Customer Reviews

Coat of Many Colors

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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This is one of three titles re-issued of Dolly Parton. This one, along with "Jolene" have been issued on CD several times already. So the draw here are the bonus tracks. In this case the album as a whole is better than the bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are good, but nothing that stands out and knocks you over. The acoustic "My Blue Tears" is the best of the bunch though. As for the original album, some classic tracks here. One Dolly's stronger early albums.

For an artist of Parton's stature, it's incredible that her towering early achievements are so spottily available on CD. Many of her brilliant solo albums of the '70s - the sides waxed before crossing over to pop stardom - have been left unreissued. The few that have seen CD, such as this classic 1971 release, have moved in and out of print. Buddha provided a straight-up reissue in 1999, and an imported two-fer on BMG paired this title with Parton's "Joshua" LP. The domestic Buddha release is now replaced by this bonus-track augmented Legacy reissue, but fans that want the extra tracks here and "Joshua" on the import will buy themselves some duplication.

Parton's early years under the tutelage of Porter Wagoner were rich in material and performances, and "Coat of Many Colors" contains some of her best. The title track weaves biography, bible verse and gospel soul into one of Parton's most heart-rending compositions. Her words capture the emotional turmoil of childhood through the discovery of an adult's nostalgic memory, and her voice holds both a little girl's confusion and a women's knowingness. It's breathtaking to hear songwriting, singing and production mesh so fully.

The unrivaled quality of Parton's voice is heard on the bluegrass-harmony backed "My Blue Tears" and the forthright "She Never Met a Man (She Didn't Like)." Parton's sassy comedic edge, which would carry her into the mainstream, is heard on "Traveling Man," and the outré "If I Lose My Mind" must have shocked a few country listeners in 1971. The backings include fiddle, steel, twangy guitar, funky swamp beats and even a touch of '70s soul, and it's a testament to Parton's artistic gravity that it meshes so well into an album.

The reissue's four bonus tracks include three cast-offs from the original 1971 sessions, and the a superb acoustic demo of "My Blue Tears." Parton rerecorded her own "My Heart Started Breaking" for her 1975 "Dolly" LP, but this 1971 version's never been heard before. Her "Just as Good as Gone" was left to the songbook, and her rendition of Porter Wagoner's "The Tender Touch of Love" now joins the previously released edition by Jim Ed Brown. All three of the studio-produced bonuses fit the sound and feel of the album, but it's the voice-and-guitar demo of "My Blue Tears" that catapults this disc past earlier reissues.

Legacy's reissue (along with accompanying volumes of "My Tennessee Mountain Home" and "Jolene") fills out the packaging with newly struck liner notes by Chet Flippo and chart and session information that was missing from the earlier Buddha edition. The running time is still short (38 minutes, instead of the original LP's 27), but it's a great place to start a Dolly Parton collection; those who own the earlier CD reissue should consider upgrading for the bonus tracks and new booklet. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

Parton's years under the tutelage (and to a large extent, control) of Porter Wagoner were rich in good material and performances, even if they didn't produce the sort of enormous popular acclaim she would later find. 1971's "Coat of Many Colors" is a perfect example of the brilliant work Parton was recording during these years, including the gospel inflections of the signature title tune, the bluegrass harmonies of "My Blue Tears," and the more outre subject matter of "If I Lose My Mind" and "She Never Met a Man (She Didn't Like)."

The title track attests to Parton's brilliance as a songwriter, capturing the emotional turmoil of childhood through the discovery of an adult's nostalgic memory. Parton's voice holds both a little girl's confusion and a woman's knowingness, underlined by acoustic guitar, a light shuffle beat, and touches of gospel organ and background harmonies. It's breathtaking to hear songwriting, singing and production mesh so fully. Throughout the rest of the album Parton's songs, augmented by a trio of tunes from Wagoner, tell human stories in a language that seems effortlessly plainspoken. The productions remain light and supportive, spanning weepy steel and fiddle ("The Mystery of the Mystery"), twangy electric guitar and a funky swamp beat ("Traveling Man"), and 70s soul ("Here I am").

Buddha's reissue presents a crisp remastering of the album's original ten tracks. Parton's original handwritten liner notes are reproduced in reduced form, necessitating a magnifying glass for most readers. Robyn Flans newly penned notes provide a few short paragraphs of career background, but haven't the room to make much of a dent in explaining the album and its songs. Ironically, the reissue credits for the Buddha staff fill an entire column, while a personnel listing for the original players is missing. And that's a shame, because the studio pickers give welcome, understated performances that support Parton's songwriting without drowning her finely crafted words in countrypolitan dross.

With most of Parton's albums from this era out of print, those wishing to dig deeper than greatest hits compilations will find this a welcome addition to their collections. For those just discovering Parton's early years, this is (despite its brevity - the entire disc clocks in at just over 27 minutes) as good an introduction as you'll find.

I must fully agree with those who are praising the reissue of this album. It seems that many of Parton's earlier more country oriented work will gradually be reissued. Now that she seems to be rediscovering her roots with albums like "Hungry Again," and "The Grass is Blue," it is time for the rest of the world who seems to think that Shania Twain is the real deal, the understand what a real country album sounds like. This is the place to start!

I love Dolly, and I am very pleased to see a trend at rereleasing her older albums on CD. I HAD to buy this version of Coat for the bonus tracks, which are wonderful. I have never really been a fan of demo tracks, nor a fan of "My Blue Tears", but this version is remarkable and has proved to me what a great song it is! I am hoping to see more reissues in the futurn; "Bubblin' Over" anyone?

For too long, RCA/BMG has treated the catalog of Dolly Parton with incompetence and indifference. Albums from her early country period have been out of print for years while collection after collection contain the same songs from her uninteresting pop phase of her career. With the long overdue reissue of this album, BMG may be sending signals that it is ready to treat this music with the respect and honor it deserves.

If there was no other song here then the title track, this CD would be worth having, but as it turns out the entire disc is full of the kind of music Dolly Parton has always done best. Now that commercial radio has turned their backs on her, Parton seems to be headed back in the place she should have never left. Let us hope that BMG's reissue of this classic album is a sign of good things to come from them. Here's to more Parton reissues.

Finally!!! After umpteen "best of" compilations doing nothing but recycling the same pop sellout songs we at long last get a reissue of some of Dolly Parton's more compelling early work - and not a moment too soon!

Kicking off with the title track, which is one of the best country songs ever, this reissued, remastered album is a superb showcase for the talent that originally put Parton on the map. Forget the image she has cultivated over the past twenty years or so. This is genuinely moving songwriting, beautifully sung and exquisitely produced. Let us hope that with the reissue BMG is FINALLY putting to rest the four gajillion compilations with "Here You Come Again," "Islands In The Stream," and the woefully over exposed "I Will Always Love You," and will give us more reissued of Parton's back country catalog.

Rolling Stone magazine named this album last year as one of the top 100 greatest albums of all time by any artist in any genre. Heavily regarded by many critics and Dolly fans as one of the top 3 albums in her career, "Coat of Many Colors" is simply a standout. This collection comes with new liner notes, recorded dates of the song sessions, beautiful repackaging of the original LP art, and 4 new songs never released, with the exception of "Just as Good as Gone" that was a rare single B-side released back in 1972. A must have for any music fan. The rare Dolly pictures too are the most glamorous I have ever seen of Dolly Parton.

This album harkens back to a time in the not too distant past when country music was NOT dominated by suburban guys in cowboy hats, and pop diva wannabes. Simple, elegant, and heartbreaking, these are the kind of songs that have stood the test of time and will continue to be remembered. The title track alone is worth the purchase of this CD, but the rest of it is no slouch either. Those who have owned previous editions of this album will want to get this one for the superior remastered sound, those who haven't will want it for the sheer beauty of its artistry.

COAT OF MANY COLORS is the first solo album of Dolly Parton, released in October 1971. The CD presents already seven songs composed by Dolly. The song that gives its name to the CD - " Coat of Many Colors " - has become a classic and is truly a little masterpiece partly because one feels that Dolly Parton has put in it a bit of her own blood. Other all-time classics include such songs as " Traveling Man ", " My Blue Tears " and " Here I Am ".

It's astonishing to see how Dolly Parton already masters in her first album the sweet ballads as " Early Morning Breeze " as well as the gospel style for " Here I Am ". In comparison, the three songs composed by her mentor at that time - Porter Wagoner - look very pale if not slightly ridiculous like " The Mystery of the Mystery " . One can also regret that the producers of this BUDDHA and BMG re-release didn't judge necessary to print the texts of the songs nor the names of the great musicians who were behind Dolly Parton during the recordings. A little respect doesn't cost a lot.

A CD for a Dolly future fan.