Customer Reviews

Backwoods Barbie

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Dolly Parton has been making solid to brilliant albums for decades and we don't have to go into her crossover appeal that paved the way for Shania or how the Dixie Chicks have ridden her bubbly sheen of country to their own genre bending career, but we need to talk about how Country Radio has smacked this woman in the face and ignored her for helping to sustain it and bring in new listeners.

Dolly's new disc is great with some truly outstanding cuts. She didn't pen every song on the disc and there are covers. "Tracks of my Tears" sticks close to the Smokey Robinson original but I love it. Dolly's almost innocent vocal and the opening lines of that song fit her personality perfectly, giving a hidden wink and nod to the lyrics.

"Drives Me Crazy" gets a bit of a rework, more of a barn burner; it's cute and you won't skip it when you hear it. But the true foot stomper is "Shinola" Dolly's kiss off number with grit and wit -- showing Gretchen Wilson and Miranda Lambert how to kick a man out like a mule, but with class.

Then there are the outstanding songs. "Cologne" is worth the price of the disc alone, building from a sweet opening sigh then straight into a relationship where what most likely attracted the lover must be repressed to conceal their relationship. Then there is "Made of Stone," a 180 to the previous number, scorned love and with desperation in her voice with swelling back up singers pushing her along -- PERFECTION!

"The Lonesomes" and "I Will Forever Hate Roses" are the rest of the best. Dolly doesn't seem to be updating her sound, begging for radio acceptance. But it sounds like a great Dolly Parton album that somehow went unreleased when she was at her mainstream peak.

So many great country artists are just being ignored on the radio. She gets the ovations, she puts the butts in the seats, but when will radio give what listeners want? We want Dolly dang it!

No exaggeration. Surrounded by other new releases this month that are not nearly as dynamic, "Backwoods Barbie" is a standout, and perhaps one of the greatest new releases this year. It has been a long time since I've purchased an album and listened to it without using the skip button. Every track is solid. For those of you who may not be a fan of this artist, forget this artist for a minute. It is simply the best in modern Country music. After spending the last few years exploring Bluegrass music, Dolly parton has returned to country, but this time somehow you can feel she's brought all she has learned from her vast musical history.

Dolly's "Backwoods Barbie" cd has so many great songs on it, and a little bit of something for a variety of musical tastes. The title track is a pure country Dolly autobiographical tune, while "She Drives Me Crazy" is a lot of fun for anyone who was young when the original version was released. "Jesus and Gravity" is such a wonderful, spiritual song, and probably will be up next to "He's Alive" out of her greatest gospel songs. Dolly sings her heart out on every song and puts so much emotion into each one. The overall feel of it is like her early 90's album "Hungry Again", but updated with a lot more musical styles, including the blues number "The Lonesomes". And I can't forget to mention the upbeat "Shinola" in which Dolly gives off some sass! I've been waiting for this cd for a while and I was not disappointed!

I bought this CD yesterday and I played it constantly since getting it! I'm glad that Dolly is back! This CD reminds me of her early 80 releases...it is incredible! The first song Better Get to Livin is really great! It's one of my favorite songs!~ Dolly also has a remake of the Fine Young Cannibals song Drive Me Crazy...This song is so hot! Get this CD, you'll be glad you did!

Dolly Parton's new CD "Backwoods Barbie" has brought the 7 time Grammy winner back to the top where she belongs. Released on February 26, 2008 the album is one of the top 5 best Dolly Parton albums after "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", "Here You Come Again", "Halos and Horns", and "New Harvest-First Gathering". Fans will relish in hearing the Dolly they have come to love. The album has something for everyone; great country tunes, wonderful remakes, and perfect music. Ask any female in country music who their idol is and Dolly Parton is their answer.
"Backwoods Barbie" is Dolly's first album for her very own record label named appropriately "Dolly Records". Debuting at number 2 on the country Billboard Charts on March 6th,2008 the CD is Dolly's highest debut for any album she has ever put out. Selling 27,000 copies in its first week alone the CD also debut at #17 pop. These numbers are amazing as country radio has foolishly ignored the divas' music, thus not promoting the album and due to some minor back problems Dolly won't be publicizing the album until April. Fans have shown they love their Dolly and Dolly has proven she is the best singer and entertainer to ever come out of Nashville.
Dolly wrote 9 songs on the album including the first single "Better Get To Livin" with the albums co-producer Kent Wells. The follow up single will be "Jesus and Gravity" written by Craig Wiseman and Betsy Ulmer, and it will become a classic Dolly song. Simply amazing. Other top songs are the haunting "Cologne", "Made of Stone" and the title track which Dolly wrote about herself and will be in the 9 to 5 Broadway musical. "Only Dreamin'" sounds very much like Dolly's 2001 classsic "Little Sparrow". Wonderful! The most country song on the CD is the beautiful "I Will Forever Hate Roses".
The packaging of the CD, which is Dolly's 77th album, is the best ever with beautiful artwork featuring gorgeous Dolly pics surounded by Dolly's favorite color pink. The old Ed Careff Dolly logo is also brought back on this album as it was always a favorite of Dolly fans on her RCA LP's in the '70's and '80's. There's also a great booklet found hidden on the inside of the CD cover featuring song lyrics to every song. The pictures of Dolly were taken last fall in Tennessee. The pickup truck Dolly sits on is owned by one of Dolly's employees at Dollywood who wouldn't sell the vehicle to Dolly. Dolly can always offer him more money down the road!
A perfect album from a perfect entertainer. Dolly Parton thanks for the wonderful music and it's great to have you back where you belong! You are my idol and I Will Always Love You!

I have followed Dolly's music for years, and have all her albums and CD's since New Harvest First Gathering back in 1977. Aside from her two bluegrass CD's, The Grass is Blue, and LIttle Sparrow (which I believe are her all-time best recordings), Backwoods Barbie is among her best. Considering she wrote most of the songs on "Barbie," this makes it a landmark release. It's amazing that at this stage in her life and career, she continues to put out her best work ever. Highlights on the CD are Better Get to Living, Jesus and Gravity, and Drives Me Crazy. I have played Jesus and Gravity over and over - an amazing song. I have hopes that radio will play that one, but based on what's happened in recent years, we may not hear much of this CD on radio. Dolly doesn't need radio anyway. Every fan of Dolly's music should get this CD and play it for your friends!

Wow! Ms. Parton has done it again i:e, she has created another fantastic record. My favorite song would have to be her autobiographical , title track "Backwoods Barbie". It reminds me of her other song "Coat of many Colors". It also has wonderful tune and pretty lyrics. I also like the pictures in the liner notes.

Many knowledgeable, die-hard fans who know a lot more about Parton's career than i do are praising this cd. As someone who's always liked her but hasn't purchased her releases regularly, i just want to throw in my 2 cents and say that 'Jesus&Gravity' is probably the best new song i've heard in years and it sounds like a 'classic in the making' to me.
A great song is a great song....and what so many of our treasured 'evergreen' artists (like Dolly, Stevie Nicks, Streisand, Linda R. and on and on) have been lacking for many years is finding a GREAT new song that can reach millions and simply not only appeal to their loyal fan base. 'Jesus&Gravity' just has the power to be THE song that could finally get Dolly radio airplay that she deserves, so i hope she includes it in her set during her upcoming tour and gets promo cds of it to radio stations, because i think it's her best shot in decades at having a smash.
The message of 'Jesus&Gravity' is great; the song builds and builds, and Dolly's voice soars in ways i haven't heard since 'It's All Wrong But Its All Right' or 'Light of a Clear Blue Morning'-- this is powerful singing and not 'breathy-cutesy-bouncy' which i understand is some of her charm, but when a classic singer's pipes get a great workout in the best showcase for her talents i've heard in years, this is the song to not let get away. I don't like the first track on the cd at all which already has a video, and i wish her well with it, but it's just not a great song (in my opinion).
'Jesus&Gravity' is mature, yet has an appeal that could reach all ages, it's inspirational, and the song to bring her back to radio. It has the makings of 'song of the year' and 'best female vocal performance' so i hope she doesn't let it get away. It makes me want to go back and explore her catalog. Bravo, Dolly :)

I'm not a particularly huge country fan. So much of it is so twee and dislikeable, but I'm a big fan of quality music, no matter what genre its from. This 2008 return to Country from it's reigning Queen is quite simply, a stunning album. For a good half an hour I couldn't get past the first track, and first single from the album, 'Better Get To Livin' which cements Dolly's reputation as a master of her art. From that point onwards, the album just goes from strength to strength. I was touched by the lyrics of the song 'Backwoods Barbie', and Dolly's vulnerability beneath her exterior is a recurring theme. I'm not sure 'Drive Me Crazy' works as well as some others, but that's certainly not to say it's a weak point.

It's testimony to the quality of this release that those for whom Dolly has become the butt of her jokes in terms of her image will be unable to do anything but stand and admire a country legend, back and in the greatest form ever. Remarkable.

wow welcome back miss Dolly,What a wonderful "cd" stand out cuts are 1.better get to livin 2.made of stone 3.backwoods barbie reminds me of coat of many colors 4.cologne,such a good song so true 10.Shinola just rocks out luv it.you go miss dolly see you here in Dallas May 11th.we will always love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!