Two of the finest albums ever recorded - by anybody
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dolly has always been my favorite since since I started collected records seriously. Even though my first LP was her stunning pop album, Here you come again, I knew her previous records were different. These two ultra-traditional country albums, both from 1971, help to show why Dolly is my favorite.Chicken every Sunday is a song based on one of Dolly's favorite themes - that being poor doesn't matter, you can still enjoy life as other things are more important. This is also what Coat of many colors is all about.There are many great story songs on this collection including Joshua and the two mentioned above. Of the others, I particularly like J J Snead, a love gone wrong song in a Bonnie and Clyde type of setting - very dramatic.Personally, I think these are two of Dolly's finest ever. Dolly has recorded many different types of album since she first recorded pop in 1977, but has always returned to her roots, though never with such stark production values as you find here.For that reason, at least the two title tracks should already be familiar to you if you are thinking of buying this twofer. If you haven't got any Dolly music from this era, I suggest you first buy a compilation covering this period. If in doubt which one, I recommend Essential volume 2.If you don't like both Joshua and Coat of mnay colors, you won't like the rest of this twofer, but if you love those two songs, you'll want to play this over and over."
Classic Dolly
J. M. Zuurbier | Canada | 09/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album features Dolly's two classic albums JOSHUA and COAT OF MANY COLORS. To my knowledge this is the first time JOSHUA has been available on CD, making this a must own CD for avid Dolly fans and collectors. These two albums are classics to me because they are Dolly's roots in music, when she was doing the story songs that had a great underlying message, if you look at her songs here a lot of them apply to simple meanings that unite us all. "Joshua" could be interpreted as a beauty and the beast type story, don't let appearances keep you from loving or getting to know someone. "Coat of Many Colors" is the most famous though, a tale of feeling rich in the rags that her mother sewed together in every stitch. This is the album to own if you want songs like that, simply beautiful simple songs from Dolly. Other highlights on this set include "Traveling Man", "My Blue Tears", "Letter To Heaven", "A Better Place To Live", "Here I Am", "The Last One To Touch me" and more. Overall a must have for all Dolly fans, its worth the extra money."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1