The Essential Dolly Parton

Personnel include: Dolly Parton (vocals); Emmylou Harris, Kenny Rogers, Porter Wagoner, Ricky Van Shelton, Linda Ronstadt (vocals). Liner Note Author: Holly George-Warren. Recording information:1966 - 2000. One of the most successful and versatile artists in country music, Dolly Parton is a true icon of the genre. With a recording career spanning more than four decades, Parton epitomized country, while always venturing into other territories, including pop and bluegrass. Columbia/Legacy's THE ESSENTIAL DOLLY PARTON (not to be confused with othersimilarly titled compilations) begins with the striking performer flaunting her charmingly assertive nature with 1966's rollicking "Dumb Blonde, " and proceeds in chronological fashion through Parton'sslew of '70s hits, including the gentle, folk-like "Coat of Many Colors" and the gorgeous 1974 version of "I Will Always Love You. " (The latter two songs, like many on this collection, were written by Parton herself. )Parton's hits from the late '70s, '80s, and beyond continue on the second disc. Runaway '80s hits "9to 5" (from the titular film starring Parton) and "Islands in the Stream" (her Bees Gees-penned duet with Kenny Rogers) represent her commercial peak, but the remaining latter-day songs reveal that Parton's talents--particularly her distinctive high, clear voice--were still goingstrong into the 2000s (most notably on her bluegrass rendition of Collective Soul's rock hit, "Shine"). For those looking for the best overview of Parton's career, this 37-track set is it.

Track Listing

• Disc 1
• • 1 dumb blonde
  • 2 just because i'm a woman
  • 3 my blue ridge mountain boy
  • 4 mule skinner blues (blue yodel no. 8)
  • 5 joshua
  • 6 coat of many colors
  • 7 touch your woman
  • 8 my tennessee mountain home
  • 9 jolene
  • 10 please don't stop loving me
  • 11 i will always love you
  • 12 love is like a butterfly
  • 13 the bargain store
  • 14 the seeker
  • 15 we used to
  • 16 all i can do
  • 17 light of a clear blue morning
  • 18 it's all wrong, but it's all right
• Disc 2
• • 1 here you come again
  • 2 two doors down
  • 3 heartbreaker
  • 4 i really got the feeling
  • 5 you're the only one
  • 6 starting over again
  • 7 old flames can't hold a candle to you
  • 8 9 to 5 [from 9 to 5]
  • 9 but you know i love you
  • 10 single women
  • 11 heartbreak express
  • 12 islands in the stream
  • 13 save the last dance for me
  • 14 tennessee homesick blues [from rhineston
  • 15 god won't get you [from rhinestone]
  • 16 to know him is to love him
  • 17 why'd you come in here lookin' like that
  • 18 rockin' years
  • 19 shine