Dolly Parton

With a truly hot band in support, the country icon turns in not just her best album in years, but one of the best records of 1999. This is a real masterpiece, from the song selection (including a Billy Joel cover) through to the crack execution. An intangible vibe of total respect for, understanding of and flat out dedication to her Appalachian roots penetrates the album.

Until the Gucci arrival of Shania Twain, Dolly Parton was country glamour. Yet Parton
debuted as a mountain singer-songwriter, working with the great and equally rustic Porter
Wagoner. On recent recordings like Trio II, with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, Parton
has gone home, but not with the curled-tongue abandon she brings to The Grass Is Blue,
where she re-tackles bluegrass, country and traditional songs with brio. First co... More >

Bluegrass isn't magic--she could put her back into these songs because she didn't get a hernia writing them ("Cash on the Barrelhead," "I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open"). (Grade - **)