A Capella Medley: Islands In The Stream/Here You Come Again/Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That/Two Doors Down
We Irish
Stairway To Heaven
I Will Always Love You
There isn't a more ebullient live performer in all of popular music than Dolly Parton, as this chatty concert recording attests. Though Parton had been on hiatus from touring for a decade, she reconnects here with an audie... more »nce that extends from country traditionalists to drag queens (to whom she dedicates her classic "Jolene"). Banjo and fiddle drive the acoustic arrangements and bluegrass harmonies highlight the choruses as Parton surveys a career-spanning selection of material on this two-disc set, applying her signature vocal quaver to hits from "Coat of Many Colors" to "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." The concert extends her musical terrain to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush," and a breathy rendition of Bread's "If," while an a cappella medley renews the likes of "Islands in the Stream" and "Here You Come Again." Parton's in fine voice throughout and even better spirits, spending almost as much time bantering with the crowd as she does singing. Where many live recordings are little more than songs with applause, this is the full Dolly. --Don McLeese« less
There isn't a more ebullient live performer in all of popular music than Dolly Parton, as this chatty concert recording attests. Though Parton had been on hiatus from touring for a decade, she reconnects here with an audience that extends from country traditionalists to drag queens (to whom she dedicates her classic "Jolene"). Banjo and fiddle drive the acoustic arrangements and bluegrass harmonies highlight the choruses as Parton surveys a career-spanning selection of material on this two-disc set, applying her signature vocal quaver to hits from "Coat of Many Colors" to "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." The concert extends her musical terrain to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush," and a breathy rendition of Bread's "If," while an a cappella medley renews the likes of "Islands in the Stream" and "Here You Come Again." Parton's in fine voice throughout and even better spirits, spending almost as much time bantering with the crowd as she does singing. Where many live recordings are little more than songs with applause, this is the full Dolly. --Don McLeese
Tomas N. (thnakada) from SAN FRANCISCO, CA Reviewed on 3/27/2007...
I only have disc #2
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Just one more reason to love Dolly...
Mr. Stanley M. Schmidt | Rockford, IL | 10/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, I'm NOT a Country Music fan, but I can't help but love Dolly Parton. You'll hear why if you buy this 2-disc set.
Dolly is not only a great singer and performer, but a master lyricist and storyteller. Her incredible commentary between songs explains her thoughts and you really get a feel of why she wrote that song. Her simple grace is amazing. She loves to entertain and that shows loud and clear in this set. When she talks about her childhood, her family and her home on the foot of the Smokey Mountains, she really shows why she is an icon.
I did shed of couple of unexpected tears while this was playing. "My Tennessee Mountain Home", "Smokey Mountain Memories" and "Coat of Many Colors" are killers. They draw such emotion and with a lyric like "..so we hitched our station wagon to a star", it's a wonder there was a dry eye in the house.
I'm so proud to own this collection. Buy it and I think you'll see why."
It's almost like being there...
anamericangirly | Texas | 11/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always wonder how good any live album actually will be. I assumed Dolly would deliver, but you just don't know for sure. This live album is fun to listen to...almost more for what she says in between the songs than the actual songs themselves. I did say "almost"--the song material is exceptional and, for the most part, from her bluegrass trilogy, "The Grass is Blue," "Little Sparrow" and "Halos and Horns." Of course, her standards are included as well, so you get a little of the old Dolly and the new and improved Dolly, too. This cd is bluegrass heavy, and with that mountain voice, I could listen to Dolly sing it all day long. I started listening in '78, but her work in the last 5 years is some of her finest and my favorite. She is brilliant as a bluegrass musician. Dolly and bluegrass go together like biscuits and gravy. My favorite cut is #4 "Mountain Angel." The song is great, but the banter at the end is even better. With all the jokes and storytelling and her heartfelt sincerity, it's almost just like being there."
Two doors down?
Stefan Crane | CA USA | 01/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This LP is a rare gem among the country genre. Parton's voice is angelic as is her delivery of these great tunes. Given that Parton has been established for decades, the fact that she composes these gloriously melodic songs is enough to garner this LP 5 stars. As a rule, the LIVE recordings leave so much to be desired in the quality department: Not here. Very impressive music and sound. Parton's voice is NOT over powered in these selections. Parton and all the musicians on this LP are to be thanked for a job well done. Seems so effortless, I'm certain it is not."
Excellent Dolly CD
Jeremy Brockert | Detroit, MI USA | 12/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I did see Dolly on on Hello Dolly tour when she came to Detroit in October. It was the best concert I have ever been to (and this includes Cher). Dolly has such a beautiful voice and she tells such great stories...both of which come through very well on this CD. I bought the CD right after the concert and have listened to it many times since. Anyone who loves music of any kind should have this CD in their collection."