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Bottom Line:

What an incredible album, but that is no surprise considering it is from Dolly Parton. Her talent is undeniable and her voice is amazing. Debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard country charts and Number 17 overall, this album is an absolute must have for any Dolly fan. Anyone who appreciates country music will enjoy this album in their collection.

Parton's career has spanned almost five decades since heading for Nashville the day after graduation.


She has won numerous awards for her music, becoming the most honored female country performer of all time. She's also a very savvy business woman with several business enterprises including a theme park, a film and television production company and Dinner Attractions. Her writing is a major part of her career and she says her songs are the door to every dream she's ever had and every success she's ever achieved.

Early in her career she established Velvet Apple Music (BMI) and owns the copyrights and publishing for her incredible song empire. Along with her many business ventures, she is also very much involved in giving back to the people where she grew up. The Dollywood Foundation was established in 1988 and it funds the Dolly Parton Imagination Library across America and in Canada, by giving every preschool child a book each month from the time he or she is born until the child reaches kindergarten. The program has expanded from her home community to over 800 communities in 41 states.

And through it all, she has continued to make great music that entertains her legion of fans.

Backwoods Barbie is Dolly Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years and it is as if she never went away. Her voice is timeless and so unique that there is never a question as to who the artist is when the music starts playing.

Of the 12 tracks on the album, Parton penned eight of them. She co-wrote the first single, "Better Get to Livin'" with Kent Wells, and it talks about how you choose to live your life. You can go around wishing everything was different and moan about what is happening or you can take what you are given and make it work. Life is far too short to let it pass you by.

As always, she has chosen songs that are not only fun to listen to, but they also have a great message in the lyrics. I really enjoyed the album from start to finish and there are no 'filler' songs.

"Backwoods Barbie" was one of my favorites and is autobiographical for Parton. It talks about growing up poor and wanting to be pretty like one of the models in the Fredrick's Catalog or Barbie. So when she grew up, she liked the big hair, lots of makeup and flashy clothes. And she warns to not judge by the cover because she may look like a backwoods Barbie, but you may be surprised at what is inside.

She goes for the high lonesome blues sound with "The Lonesomes." I can just hear Hank Williams singing that one. "Jesus & Gravity" is also one of my favorites. She is very comfortable with who she is and says that all she needs to keep her feet on the ground is Jesus and gravity.

This album is a real treat to have. She has mixed up the songs to keep the album fresh and fun to listen to all the way through. You will find everything from serious and introspective to fun and upbeat. Dolly Parton is truly a timeless talent.

Release date: February 26, 2008 - Dolly Records

Song List:

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