Halos & Horns

Dolly Parton

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B000066TPL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,360 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Like many musicians profoundly moved by the events of September 11, Dolly Parton reacted to the tragedy by going inward and forging a spiritual journey through songwriting. As usual, the subjects from which she draws the greatest strength are the ones that have buoyed her throughout her career--the Deity, to whom she talks directly in the searching "Hello, God," and the mythology of the mountains, best exemplified in "These Old Bones," a fascinating piece of backwoods lore, even as Parton's impersonation of an ancient fortune teller turns grating. Yet the songs on Halos & Horns carry a subtext, too, that of the perpetual struggle between right and wrong, temptation and redemption, and heaven and hell. Longtime Parton fans will recognize that thematic tug from her earliest work, just as they will hear a return to her more primitive, pre-'80s sound. While the singer, who produced the record herself using both Nashville and East Tennessee musicians, reprises several tunes ("Shattered Image," "What a Heartache") from her catalog to give them an acoustic, bluegrassy treatment, she is not without her surprises. Chief among them: "Raven Dove," a powerful, almost biblical prophesy of a Second Coming, and a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," which Parton slightly rewrote to give it more personal and apocalyptic verve. If the thought of that brings a smile to your face, just wait: one spin through it, and you'll be down on your knees. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dolly's done it again, August 14, 2002

By	"gemini_j" (Canada) - See all my reviews

Dolly Parton has had a slew of creative success behind her past few albums, so its no surprise once again she's turned in a commanding performance on HALOS AND HORNS her newest offering. The album opens with the title track, which has excellent harmony vocals. The album has interesting concepts, for one she covers two well known songs: Bread's "If" and Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven". As well two of her own past hits get retreatment, "What a Heartache" and "Shattered Image". The remaining 10 songs are all brand new, and some of her most inspired. "Hello God" recalls 9/11 and offers peace, "These Old Bones" has Dolly role playing, "I'm Gone" is a fun quirky leave-your-man kind of song. The album's first single and video is "Dagger Through the Heart", and Dolly does heartbreak well. Overall HALOS AND HORNS is another winner, so be sure to add it to your collection.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dolly at her best, July 14, 2002

By	James (Lavergne, TN United States) - See all my reviews

I must say this album blew me away. I listened to the first track "Halos and Horns" and had to play it again. I did that on every song, and thought I'm never going to get to the end of this album cause it's all so good. I think I played "Hello God" three times. When I finally finished the cd I was amazed at it's depth. It made me laugh on "These Old Bones" and "I'm Gone". I nearly cried on "Hello God" and "Not for Me". I got chills on "Raven Dove" and "Stairway to Heaven," which is a standout as "Shine" was on the awesome Little Sparrow released last year. If this project doesn't award her another grammy I will be shocked. Halos and Horns incorporates the splendor of Hungry Again, Heartsongs, The Grass is Blue and Little Sparrow all into one disc. Dolly's vocals are breathtaking as she soars over the bluegrass, gospel and traditional country numbers with ease. "Dagger Through the Heart" is Dolly at her vocal best. This disc far surpasses Oh Brother Where Art Thou and also tops her last two masterpieces. I've lisened to this cd so much in the last six days, and I love it even more now. This is the best country or bluegrass cd in a long time. I rank it as her best work and that is saying a lot as I have loved her since the early 80's.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Golly Miss Dolly!, July 11, 2002

By	Bryan Emler (Ohio) - See all my reviews

After 35 years in the business and over 50 albums to her credit, Dolly Parton comes up with one of the best albums of her career with her latest release, "HALOS AND HORNS". Not being a huge fan of bluegrass, I was totally blown away by this record. The haunting vocals, superior songwriting, and outstanding musical arrangements on this CD, combine to create on wicked CD! As the CD plays on, you totally forget that you are listening to bluegrass! Few artists are able to accomplish this feat.

Dolly really shows off her songwriting and vocal ability on the stand-out track "These Old Bones". What begins as a humorous novelty song, soon takes a tragic turn and Dolly delivers a powerhouse performance with some purpose. This story song is very reminicent of her earlier works like "Me And Little Andy", "Joshua", and "The Coat Of Many Colors".

Dolly also proves that she is not afraid to cover some of the most popular songs in pop culture, by tackling Led Zepplin's "Stairway To Heaven" and Bread's "If". Not only is Dolly fearless with these two tracks, she delivers versions that I find superior to the originals.

It doesn't take long for Dolly to show her horns and sense of humor on this particular CD. With the tracks "Sugar Hill" and "I'm Gone", you get vintage Dolly Parton, performing songs that will surely put a smile on your face!

Never failing to show her spiritual side, Ms. Parton rounds out this collection with the musically sound and lyricly beautiful tracks "Hello God" and "Raven Dove". If you've ever liked Dolly Parton and purchased one of her records, now is the time to re-discover her all over again. You will NOT be disappointed.