CD Review
Artist: Dolly Parton
Title: Backwoods Barbie
Label: Universal Music
Released: February 26^th, 2008

5 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Perhaps people think you have to be either a drag queen or knee deep in camp to love Dolly Parton, but I think you have to have a strength of spirit, a truth of heart, and a good sense of personal humour. Of course I would think that, I've always loved Dolly! Who wouldn't? The woman has made a successful and long career on her own terms, she has remained married to the same man since 1966, she is a savvy business woman and has the best advice to give ("It takes a lot of money to look this cheap," and "Honey, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain").

Dolly has also managed to be in a variety of films (Steel Magnolias, 9to5), have her number one country hit turn into a number one world hit sung by Whitney Houston, produce Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and was up for an Oscar as recently as 2006 ("Travelin' Through," Transamerica). She even has a theme park called Dollywood! I was the only eight year old in England who knew the whole dialogue to Best Little Whorehouse In Texas and can still remember skits from her Butterfly TV Show. If you haven't discovered what a phenomenal woman Dolly is yet, perhaps it is time to; after all, she has inspired the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, and Shania Twain. If you know how talented she really is, call up your local radio station and request a track from Backwoods Barbie, her newest album.    

If anyone has been unfazed by fame its Dolly Parton; her self-deprecating humour and earthy wisdom still shines through her Backwoods Barbie collection. Dolly does a cover of Smokey Robinson's "The Tracks Of My Tears" and a brilliant rendition of "Drives Me Crazy" from The Fine Young Cannonballs. However, Dolly's best songs are from her own perspective and "Made Of Stone," "Backwoods Barbie," "Jesus & Gravity" and "Shinola" are dynamic tracks to add to the Dolly collection. "Only Dreamin'" is a harmonious ballad with a bluesy blue-grass appeal intertwined with a little classic violin in the background. Her "Better Get To Livin'" is a triumphant inspirational anthem, whereas songs like "Cologne," "I Will Forever Hate Roses," and "Somebody's Everything" are embedded in what Dolly seems to do best, sing about heartache and hope.

I couldn't live with myself if I gave Dolly Parton anything less than five stars; she made me cry for the first time at a song ("Sandy's Song"), she made me melancholy, hopeful and sometimes even at peace with all the songs she has sung. She taught me about the trials of love before I arrived at them myself and she taught me to always remain true to myself; oh and when all else fails, look for the humour in almost any situation. At the end of the day, sequins or not, you have to admit that Dolly Parton is a classy woman, and like a fine wine, she just seems to get better with age.

1. Better Get to Livin'
2. Made of Stone
3. Drives Me Crazy
4. Backwoods Barbie
5. Jesus & Gravity
6. Only Dreamin'
7. The Tracks of My Tears
8. The Lonesomes
9. Cologne
10. Shinola
11. I Will Forever Hate Roses
12. Somebody's Everything