life (01:43) |
 | Album: 13 of 48 Title: Joshua Released: 1971-05-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Joshua (03:03) 2 The Last One to Touch Me (03:03) 3 Walls of the Mind (02:32) 4 It Ain’t Fair That It Ain’t Right (02:17) 5 J.J. Sneed (02:52) 6 You Can’t Reach Me Anymore (02:38) 7 Daddy’s Moonshine Still (03:31) 8 Chicken Every Sunday (02:35) 9 The Fire’s Still Burning (02:49) 10 Letter to Heaven (02:25) |
 | Album: 14 of 48 Title: Coat of Many Colors Released: 1971-10 Tracks: 14 Duration: 37:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Coat of Many Colors (03:05) 2 Travelling Man (02:41) 3 My Blue Tears (02:17) 4 If I Lose My Mind (02:30) 5 The Mystery of the Mystery (02:28) 6 She Never Met a Man (She Didn’t Like) (02:43) 7 Early Morning Breeze (02:56) 8 The Way I See You (02:48) 9 Here I Am (03:19) 10 A Better Place to Live (02:41) 11 My Heart Started Breaking (03:04) 12 Just as Good as Gone (02:30) 13 The Tender Touch of Love (02:28) 14 My Blue Tears (acoustic demo) (02:24) |
| Coat of Many Colors : Allmusic album Review : Dolly Parton had a number of hits in the late 60s as Porter Wagoners duet partner, yet solo success eluded her until her 1971 album Coat of Many Colors. The title track was a Top Ten single, and it effectively became her signature song, largely because it was a sweetly autobiographical tune about her childhood. That song, along with its two hit predecessors, "Traveling Man" and "My Blue Tears," were evidence that Parton was a strong songwriter, but the full album reveals the true depth of her talents. She wrote seven of the ten songs (Wagoner wrote the other three), none of which is filler. There isnt really a theme behind Coat of Many Colors, even if its title track suggests otherwise. Instead, its a remarkably consistent album, in terms of songwriting and performances, but also remarkably diverse, revealing that Dolly can handle ballads, country-rockers, tearjerkers, and country-pop with equal aplomb. And while it is very short, clocking in at under a half-hour, there isnt a wasted moment on the album. Its a lean, trim album that impresses because of succinctness -- with its ten songs, it announced Parton as a major talent in her own right, not merely a duet partner. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 48 Title: The Right Combination: Burning the Midnight Oil Released: 1972-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 24:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 More Than Words Can Tell (02:44) 2 The Right Combination (02:53) 3 I’ve Been This Way Too Long (02:38) 4 In Each Love Some Rain Must Fall (02:02) 5 Her and the Car and the Mobile Home (02:33) 6 Burning the Midnight Oil (01:49) 7 Somewhere Along the Way (03:06) 8 On and On (02:02) 9 Through Thick and Thin (02:01) 10 The Fog Has Lifted (02:17) |
 | Album: 16 of 48 Title: Touch Your Woman Released: 1972-03-10 Tracks: 10 Duration: 25:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Will He Be Waiting (02:31) 2 The Greatest Days of All (02:39) 3 Touch Your Woman (02:41) 4 A Lot of You Left in Me (02:28) 5 Second Best (02:55) 6 A Little at a Time (02:12) 7 Love Is Only as Strong (As Your Weakest Moment) (02:03) 8 Love Isn’t Free (02:31) 9 Mission Chapel Memories (03:08) 10 Loneliness Found Me (01:57) |
 | Album: 17 of 48 Title: Together Always Released: 1972-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Together Always (02:16) 2 Love’s All Over (03:06) 3 Christina (02:59) 4 Poor Folks Town (02:39) 5 Take Away (02:23) 6 Ten-Four Over and Out (03:28) 7 Lost Forever in Your Kiss (03:23) 8 Anyplace You Want to Go (02:15) 9 Looking Down (02:32) 10 You and Me - Her and Him (02:20) |
 | Album: 18 of 48 Title: My Favorite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner Released: 1972-10-29 Tracks: 10 Duration: 28:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lonely Comin’ Down (03:12) 2 Do You Hear the Robins Sing (02:27) 3 What Ain’t to Be, Just Might Happen (02:22) 4 The Bird That Never Flew (03:13) 5 Comes and Goes (03:15) 6 Washday Blues (02:04) 7 When I Sing for Him (02:58) 8 He Left Me Love (02:57) 9 Oh, He’s Everywhere (03:01) 10 Still on Your Mind (02:41) |
| My Favorite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner : Allmusic album Review : The songs on My Favorite Songwriter are cut from the same cloth as Dolly’s originals -- they’re story-songs that verge on the melodramatic -- but Wagoner favors lurid exaggeration over spare, finely honed details. Consequently, this LP touches upon country corn, coming in the form of the overheated moody recitation “Bird That Never Flew” and the stomping “Washday Blues,” both totems of Nashville’s early-‘70s panache. Of course, this country kitsch has its appeal as an artifact, particularly when it’s paired with a bunch of strong straight-ahead country as it is here -- it’s just that, when compared with Parton’s all-originals The Fairest of Them All, My Favorite Songwriter winds up inadvertently revealing who the better songwriter of these two is. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 48 Title: We Found It Released: 1973-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 23:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love City (01:58) 2 Between Us (01:47) 3 We Found It (02:31) 4 Satan’s River (02:34) 5 I’ve Been Married Just as Long as You Have (02:44) 6 I Am Always Waiting (02:15) 7 Sweet Rachel Ann (02:53) 8 That’s When Love Will Mean (01:55) 9 Love Have Mercy on Us (02:52) 10 How Close They Must Be (02:27) |
 | Album: 20 of 48 Title: My Tennessee Mountain Home Released: 1973-04-21 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Letter (02:03) 2 I Remember (03:44) 3 Old Black Kettle (02:31) 4 Daddy’s Working Boots (02:51) 5 Dr. Robert F. Thomas (02:38) 6 In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) (03:28) 7 My Tennessee Mountain Home (03:07) 8 The Wrong Direction Home (02:30) 9 Back Home (02:43) 10 The Better Part of Life (03:13) 11 Down on Music Row (02:59) 12 Sacred Memories (02:42) |
| My Tennessee Mountain Home : Allmusic album Review : My Tennessee Mountain Home is one of the rootsiest records of Dolly Partons career. With its affectionate homages and salutes to her childhood in Tennessee, the record is a direct and moving slice of mountain music that isnt dressed up in cosmopolitan production. Parton wrote every song on the record, creating a loose, musical autobiography with its 11 songs. Though the sound of the record isnt particularly rowdy, it is heartfelt and rootsy and Partons songs -- "Old Black Kettle," "The Letter," "The Good Old Days When Times Were Bad," and "The Better Part of Life" -- are among her best, most affecting songs, much like My Tennessee Mountain Home itself. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 48 Title: Love and Music Released: 1973-07 Tracks: 10 Duration: 24:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 If Teardrops Were Pennies (02:09) 2 Sounds of Nights (02:22) 3 Laugh the Years Away (01:56) 4 You (02:18) 5 Wasting Love (01:45) 6 Come to Me (02:19) 7 Love Is Out Tonight (02:36) 8 In the Presence of You (02:43) 9 I Get Lonesome by Myself (03:17) 10 There’ll Always Be Music (03:07) |
 | Album: 22 of 48 Title: Bubbling Over Released: 1973-10-14 Tracks: 10 Duration: 24:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bubbling Over (02:20) 2 Traveling Man (02:12) 3 Alabama Sundown (02:30) 4 Afraid to Live and Afraid of Dying (02:04) 5 Love With Me (02:14) 6 My Kind of Man (02:24) 7 Sometimes an Old Memory Gets in My Eye (02:19) 8 Pleasant as May (02:34) 9 The Beginning (02:35) 10 Love, You’re So Beautiful Tonight (03:08) |
 | Album: 23 of 48 Title: Jolene Released: 1974-02 Tracks: 14 Duration: 36:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Jolene (02:40) 2 When Someone Wants to Leave (02:07) 3 River of Happiness (02:19) 4 Early Morning Breeze (02:47) 5 Highlight of My Life (02:17) 6 I Will Always Love You (02:56) 7 Randy (01:52) 8 Living on Memories of You (02:46) 9 Lonely Comin’ Down (03:12) 10 It Must Be You (01:52) 11 Cracker Jack (03:13) 12 Another Woman’s Man (03:00) 13 Barbara on Your Mind (03:14) 14 Last Night’s Lovin’ (02:26) |
| Jolene : Allmusic album Review : Of the three 2007 Dolly Parton reissues from Sony, Jolene is the most absorbing musically and the most problematic lyrically. A sparkling production creates a rich backdrop for both "Jolene" and "When Someone Wants to Leave" (both Parton originals), mixing acoustic guitar, country instruments (steel guitar, dobro), and light percussion. This tasteful mix, nicely spread across the stereo spectrum with Parton front and center, is a joy to listen to. Lyrically, however, these songs are a long way from Loretta Lynns "You Aint Woman Enough to Take My Man." Partons female protagonists are downright pitiful, adrift in a world where a more attractive woman might take their man, where a woman cannot let go of a man who no longer loves her, and where a man is the "highlight" of her life ("Highlight of My Life.") Jolene, originally released in 1974, feels like a shot across the bow of the feminist movement, a reaffirmation that many women still liked the men to wear the pants (women, presumably, who listened to old-fashioned country music). This seems somewhat peculiar now, in that no one -- looking at her long, distinguished career and commanding stage presence -- would accuse Parton of being a weak-kneed songbird. Still, the music and Partons vocal prowess are in top form on Jolene, and "I Will Always Love You" is one of her best performances (which is saying a lot). Like it or loath it, Jolene offers a fascinating snapshot of an era in transition, and captures Parton at the top of her game. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 48 Title: Porter ’n’ Dolly Released: 1974-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 24:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (02:47) 2 Fire That Keeps You Warm (02:07) 3 Too Far Gone (02:10) 4 We’d Have to Be Crazy (02:32) 5 The Power of Love (02:19) 6 Sixteen Years (02:47) 7 Together You and I (02:20) 8 Without You (02:25) 9 Two (02:37) 10 Sounds of Nature (02:17) |
 | Album: 25 of 48 Title: Love Is Like a Butterfly Released: 1974-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 26:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Is Like a Butterfly (02:21) 2 If I Cross Your Mind (02:40) 3 My Eyes Can Only See You (02:48) 4 Take Me Back (02:37) 5 Blackie, Kentucky (03:30) 6 Gettin’ Happy (02:38) 7 You’re the One That Taught Me How to Swing (02:07) 8 Highway Headin’ South (02:05) 9 Once Upon a Memory (03:11) 10 Sacred Memories (02:42) |
 | Album: 26 of 48 Title: The Bargain Store Released: 1975-03-16 Tracks: 10 Duration: 28:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Bargain Store (02:42) 2 Kentucky Gambler (02:39) 3 When I’m Gone (05:09) 4 The Only Hand You’ll Need to Hold (02:09) 5 On My Mind Again (02:51) 6 I Want to Be What You Need (02:42) 7 Love to Remember (02:32) 8 You’ll Always Be Special to Me (02:22) 9 He Would Know (02:33) 10 I’ll Never Forget (02:48) |
 | Album: 27 of 48 Title: Say Forever You’ll Be Mine Released: 1975-08 Tracks: 10 Duration: 25:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Say Forever You’ll Be Mine (02:47) 2 Something to Reach For (02:25) 3 Again (02:25) 4 Our Love (02:37) 5 The Beginning (03:04) 6 I Have No Right to Care (02:40) 7 If You Were Mine (02:46) 8 Love to See Us Through (02:12) 9 How Can I (Help You Forgive Me) (01:55) 10 Life Rides the Train (02:23) |
 | Album: 28 of 48 Title: Dolly: The Seeker/We Used To Released: 1975-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 28:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 We Used To (03:13) 2 The Love I Used to Call Mine (02:45) 3 My Heart Started Breaking (03:18) 4 Most of All Why (03:04) 5 Bobby’s Arms (02:41) 6 The Seeker (03:03) 7 Hold Me (02:35) 8 Because I Love You (02:11) 9 Only the Memory Remains (02:45) 10 I’ll Remember You as Mine (02:46) |
 | Album: 29 of 48 Title: All I Can Do Released: 1976-08 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All I Can Do (02:25) 2 The Fire That Keeps You Warm (02:47) 3 When the Sun Goes Down Tomorrow (02:07) 4 I’m a Drifter (02:56) 5 Falling Out of Love With Me (02:49) 6 Shattered Image (02:25) 7 Boulder to Birmingham (04:16) 8 Preacher Tom (03:42) 9 Life’s Like Poetry (01:51) 10 Hey, Lucky Lady (02:23) |
| All I Can Do : Allmusic album Review : Released in 1976, All I Can Do was Dolly Partons last album produced by longtime mentor and frequent duet partner Porter Wagoner, though this time out Parton co-produced, and one can sense Dolly was straining slightly at the bit on these sessions. While the clear mountain purity of Partons vocals was as beautiful as ever, the backing musicians generated the rhythmic insistence of a rock & roll band on cuts like "Shattered Image" and "The Fire That Keeps You Warm," and this was one of Dollys first clear gestures toward a crossover career. However, despite the country-rock accents on All I Can Do, Partons songwriting had changed little, and "When the Sun Goes Down Tonight," "Im a Drifter," and "All I Can Do" are all tales of life in the South that resonate with emotional honesty and a nostalgia whose sweetness finds room for bitter truths. Similarly, "Preacher Tom" is a song of faith thats as country as cornbread, and just as satisfying. Partons covers of Emmylou Harris "Boulder to Birmingham" and Merle Haggards "Lifes Like Poetry" are inspired, and the production is simple and straightforward, and suits Partons vocals perfectly. A few years on, Partons career and public persona would go through a lot of changes, but All I Can Do serves as a reminder that her commitment to country music was always real, and that she was a first-class talent before she became a multimedia star. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 48 Title: New Harvest… First Gathering Released: 1977-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 38:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Light of a Clear Blue Morning (04:56) 2 Applejack (03:25) 3 My Girl (My Love) (03:46) 4 Holdin’ on to You (02:46) 5 You Are (05:15) 6 How Does It Feel (03:13) 7 Where Beauty Lives in Memory (03:56) 8 (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher (02:53) 9 Getting in My Way (02:40) 10 There (05:32) |
| New Harvest… First Gathering : Allmusic album Review : In 1977, Dolly Parton broke ties with her mentor, Porter Wagoner, moved to Los Angeles, and began mapping out the career that would take her out of the country market and transform her into a star of practically all media. New Harvest...First Gathering was Partons first album working with her new management, and she produced it herself (with Gregg Perry assisting on two tracks), and though it isnt as calculated a piece of radio-ready product as her next set (Here You Come Again) would be, the record makes clear that Parton was interested in moving on to a larger stage. The opening track, "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," is a sophisticated piece of adult contemporary songcraft that suggests practically zero Nashville influence, and her covers of two soul chestnuts, "My Girl" (reworked into the gender-free "My Love") and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," dispel any doubts that Partons voice would work outside of strict country boundaries. However, Dolly doesnt turn her back on her country audience with this set; "Applejack" is a cheerfully corny bit of backwoods nostalgia, "Holdin on to You" and "You Are" are lovely and delicate love songs, and "There" is a spiritual number thats as sincere and passionate as it is inventive. In retrospect, New Harvest...First Gathering sounds like a dry run for Dollys later crossover career, but its also full of fine songs and produced with intelligence and restraint, and it has stood the test of time far better than much of her work of the 1980s. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 48 Title: Here You Come Again Released: 1977-10-29 Tracks: 10 Duration: 30:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Here You Come Again (02:57) 2 Baby Come Out Tonight (03:25) 3 It’s All Wrong, but It’s All Right (03:17) 4 Me and Little Andy (02:38) 5 Lovin’ You (02:22) 6 Cowgirl and the Dandy (03:46) 7 Two Doors Down (03:04) 8 God’s Coloring Book (03:10) 9 As Soon as I Touched Him (03:09) 10 Sweet Music Man (03:10) |
| Here You Come Again : Allmusic album Review : It might be the short length of Dolly Partons Here You Come Again that inevitably makes it feel like it just didnt quite all come together, yet there are plenty of high points, such as the catchy title tune, the grooving "Its All Wrong, But Its All Right," "Two Doors Down," and the typically Parton-esque charm of "Cowgirl and the Dandy." Some problems originate with the studio backup, which just isnt country enough. Sure, theres some pedal steel here and there, but an effort is obviously being made to steer her away from the hardcore country sound to whatever might have been perceived as being popular in the late 70s. This is still a few years before disco was to temporarily monopolize her aesthetic. The musicians here represent a smooth Los Angeles sound, with pickers such as David Lindley aboard. There are even synthesizer contributions from Ian Underwood, but from what he does one would hardly know that he had been a member of the avant-garde rock outfit the Mothers of Invention. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 48 Title: Heartbreaker Released: 1978-07 Tracks: 10 Duration: 31:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Really Got the Feeling (03:09) 2 It’s Too Late to Love Me Now (03:02) 3 We’re Through Forever (’til Tomorrow) (03:51) 4 Sure Thing (03:32) 5 With You Gone (03:07) 6 Baby I’m Burnin’ (02:36) 7 Nickels and Dimes (03:25) 8 The Man (03:17) 9 Heartbreaker (03:32) 10 I Wanna Fall in Love (02:25) |
| Heartbreaker : Allmusic album Review : Dolly Parton found increasing success in the late 70s, and Heartbreaker showcases her increasing confidence beautifully. In 1978 Parton was the winner of the Country Music Associations Entertainer of the Year award, probably due in part to Heartbreakers rise to number one on the country charts and its two number one singles ("I Really Got the Feeling" and the title track). While the clean country-pop is a step away from her much rootsier previous albums, it is the natural progression toward her 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs pop crossover success in the years to come. Unfortunately with this BMG Special Products release, the liner notes are nonexistent (Partons duet partner, Richard Dennison, on "Were Through Forever (Til Tomorrow)" goes completely uncredited) and the disco remixes of "Baby Im Burning" and "I Wanna Fall in Love" (which were two of the years biggest club hits) wouldve been terrific bonus cuts, but they are nowhere to be found. Still, its great to have Heartbreaker back in print, no matter the shortcomings of the packaging. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 48 Title: Great Balls of Fire Released: 1979-05-24 Tracks: 10 Duration: 34:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Star of the Show (03:56) 2 Down (03:35) 3 You’re the Only One (03:21) 4 Help! (02:45) 5 Do You Think That Time Stands Still? (03:56) 6 Sweet Summer Lovin’ (03:17) 7 Great Balls of Fire (03:51) 8 Almost in Love (03:16) 9 It’s Not My Affair Anymore (03:17) 10 Sandy’s Song (03:18) |
| Great Balls of Fire : Allmusic album Review : For years, Dolly Parton wanted to be a big star, and theres no arguing that she had the talent, the smarts, and the drive to be as famous as she wanted. What Dolly didnt have was a handful of records that would get her airplay on pop radio, and she set about changing that with 1977s Here You Come Again, in which she hired a producer who could give her a Top 40 hit. Released in 1979, Great Balls of Fire upped the ante by delivering an aural smorgasbord of pop styles -- disco ("Star of the Show"), soft rock ("Youre the Only One" and "Sweet Summer Lovin"), ballads ("Do You Think That Time Stands Still" and "Almost in Love"), slinky R&B ("Down" and "Its Not My Affair Anymore"), and even a credible attempt at full-on rock & roll (the title cut). Considering how well (and how sympathetically) Parton produced herself on her last few pre-crossover efforts, the aggressive polish of Dean Parks and Gregg Perrys studio settings is a bit disconcerting, but they thankfully seem aware at all times who is in the spotlight, and Dolly, professional that she is, rises to the challenge on all ten tracks. However, Parton only wrote four songs for this set, and it seems ironic that the most purely country cut on the LP is a cover of the Beatles "Help!," which is given a sprightly neo-bluegrass arrangement, showing Parton certainly hadnt lost touch with her musical roots but was finding unusual ways of expressing them. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 48 Title: Dolly, Dolly, Dolly Released: 1980-04 Tracks: 10 Duration: 34:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Starting Over Again (03:58) 2 Same Old Fool (03:17) 3 Old Flames Cant Hold a Candle to You (03:25) 4 You’re the Only One I Ever Needed (02:57) 5 Say Goodnight (04:00) 6 Fool for Your Love (03:06) 7 Even a Fool Would Let Go (03:20) 8 Sweet Agony (03:39) 9 I Knew You When (03:08) 10 Packin’ It Up (03:27) |
| Dolly, Dolly, Dolly : Allmusic album Review : While Dolly Parton first became famous as Nashvilles most voluptuous glamour gal, she was also a remarkably gifted songwriter who could tackle classic country themes with a superb ear for details and a heart-tugging ring of truth. So its worth noting that Dolly Dolly Dolly, released in 1980 (the same year she became a bona fide movie star with her role in 9 to 5), does not feature a single song written by Parton. Instead, producer Gary Klein (who produced her breakthrough pop single, "Here You Come Again") gave Parton a batch of fluff from a variety of AOR workhorses, and the arrangements and production made this Partons slickest and most mainstream-oriented album up to the time. Whats most impressive is that despite the often overcooked backings and less than spectacular songs, Parton herself escapes relatively unscathed; theres no arguing Dolly is a pro, and she handles her job with aplomb here, finding emotions in songs that would seem to have little visible heart or soul, letting her pure Appalachian soprano cut through the orchestra, and even making with the funk on "Sweet Agony." And possibly without Klein noticing, Parton slips in a cover of "Old Flames Cant Hold a Candle to You" that would have gone over gangbusters at the Grand Ol Opry and shows her muse hadnt let her forget her best music, even as she was making an album in which she put her formidable gifts to the service of some pretty forgettable stuff. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 48 Title: Porter & Dolly Released: 1980-06 Tracks: 10 Duration: 26:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Making Plans (02:12) 2 If You Go, I’ll Follow You (02:42) 3 Hide Me Away (03:05) 4 Someone Just Like You (03:07) 5 Little David’s Harp (03:04) 6 Beneath the Sweet Magnolia Tree (02:22) 7 Touching Memories (02:26) 8 Daddy Did His Best (02:44) 9 If You Say I Can (02:23) 10 Singing on the Mountain (02:19) |
 | Album: 36 of 48 Title: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs Released: 1980-11 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 9 to 5 (02:45) 2 Hush-a-Bye Hard Times (03:49) 3 The House of the Rising Sun (04:02) 4 Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) (04:41) 5 Sing for the Common Man (03:47) 6 Working Girl (03:17) 7 Detroit City (03:35) 8 But You Know I Love You (03:18) 9 Dark as a Dungeon (03:26) 10 Poor Folks Town (02:56) |
| 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs : Allmusic album Review : Dolly Parton has never been an albums artist, and RCA has always been adept at shoving poorly organized products onto the market (look how theyve treated Elvis Presley). Hence, though she is an important country figure, most of Partons albums are hard to recommend. This one contains the title hit, plus a few other Parton originals and a version of Woody Guthries "Deportee" among its eight tracks. But thats enough to put it a notch above most of Partons RCA catalog. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 48 Title: Heartbreak Express Released: 1982-04 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Heartbreak Express (03:13) 2 Single Women (03:44) 3 My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (03:47) 4 As Much as Always (03:17) 5 Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (04:02) 6 Release Me (03:28) 7 Barbara on Your Mind (03:14) 8 Act Like a Fool (03:24) 9 Prime of Our Love (03:48) 10 Hollywood Potters (03:38) |
 | Album: 38 of 48 Title: The Winning Hand Released: 1982-12 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 You’re Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning (02:54) 2 Ping Pong (02:18) 3 You’ll Always Have Someone (02:56) 4 Here Comes That Rainbow Again (02:51) 5 The Bigger the Fool, the Harder the Fall (03:40) 6 Help Me Make It Through the Night (03:46) 7 Happy Birthday Baby (02:28) 8 You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago (02:46) 9 To Make a Long Story Short, She’s Gone (03:04) 10 Someone Loves You Honey (02:54) 1 Everything’s Beautiful (In It’s Own Way) (03:13) 2 Bring on the Sunshine (02:58) 3 Put It Off Until Tomorrow (02:26) 4 I Never Cared for You (02:21) 5 Casey’s Last Ride (04:06) 6 King of a Lonely Castle (03:17) 7 The Little Things (02:32) 8 The Bandits of Beverly Hills (02:33) 9 What Do You Think About Lovin’ (02:38) 10 Born to Love Me (04:19) |
| The Winning Hand : Allmusic album Review : Recorded for Monument in 1983 thanks to the leniency of the artists respective labels, Brenda, Dolly, Kris & Willie brought together Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson for a double album of duets featuring every possible combination of the four, as well as a handful of solo numbers. Certainly a delight for fans of the individual performers, this album is nonetheless too redolent of a various-artists anthology to truly succeed as a piece. Much of the music is highly enjoyable, however, particularly the Dolly and Kris novelty, "Ping Pong," and Brenda and Dollys duet on What Do You Think About Lovin." As a bizarre bonus, Johnny Cash provided the half-poetry, half-prose liner notes. | ||
 | Album: 39 of 48 Title: Burlap & Satin Released: 1983-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ooo Ee (03:36) 2 Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On (03:07) 3 Jealous Heart (03:16) 4 A Gamble Either Way (03:30) 5 Appalachian Memories (04:15) 6 I Really Don’t Want to Know (03:00) 7 Potential New Boyfriend (03:36) 8 A Cowboy’s Way (04:13) 9 One of Those Days (03:53) 10 Calm on the Water (03:19) |
| Burlap & Satin : Allmusic album Review : While many of Dolly Partons albums between 1977 and 1982 (when she made the conscious decision to reach for mainstream stardom) may have sounded as if she had willingly turned her back on her musical strengths in favor of achieving chart success, Parton always seemed fully present on them and sang like the top-shelf talent that she was. However, 1983s Burlap & Satin was a turn into something more like hackwork. Parton wrote six songs on Burlap & Satin, including three originally penned for the soundtrack of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and "A Gamble Either Way" and "Appalachian Memories" are touching, personal tunes that recall her best work. But "A Cowboys Ways" is too maudlin for its own good, and while "Calm on the Water" is clearly sincere, its not one of Partons better spiritual efforts. This albums real failing, however, is Gregg Perrys production, which is slick and empty-sounding, and unlike many of her earlier albums, Dolly seems to lack the enthusiasm to sing her way through the mediocre backing tracks, which spoils the best numbers and sinks the lesser stuff (which surprisingly includes a duet with Willie Nelson on "I Really Dont Want to Know"). Dolly Parton has made worse albums than Burlap & Satin, but few sound as lifeless, which -- given the boundless heart and soul of her best music -- is a deeply troubling flaw. | ||
 | Album: 40 of 48 Title: The Great Pretender Released: 1984-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Save the Last Dance for Me (03:50) 2 I Walk the Line (03:34) 3 Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) (04:22) 4 Downtown (03:19) 5 We Had It All (03:50) 6 She Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) (03:39) 7 We’ll Sing in the Sunshine (03:19) 8 I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (02:50) 9 Elusive Butterfly (02:45) 10 The Great Pretender (03:43) |
| The Great Pretender : Allmusic album Review : The Great Pretender includes Partons hit remake of the Drifters "Save the Last Dance for Me," along with a rendition of Petula Clarks "Downtown." | ||
 | Album: 41 of 48 Title: Once Upon a Christmas Released: 1984-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Believe in Santa Claus (03:30) 2 Medley: Winter Wonderland / Sleigh Ride (03:42) 3 Christmas Without You (03:52) 4 The Christmas Song (03:20) 5 A Christmas to Remember (03:40) 6 With Bells On (02:41) 7 Silent Night (03:15) 8 The Greatest Gift of All (03:44) 9 White Christmas (03:04) 10 Once Upon a Christmas (04:21) |
 | Album: 42 of 48 Title: Real Love Released: 1985-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Think About Love (03:25) 2 Tie Our Love (in a Double Knot) (03:25) 3 We Got Too Much (03:16) 4 It’s Such a Heartache (03:25) 5 Don’t Call It Love (03:17) 6 Real Love (03:53) 7 I Can’t Be True (03:18) 8 Once in a Very Blue Moon (03:45) 9 Come Back to Me (03:36) 10 I Hope You’re Never Happy (03:55) |
| Real Love : Allmusic album Review : Dolly Partons best music is genuinely timeless, spinning tales of love, home, and faith that seem at once as old as the hills and as fresh as yesterdays heartbreak. However, one spin of Real Love lands this album firmly in 1985, when it was recorded. In an apparent effort to keep up with the times, producer David Malloy built most of this albums arrangements around synthesizers and drum machines, and two decades later the results sound almost painfully dated, far more so than Partons work of the early 70s; this is middle-of-the-road schlock that grates on the nerves. Real Love also shortchanges Parton the songwriter, who only penned four of the albums ten tracks, though "We Got Too Much," "I Cant Be True," and "I Hope Youre Never Happy" display a welcome spunk most of these songs lack. Dolly herself is in fine voice here, and while she sometimes has to struggle to make herself heard through Malloys mix, her performances are game and she offers more enthusiasm than most of the material deserves (though her debut with Kenny Rogers on the title track fails to connect). Listen to Dolly Partons fine self-produced 1977 album New Harvest...First Gathering back to back with Real Love and the question becomes obvious: why did RCA hire David Malloy when Dolly could do a much better job by herself? | ||
 | Album: 43 of 48 Title: Trio Released: 1987-01 Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Pain of Loving You (02:34) 2 Making Plans (03:38) 3 To Know Him Is to Love Him (03:50) 4 Hobo’s Meditation (03:19) 5 Wildflowers (03:35) 6 Telling Me Lies (04:25) 7 My Dear Companion (02:57) 8 Those Memories of You (04:01) 9 I’ve Had Enough (03:32) 10 Rosewood Casket (03:01) 11 Farther Along (04:08) |
| Trio : Allmusic album Review : Bringing together Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt for the album Trio was a truly inspired idea, and not simply because they were three of the finest voices in country and pop music at the time. While a gifted entertainer, Parton is also a business-savvy professional who will willingly set aside her gifts as a pure country singer if she thinks her audience would rather hear something like "Nine to Five." However, give her a stage for old-school country material, and she will always rise sublimely to the occasion. Similarly, some of Linda Ronstadts finest work was on her early country-rock albums (especially Heart Like a Wheel), but she seems to operate best with strong collaborators; left to her own devices, shes just as likely to pick wrong-headed material in styles not comfortable to her, but in the right settings her gifts still dazzle. And while Emmylou Harris had as strong a track record as anyone in Nashville in the 1980s, its obvious she loves to collaborate with others, and sings harmonies with the same rich and affecting beauty that she brings to her headlining gigs. So you take two gifted artists who need proper direction, team them up with an excellent collaborative artist, and the results should fall neatly into place. In truth, thats a formula as likely as not to fail, but on Trio the experiment works brilliantly. The three vocalists display an obvious affinity and respect for one anothers talents, inspiring superb performances in one another, and while they all shine in their solo spots, some of the albums most pleasurable moments are when the three harmonize, with their distinct but equally impressive voices melding into a whole thats more than the sum of its parts. Harris, Parton, and Ronstadt also make the most of a set of fine songs (certainly a better program than Parton or Ronstadt had taken on in the studio in a while), and producer George Massenburg lined up a wonderfully subtle and intuitive backing group, with Ry Cooder, David Lindley, and Albert Lee picking gloriously without calling undue attention to themselves. In short, Trio is that rare example of an all-star collaborative effort that truly shows everyone involved to their best advantage, and it ranks with the best of all three headliners work. | ||
 | Album: 44 of 48 Title: Rainbow Released: 1987-11 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The River Unbroken (04:33) 2 I Know You by Heart (04:19) 3 Dump the Dude (03:51) 4 Red Hot Screaming Love (04:10) 5 Make Love Work (03:26) 6 Everyday Hero (04:35) 7 Two Lovers (03:21) 8 Could I Have Your Autograph (03:12) 9 Savin’ It for You (04:18) 10 More Than I Can Say (04:06) |
| Rainbow : Allmusic album Review : Rainbow was released in 1987 during the interim between the critically acclaimed Trio and the soon-to-be-hit-record White Limozeen, but it nonetheless captures Dolly Parton in the midst of uninspired mediocrity. The record was promoted relentlessly (especially on Dollys ABC television variety hour -- surprise, surprise), but vanished not long after its release. While not exactly bad, Rainbow is standard mid-80s Dolly Parton in the sense that its chock-full of manufactured contemporary pop that, even with a few clever lyrics and catchy hooks, ultimately goes nowhere. The albums leading singles, "The River Unbroken" and "Could I Have Your Autograph," are somewhat intriguing, but theyre certainly not strong enough to survive the glossy, overtly polished production. Even Parton sounds somewhat distanced by the music, as her vocals seem lost and bored, almost like this record was made (and probably was, come to think of it) on a punch-in/punch-out routine schedule. Thus, Rainbow stands as just one more Dolly Parton pop record that may show signs of promise, but ends up being another forgettable misstep in her career. | ||
 | Album: 45 of 48 Title: White Limozeen Released: 1989-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Time for Me to Fly (02:53) 2 Yellow Roses (03:56) 3 Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (02:33) 4 Slow Healing Heart (03:57) 5 What Is It My Love (04:14) 6 White Limozeen (04:17) 7 Wait ’Til I Get You Home (02:59) 8 Take Me Back to the Country (02:35) 9 The Moon, the Stars and Me (03:19) 10 He’s Alive (04:38) |
| White Limozeen : Allmusic album Review : Parton moved to Columbia in the late 80s and started paying more attention to her recordings, the best of which is this album. Its produced by Ricky Skaggs, who brought in such fast-picking cronies as Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas and used more of Partons own songs than usual. The result is an unusual consistency and a musical revitalization for the singer. | ||
 | Album: 46 of 48 Title: Home for Christmas Released: 1990-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 31:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 First Noel (04:05) 2 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (01:52) 3 I’ll Be Home for Christmas (03:15) 4 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (03:26) 5 Go Tell It on the Mountain (02:51) 6 The Little Drummer Boy (04:37) 7 We Three Kings (02:45) 8 Jingle Bells (01:56) 9 O Little Town of Bethlehem (02:39) 10 Joy to the World (04:23) |
| Home for Christmas : Allmusic album Review : Since it was recorded during the 80s, Home for Christmas sounds a bit too slick, especially for fans of her early material, but its nevertheless a reasonably enjoyable holiday record, thanks to Dollys irrepressible charm. | ||
 | Album: 47 of 48 Title: Eagle When She Flies Released: 1991-03 Tracks: 11 Duration: 38:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 If You Need Me (02:45) 2 Rockin’ Years (03:27) 3 Country Road (03:27) 4 Silver and Gold (03:51) 5 Eagle When She Flies (03:10) 6 Best Woman Wins (03:11) 7 What a Heartache (03:34) 8 Runaway Feelin’ (02:57) 9 Dreams Do Come True (03:26) 10 Family (03:46) 11 Wildest Dreams (04:29) |
| Eagle When She Flies : Allmusic album Review : She confirms that shes fully returned to the country fold, and is rewarded with her first million-selling album that wasnt a greatest-hits package. The title song is a powerful female anthem. | ||
 | Album: 48 of 48 Title: Favourites Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 40:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Put It Off Until Tomorrow (02:18) 2 Reuben James (02:44) 3 Daddy Won’t Be Home Anymore (02:54) 4 For the Good Times (03:21) 5 I’ve Lived My Life (02:37) 6 Where Does Rosie Go? (02:11) 7 I’m Not Worth the Tears (02:34) 8 We All Got to Help Each Other (02:21) 9 The Giving and the Taking (02:26) 10 A Poem for My Little Lady (02:34) 11 Hillbilly Willy (01:56) 12 She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye (02:22) 13 I Couldn’t Wait Forever (02:25) 14 Sleep Comes Easy (02:52) 15 Too Lonely Too Long (02:21) 16 Ruby Dont Take Your Love to Town (02:51) |