(August 2020) Episode 277 is DOLLY PARTON. Dolly is an institution. Beyond her success as an entertainer, businesswoman and philanthropist, my take-away here is her strength as a song-writer. I find her best work comes from the heart, grounded in her East Tennessee roots. Thus I prefer her songs inflected with bluegrass and Appalachian folk, or featuring lyrics from personal experience. Her voice can carry any song, although I admit to cringing when she’s doing pompadoured kitch with Porter Wagoner, pop crossovers, or flag-wrapped patriotic fare.
Favorite album: Little Sparrow
Favorite song: Early Morning Breeze
Favorite periods: early 70s solo, bluegrass trilogy 99-02
Least favorite period: late 70s-80s pop phase
Worst album: For God and Country (a blast of Iraq War jingoism)
Oddest cover: Stairway to Heaven (yes, that one)
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 