Customer Reviews

Precious Memories

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Truly a great reissue on CD. Dolly chose to record these beautiful and
well-known hymns with a more modern arrangement.
Perhaps its not like some would want to hear it but this more 'swinging style'
(like the songs "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder and
"Church in the Wildwood") does make it appealing to a bigger audience.
I like it much and would recommend this to everyone.

"Precious Memories" is a gem of an album. I always thought Dolly Parton should create an album of religious tunes, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that she already has!

I disagree with pretty much everything KLweb said below. The arrangements of these songs are beautiful. I wondered if Dolly would record them like we've always heard them, or do her own thing with it. What we as listeners get is a perfect blend of both. Dolly's arrangements are original and contemporary, but do not stray from the classic gospel songs that we've all come to know and love.

I am personally glad Dolly decided to venture out and create her own arrangements of these songs. The last thing I really wanted to hear were tired, overwrought southern gospel arrangements that I've heard done by dozens of other singers.

From the bluegrass sounds of "There Is Power In The Blood" to the gorgeous title track to the classic gospel anthem "Old Time Religion" to a wonderful arrangement of "Amazing Grace" to the quiet, reflexive "In The Sweet By And By," these songs sparkle with heart and talented musicians.

I hope to hear more sacred songs from Dolly in the future, and I only wish this album was more widely available, but I am glad Dolly chose to do this as a benefit album for the Dollywood Foundation. I hope the proceeds have touched many people like the songs have touched me.

It took Dolly Parton 28 years to finally record another gospel album, her first being the 1971 blockbuster "The Golden Streets of Glory" for RCA Records. In this outing Dolly records religious songs written entirely by others, so there are no Dolly originals. Still, "Precious Memories" is a great record and features some amazing vocals.

Highlights here include "In The Sweet By and By', "Amazing Grace", "Power In The Blood", and my personal favorite "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".

"Precious Memories" was never sold commercially (it has only been sold at "Dollywood") so this makes the album a collector's item and has been proven to be a little hard-to-find by Dolly fans. Dolly recorded the album to benefit her successful Dollywood Foundation and it never charted on Billboard.

I got it recently at Dollywood. I love it! I love to hear here and here family sing together. They sound so beautiful!!!!!

With the long list of well-loved gospel oldies on this CD, I was sorely disappointed in its musical arrangement. Dolly grew up with this music,as did I, but it was presented in a totally different style than one is used to hearing. Too much percussion and vocal chorus and not enough stringed instruments, and the way in which the songs were sung was uninspiring spiritually. I enjoy Dolly's voice and much of her music, but this one, for me, was disappointing.
To each his own, I know that there are some who will like this style, but I could not even bring myself to listen to each song all the way through.
Old gospel country/bluegrass sounds best sung the way it used to be. But again, there are some who would probably find no fault with this CD.