Customer Reviews

For God & Country

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I absolutely love Dolly Parton from the old stuff right on up through Halos & Horns, and that's why I laid down my money for this one. Everything Dolly touches turns to gold, and though I was a little hesitant about the patriotic cover songs, I know she has the ability to turn overplayed songs into something beautiful (i.e. Stairway to Heaven on Halos & Horns), and I was sure this would be no exception. Sadly, this is the cheesiest bunch of crap I've heard in a long time. The USO style of the album complete with canned laughter and hokey jokes is actually painful to listen to considering what I'm used to hearing from Dolly. I know she loves God and is very patriotic, but I'm not accustomed to commercialism being her style. I'm sure this album could have gotten the same message across and been something truly beautiful, but unfortunately it has failed miserably. 'Light of a Clear Blue Morning,' 'Welcome Home' and the remake of the gospel song 'There Will Peace In The Valley For Me' are the only tracks that make me give this album even one star. I hope this is just a temporary leave of absence from the talent I've grown to expect from Dolly, and that her next offering will more along the lines of her last few albums. As for anyone still wanting to buy this album after my scathing review, I'd be more than happy to sell you my copy at a much reduced price...

This CD is great. I love the songs on it and am amazed at the range of emotions that they could stir up.
Regardless of your stance on war or anything like that, this CD is a great collection of patriotic songs that remind us all of the freedoms that we enjoy and have access to.
The record is done in a funny and personal way (USO Style some will say) with canned laughter and corny jokes...but for some reason it works!
I was truly moved by "The Star Spangled Banner" and "The Ballad of the Green Berets" while on the other hand, some songs made me laugh out loud. I especially loved the song "Gee Ma I Wanna Come Home" in which Dolly pokes fun a Saddam , Osama and her "weapons of mass destruction." This song is an old camp song from which a million verses can be added or made up.
One of my favorite tracks is "Red White and Bluegrass" it is infused with a sense of foot-stompin' good fun and old fashioned patriotism. Nicely Done.
All in all, this album is great, and it comes to us from one of the premier singer/song-writers in any generation. It is an excellent addition to ANY library of music and a must have for those serving in the military and their families. Good work. Red White and Blue...these are my true colors...

I'm glad Dolly did this! Very uplifting at a time when it's needed. This material has a subtle charm that is all Dolly and is a very good listen!

I have been a fan of Dolly's since 1981. I love her so much as an artist. This album is the most unique blend of gospel and patriotic numbers ever. I'm mesmerized by Dolly's vocals on this album. No one can sing like this and she's 57. The bottom line...this album is annointed. I got chills listening to the gospel songs. My favorites are The Lord Is My Sheperd, God Bless America, Light of a Clear Blue Morning, Peace in the Valley, Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home (hilarious), I'm Gonna miss you. Color Me America should become a standard. I think my absolute favorite is Go to Hell. Dolly becomes a singing evagelist. Her voice is so perfect for this song. I hope this album does really well...cause it is one of her best. If radio will give some of these songs a chance, I know she could have some big hits. Many hurting people will be touched by Dolly's voice and lyrics in a special way. Everyone that felt the pain of September 11th should own this album. It covers every emotion felt. Thank you Dolly for releasing another album full of creative genious.

This album is very touching. Some of it is different with Dolly talking between each song, but it works. One can tell that Dolly wanted to do this project and leave it for all American's to enjoy. If you can't find at least 2 songs to enjoy on this CD, then one has to wonder if you are a true fan of Dolly or her original music. The songs she has written for this CD is a testiment to why she is in the National Songwriters Hall of Fame.

After years of pandering to the commercial market, Dolly Parton found herself on a streak of making some of the best music of her career. Her bluegrass effort "The Grass is Blue" and it's more mountain oriented follow-up "Little Sparrow" were beautiful, heart touching music. Full of life, passion, and a genuiness so sadly missing from much of the music world today. Her last album "Halos and Horns" wasn't as good as those two, but it retained her efforts at making music that was true to who she is.

Unfortunately that streak is over. No matter how sincere Patron may be, with this album she comes across as little more than an opportunist, trying to cash in on recent world events. To a certain extent that would not be quite as obvious if the versions of the songs here were any good, but aside form a few of the gospel numbers and, perhaps, "Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home" which is at least fun for one of two spins, there is little here that doesn't just end up sounding like one big old cliche and we all know that, when she is at her best, Parton is capable of so much more.

The spiritual songs on this album are actually pretty good. patron's voice is in fine form, and the instrumentation compliments the overall arrangements very well. The "patriotic" songs however are a different matter. There is little imagination in either their selection or their production and the canned laughter and cornball humor only underscore that. Overall, this one is not a particularly good addition to the Parton catalog and a deep disappointment for those of us so enthralled by her return to her roots she has been doing over the past few years.

Ok not all of the album is great but most of it is!
And First Things First DOLLY IS NOT CASHING IN ON THE WAR!
She is doing this because she has always wanted to do a patriotic
album and now was a good time to do it. She even had it planned out before the Sept 11 Attacks.
BUT Without dollys songs on this album this CD Would have been a pure failer!
Anyways now on to the music.

The Lord is my sheperd (C+) is not that bad I only listen to the first verse of the song and skip the rest of the talking.
Star Spangled Banner (B+) is nice with dollys strong vocals it seems as if it was her own song
God Bless The USA (I)Is a problem It is far overproduced Just like all the other modern country music today. But She holds a long note at the end
Light Of A Clear Blue Morning (B-) is pretty good but the introduction at the beggining is so annoying when you relay the song over and over again
When Johnny Comes Marching Home (A-) Is one of the better songs on the album. It was Re-aranged by dolly and has a second verse written by dolly
Welcome Home (A+)Is even better
Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home (A-) Is the funniest song on the album. She tells jokes about her two secret weapons of mass destraction "shock 'n all" And it has 2 new verses about sadam and his mother, it his halarios
Whispering Hope (A) Is pretty amazing I have never heard dolly's voice go that high and sound that way before
There will be peace in the valley for me (B+)
Red White And Bluegrass (A-) Is good foot stomping fun and it's written by dolly. But it sounds alot better when she sings it live!
My Country Tiss (I OR F) I hate to be so mean to this song but not all of it works out. Sorry but the beggining for some reason is the best part and slowly turns into a mess at the end
Im Gonna Miss You (A+)Is one of the most sad songs dolly has ever written. I also love the arangements to it
Go To Hell (B) A True Standout
Ballad Of The Green Beret (A-)Is A Good Song But I Cant Think Of Anything To Say About The Song exept for the haunting ending and the once again annoying intro to the song
Brave Little Soldier (A++++) MY ABSOLUTE FAVEORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM! It sounds so sad, so alone, so haunting, so erie, so happy all at the same time. And yes it was written by dolly.
Tie A Yellow Ribbon (A+) I never actually though that this song would work in a bluegrass version but it dose and the results are great
Color Me America (A) Another True standout written by dolly. and she holds a couple long notes in the song

Overall Its A Good Album but not as good as her greatest work ever: HALOS AND HORNS, LITTLE SPARROW, THE GRASS IS BLUE, HUNGRY AGAIN.

So I Would Recomend it to almost anyone who likes great music
I also recomend LIVE AND WELL and her new release THOSE WERE THE DAYS!

There is no denying that Dolly Parton has genuine talent, but it is such a shame that she, so often, wastes it on uninspired stuff like this CD which is clearly her least interesting collection of music since she began her return to her roots with 1998's "Hungry Again."

Most of these songs have been done so much that they are bordering on becoming cliches. Sure, Dolly's voice makes these songs listenable, but they aren't particularly exciting. Here's hoping that this is just a quick detour on Dolly's road back to her home.

After "Hungry Again," "The Grass Is Blue," "Little Sparrow," and "Halos & Horns," an amazing burst of creativity in her last four original releases, Dolly gets thematically patriotic in "For God & Country." She wears the same outfit she had on for the 2003 4th of July celebration at the Capitol in Washington D.C. She looks and sounds as great as ever. The long talking introductions somewhat distracted for me for repeated listening. However, a couple of these tracks sound better than I've ever heard them. "My Country 'Tis," her version of "My Country Tis of Thee," is energetic and bubbles with Gary Davis' bluegrass banjo. It's an amazingly joyful ditty. I also thoroughly enjoy Dolly's dusting of Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler's 1966 hit, "Ballad of the Green Beret." Its march-like percussion and beautiful melody are made to shine with Dolly's careful rendering. Dolly's updating of "Gee, Ma, I Wanna Go Home" with Sadam lyrics is a hoot. Dolly's "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" that was on her 1977 "New Harvest...First Gathering" set is done well here and fits well into the theme. Like few entertainers, Dolly has the ability to touch our hearts and inspire us even in the most difficult times. Enjoy!