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VARIOUS ARTISTS
Just Because I'm A Woman - Songs Of Dolly Parton
(Sugar Hill)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
People have had a lot of fun with Dolly Parton's image over the years, probably no one more than Dolly herself. If there's been an unfortunate side effect, though, it's been the tendency for people to forget that beyond the wigs, eyelashes and five inch heels there's been one of the best songwriters, in country music or any other style, that American music has had to offer in recent decades. That's the part of Dolly that comes through on this album, though, as a dozen women gather to pay tribute to her talent through their own versions of songs ranging from her earliest efforts to her recent bluegrass explorations.
Some of the performers are obvious, as are some of their choices. Emmylou Harris has performed Dolly's songs for years, alone or in partnership with Dolly herself, and she scooped up "To Daddy" long ago. Norah Jones, though, is a less obvious Dolly Parton fan, and that she'd gravitate to Dolly's bluegrass tune, "The Grass Is Blue," is at least as surprising as her presence here. It's great, though, just the same.
Other performers who might surprise include Sinead O'Connor and Me'Shell N'Degeocello, but after hearing their offerings, their presence seems almost obvious. Singers like Alison Krauss and Shelby Lynn, who've known this music all their lives, seem more obvious, and prove to be excellent choices as well.
In fact, every performer does an exceptional job here, and I don't know that I'd change a thing about this album, including the presence of Ms. Parton herself on the closing bonus track. There's not an accolade Dolly Parton doesn't deserve, and while this one may be overdue, it's done just right.
Track List:
Alison Krauss/9 To 5 * Melissa Etheridge/I Will Always Love You * Norah Jones/The Grass Is Blue * Joan Osborne/Do I Ever Cross Your Mind * Shelby Lynn/The Seeker * Mindy Smith/Jolene * Emmylou Harris/To Daddy * Shania Twain w/Alison Krauss & Union Station/Coat Of Many Colors * Kasey Chambers/Little Sparrow * Sinead O'Connor/Dagger Through The Heart * Allison Moorer/Light Of A Clear Blue Morning * Me'Shell N'Degecello/ Two Doors Down * Dolly Parton/Just Because I'm A Woman
© 2003 - Shaun Dale