The Essential Dolly Parton

by Dolly Parton

Description by OLDIES.com:

With over 70 albums released, 40 Grammy nominations and over 3,000 songs copyrighted, Dolly Parton's standing as one of entertainment's most beloved and durable icons is undeniably assured. A true multi-medium superstar, with chart topping records, hit movies, a television variety show, and even a theme park named in her honor, Dolly Parton has more charted singles than any other female in the history of country music. Here is the most comprehensive look at a remarkable music career that has spanned nearly four decades with all of Dolly Parton's essential songs on two CDs.

Product Description:

Personnel include: Dolly Parton (vocals); Emmylou Harris, Kenny Rogers, Porter Wagoner, Ricky Van Shelton, Linda Ronstadt (vocals).

Liner Note Author: Holly George-Warren.

Recording information: 1966 - 2000.

One of the most successful and versatile artists in country music, Dolly Parton is a true icon of the genre. With a recording career spanning more than four decades, Parton epitomized country, while always venturing into other territories, including pop and bluegrass. Columbia/Legacy's THE ESSENTIAL DOLLY PARTON (not to be confused with other similarly titled compilations) begins with the striking performer flaunting her charmingly assertive nature with 1966's rollicking "Dumb Blonde," and proceeds in chronological fashion through Parton's slew of '70s hits, including the gentle, folk-like "Coat of Many Colors" and the gorgeous 1974 version of "I Will Always Love You." (The latter two songs, like many on this collection, were written by Parton herself.)

Parton's hits from the late '70s, '80s, and beyond continue on the second disc. Runaway '80s hits "9 to 5" (from the titular film starring Parton) and "Islands in the Stream" (her Bees Gees-penned duet with Kenny Rogers) represent her commercial peak, but the remaining latter-day songs reveal that Parton's talents--particularly her distinctive high, clear voice--were still going strong into the 2000s (most notably on her bluegrass rendition of Collective Soul's rock hit, "Shine"). For those looking for the best overview of Parton's career, this 37-track set is it.