|
|
 |
The inaugural release on her own Dolly Records finds the ever-mercurial Dolly Parton moving away from the bluegrass/acoustic-oriented sound she explored on her albums for the Sugar Hill label from 1999 to 2005. Never content to stay in one place, she traverses a wide array of styles on BACKWOODS BARBIE. Opening track "Better Get to Livin'" has an anthemic, contemporary-country feel that's overtly radio-friendly. The jazzy, piano-flecked "The Lonesomes" adds an easy swing to the proceedings. "I Will Forever Hate Roses" and "Made of Stone" offer proof that Dolly still has a way with a good old country ballad.
While most of the tunes on BACKWOODS BARBIE (including the incisive, autobiographical title track) come from Parton's own pen, she shows her customary flair for covers as well, lending a surprising folk-pop flavor to the Fine Young Cannibals' '80s dance-pop hit "She Drives Me Crazy" and putting a touch of twang into Smokey Robinson's classic soul ballad "Tracks of My Tears." Even in her sixties, the country icon shows no signs of settling into a rut.
Audio Remasterers: Alex McCullogh; Jim DeMain.
Recording information: Blackbird Studios, Nashville, TN; Emerald Studio A; Kent Wells Productions; Sound Kitchen.
Editors: Kyle Dickinson; Brian Willis; Patrick Murphy.
Photographer: Kii Arens.
Arranger: Kent Wells.
Personnel: Dolly Parton (vocals, background vocals); Kent Wells (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Tom Bukovac (guitar, electric guitar); Paul Franklin (guitar, steel guitar); Biff Watson, Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Derek Wells, Jerry McPherson, Rob McNelley, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Lloyd Green, Terry Crisp (steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie, Jimmy Mattingly (mandolin, fiddle); Connie Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Carolyn Bailey, Zeneba Bowers, Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Janet Askey (violin); Christopher Farrell, Jim Grosjean, Monisa Angell, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Kirsten Cassell, Anthony LaMarchina, Sarighani Reist, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen (cello); John Mock (tin whistle, harmonium, bodhran); Paul Hollowell (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Lonnie Wilson, Steve Turner (drums, percussion); Sam Bacco (percussion); Jennifer O'Brien, Darrin Vincent, Jamie Johnson, Alecia Nugent, Rhonda Vincent, Sonya Isaacs, Terry Eldredge, Vicki Hampton, Richard Dennison, Marty Slayton, Carl Jackson (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Drew Bollman; Justin Niebank.
Entertainment Weekly (p.94) - "There's a nice middle grond here between her crossover ambitions and mountain-mama classicism." -- Grade: B+
Dirty Linen (p.66) - "With her sultry mountain soprano backed by top-notch Nashville session players....Parton resumes her place atop country music's hierarchy."
Paste (magazine) (p.69) - "[I]t does showcase Parton at her most comfortable -- masterfully blurring the line between country and pop."
Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie Songs
| 1 | Better Get To Livin' See All 2 | | | |
| 2 | Made Of Stone | | | |
| 3 | Drives Me Crazy  | | | |
| 4 | Backwoods Barbie See All 2 | | | |
| 5 | Jesus & Gravity See All 2 | | | |
| 6 | Only Dreamin' See All 2 | | | |
| 7 | Tracks Of My Tears | | | |
| 8 | Lonesomes | | | |
| 9 | Cologne | | | |
| 10 | Shinola See All 2 | | | |
| 11 | I Will Forever Hate Roses | | | |
| 12 | Somebody's Everything | | | |
Backwoods Barbie Music Review
Average Rating: (4.9 out of 5 stars)    List All 22 Reviews Great CD!
It's good to have Dolly back where she belongs. The acoustic/bluegrass recordings were great, but it's nice to hear Dolly mixing a bunch of different sounds onto one cd again! A must have!
Submitted by Michael (Paterson, NJ)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 3 of 3 found this helpful.  A lesson in country
After her highly acclaimed bluegrass albums over the last decade, Dolly has decided to "return to country" with the release of Backwoods Barbie.
This is a strong album with some excellent songs. Top picks are Better Get To Livin', Jesus To Gravity, The Lonesomes (so different to what she normally does but my personal favourite) and the beautiful Only Dreamin'
No doubt this album will be ignored by radio, which is a real shame because songs this good deserve to be heard. You can't help thinking that if a "radio friendly" artist released this album it would be massive. But then no-one but Dolly could deliver the songs this way.
Not quite the best album of her career but certainly in the top 3.
Submitted by Dale (Wiltshire, ENGLAND)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful.
Backwoods SuperStar
One of Dolly's Best CD's!!!
Great mixture of music and lyrics. I love this CD.
Submitted by tek1230 (Chattanooga, TN)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful. Simply the BEST
Grrrrrrrrrrreat!!!!!! Dolly Parton's new cd is in a league all it's own. Thank you Dolly, for all the wonderful talent you've shared with us through the years. You just keep getting better!!
Submitted by blountrd1 (Riceville, TN.)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful. Dolly's Still Got It!!!!!
Backwoods Barbie is one of Dolly's most exciting albums in years. The album is a great mix of new songs which exhibits many of Dolly's various music styles that we have all come to love over the years. Stand out tunes include Better Get to Livin', Jesus and Gravity and Backwoods Barbie (from the upcoming Broadway musical 9 to 5).
Submitted by RRECTOR (Chicago, IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful. List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
Buy Backwoods Barbie CD
 | | 9 to 5
Masterprint
Price: $9.99 |  | | 9 to 5
Framed Art Print
Price: $29.99 |
Purchase Backwoods Barbie CD
To buy, Click on price to add to cart
|
|
|
|
|
Share this Product