Jolene

Dolly Parton | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: April 3, 2007
• Label: RLG/Legacy
• Copyright: (P) 1973, 1974, 2007 BMG Music
• Total Length: 36:59
• Genres:
• ASIN: B00138KGHA
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,033 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mid-70s Parton hitting her country commercial peak, April 4, 2007

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jolene (Audio CD)

By the mid-70s, Parton had emerged from Porter Wagoner's shadow to redefine herself as a powerhouse solo artist. This 1974 release, her first solo LP to crack the top-10, includes the chart-topping title track, as well as the original version of Parton's farewell to Porter Wagoner, "I Will Always Love You." The title track, covered by others (including a superb bluegrass version by Rhonda Vincent), is best heard in this original form.

"I Will Always Love You" is closely associated among film viewers and MTV watchers with Whitney Houston, but Parton's original, aching with conflicting strength, vulnerability, fragility and resolution outstrips both Houston's remake, and Parton's own reworking for the film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." The song was so strong that all three versions - Houston's and two from Parton - topped the charts!

The album's eight additional tunes, six from Parton, one from Wagoner, and one from Blaise Tosti ("It Must Be You") have tamer themes that those explored on earlier Parton LP's like "Coat of Many Colors," but no less heartfelt. Parton's emancipation from Wagoner would lead her to industry honors (including CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in '75 and '76), Hollywood and crossover success, but the mid-70s found her in full flower of solo aristry as a country singer-songwriter.

Buddha's 1999 reissue of this title was a straight-up 10 track, 25-minute disc. RCA/Legacy expands on the original with a quartet of bonus tracks from the 1974 sessions, bringing the playing time to 37 minutes. It's surprising that a track like "Cracker Jack," a loving song of a childhood pet, was lost in Parton's catalog. Though she "Another Woman's Man" (a reflection of "Jolene") and the tangy day-dreaming "Last Night's Lovin'" remained unreleased, and "Barbara on Your Mind" was reworked on Parton's 1982's "Heartbreak Express" LP. All four are worthwhile additions.

Legacy's new reissue (along with accompanying versions of "My Tennessee Mountain Home" and "Coat of Many Colors") fills out the packaging with newly struck liner notes by Chet Flippo and chart and session information missing from the earlier Buddha version. This is an essential entry in Parton's catalog, and even those who own the earlier CD reissue should consider upgrading for the bonus tracks and new booklet. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine example of Parton's earlier work, December 11, 2001

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jolene (Audio CD)

Buddha's 1999 reissue of Parton's 1974 LP is a straight-up presentation of the original ten tracks. Clocking in at under 25 minutes, this may seem like a sampler rather than a full album in today's 78-minute CD world, but what's here is vintage pre-Hollywood Dolly. In addition to the chart-topping title track, the original version of her farewell to Porter Wagoner, "I Will Always Love You," is awe-inspiring. In contrast to Whitney Houston's overblown remake (and Parton's own oversung reworking), the original is a perfect record, filled with strength, vulnerability, fragility and resolution that culminate in heartbreak all around.

The remaining eight tracks, six from Parton, one from Wagoner, and one from Blaise Tosti ("It Must Be You") are a bit tamer than the topics explored on "Coat of Many Colors" (Buddha's other 1999 reissue), but no less heartfelt. Parton's emancipation from Wagoner would eventually lead her to Hollywood and crossover success, but in the mid-70s she was at the full flower of her first go-round as a pure country singer-songwriter.

Buddha's reissue was an essential buy upon its arrival in 1999, and one for which Parton fans should be grateful. At this point, however, BMG's 2001 pairing of this title with 1975's "My Tennessee Mountain Home" (which is otherwise unavailable on CD) offers twice the music (plus a bonus track) for a few dollars more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her Roots, March 24, 2001

By 

"gemini_j" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jolene (Audio CD)

Jolene is where Dolly's roots are, it was that era where some of her most memorable music came from, this cd being no exception whatsoever. This is pure gold. There are classics on this cd such as Jolene, the original version of I Will ALways Love You, Lonely Comin Down, and other memorable songs lik River of Happiness, Early Morning Breeze, and It Must Be You. All the songs are winners. This is a must have, and a great place for new fans of Dolly to start their collection. Go out and get it if you already havent!