Dolly Parton - Halos & Horns
This is Dolly's third album from Sugar Hill Records. It is titled "Horns and Halos," and with that title and Dolly singing - you know you are in for a treat from the start. Dolly had a burst of creativity while at her Tennessee home recently and headed for the studio to get some of her ideas on tape. This album is certainly one of her best; there is no doubt about it. She says it is virtually live, since she has a hard time stopping and going back and then doing it over with the same feeling. She didn't wait to schedule studio musicians and just brought in a few members of her band and recruited a few others from her Dollywood theme park plus some other local people.
Dolly's last two albums had returned her to her Bluegrass roots and have won her well-deserved praise. This current album will continue the trait. Dolly sounds as pure and fresh as when she started with her first single release in 1960. Her songs are well written and they all have something to say. She even chose to cover two classic songs on this album. Bread's "If" and "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. Both songs are covered beautifully, leaving their original over-all sound intact.
It was hard to pick out favorites from this great CD because everything was awesome. This is a definite must for any album collection. Dolly is definitely on top of her game and she sounds spectacular. As the last note faded out, I considered just replaying it over and over so it wouldn't end.
Reviewed by Jolene Downs.
