Dolly Parton 'Jolene'

NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ RCA/ Legacy) - By the mid-70s, Parton had emerged from Porter Wagoner's shadow to redefine herself as a powerhouse solo artist. This 1974 release, her first solo LP to crack the top-10, includes the chart-topping title track, as well as the original version of Parton's farewell to Porter Wagoner, "I Will Always Love You." The title track, covered by others (including a superb bluegrass version by Rhonda Vincent), is best heard in this original form.

"I Will Always Love You" is closely associated among film viewers and MTV watchers with Whitney Houston, but Parton's original, aching with conflicting strength, vulnerability, fragility and resolution outstrips both Houston's remake, and Parton's own reworking for the film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." The song was so strong that all three versions – Houston's and two from Parton – topped the charts!

The album's eight additional tunes, six from Parton, one from Wagoner, and one from Blaise Tosti ("It Must Be You") have tamer themes that those explored on earlier Parton LP's like "Coat of Many Colors," but no less heartfelt. Parton's emancipation from Wagoner would lead her to industry honors (including CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in '75 and '76), Hollywood and crossover success, but the mid-70s found her in full flower of solo aristry as a country singer-songwriter.

Buddha's 1999 reissue of this title was a straight-up 10 track, 25-minute disc. RCA/Legacy expands on the original with a quartet of bonus tracks from the 1974 sessions, bringing the playing time to 37 minutes. It's surprising that a track like "Cracker Jack," a loving song of a childhood pet, was lost in Parton's catalog. Though she "Another Woman's Man" (a reflection of "Jolene") and the tangy day-dreaming "Last Night's Lovin'" remained unreleased, and "Barbara on Your Mind" was reworked on Parton's 1982's "Heartbreak Express" LP. All four are worthwhile additions.

Legacy's new reissue (along with accompanying versions of "My Tennessee Mountain Home" and "Coat of Many Colors") fills out the packaging with newly struck liner notes by Chet Flippo and chart and session information missing from the earlier Buddha version. This is an essential entry in Parton's catalog, and even those who own the earlier CD reissue should consider upgrading for the bonus tracks and new booklet.