Dolly Parton-The Very Best Of

Record Label: Sony/BMG

Year: 2007

Track Listing:
01. 9 To 5
02. I Will Always Love You
03. Islands In The Stream
04. Jolene
05. Coat of Many Colors
06. My Tennessee Mountain Home
07. Here You Come Again
08. Baby I'm Burning
09. Love Is Like a Butterfly
10. Bargain Store
11. Potential New Boyfriend
12. Everything's Beautiful (In It's Own Way) - Willie Nelson,
13. Silver Threads and Golden Needles - Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette
14. To Know Him Is to Love Him - Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt
15. Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That
16. Romeo
17. Tennessee Homesick Blues
18. Dumb Blonde
19. Applejack
20. Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You

With an artist such as Dolly Parton, who has performed well over 3000 songs, and had hit after hit, how do you manage to release a Very Best Of, and choose simply the best without disappointing fans?

Well, in Parton’s case, it would seem you release a Greatest Hits/Best of every couple of years and hope that it satisfies the fan. Already owning three Parton compilation, I was interested to see whether or not this Very Best Of would be any different from the others.

This time around I was pleasantly surprised, as the album does span her long career and capture the essence of the country singer.
Obviously on each Best of there are going to be the songs that are almost a requisite such as 'Jolene', and '9 To 5' and 'Coat Of Many Colors', but then you get the hidden treasures such as Parton’s first hit 'Dumb Blonde'.

Tracks such as 'Coat of Many Colors', 'I Will Always Love You'and 'Jolene' capture the writing talents of a singer, who has penned nearly every song that she has written.

'To Know Him Is To Love Him', 'Romeo' and 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles'shows that Dolly’s talents at harmonising, and see her team up with other country legends such as Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Linda Ronstadt during the 80’s.

This time the album also showcases tracks such as 'Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You', 'Applejack' and 'Potential New Boyfriend'- all tracks I had never heard before, and loved from the beginning. They were pure Dolly through and through.

Like all Greatest Hits, there are going to be the die-hard fans who will grumble about what should or should not have been on this album. That’s fair enough, but for new comers of the brilliance that is Dolly, this is a nice treat and introduces them to not just her bigger hits, but some of her older songs.

The album also defines the ups and downs that have come with Dolly’s music, and how she has managed to rise against all odds, and still be the most recognized female country singer of all time.

Tracks not to miss: 'Baby I’m Burnin', 'Islands In The Stream', 'Potential New Boyfriend', 'Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That' and 'Coat Of Many Colors'.

I give the album 3/5

Buy The Very Best Of

Official Site