Dolly Parton, Rock Star
May 11, 2023 7:42 PM Subscribe
After promising in her Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame speech that she'd now have to make a rock and roll album.... Dolly Parton has come through, in ways only Dolly Parton could! Rockstar, coming out in November, has the most ridiculous cast of rock musicians you can imagine. But not only that! This sister isn't holding back because this rock album is THIRTY TRACKS LONG! Anyway, here's the lead-off single, World On Fire.
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
Why, Dolly, why?
posted by miguelcervantes at 7:53 PM on May 11, 2023 [54 favorites]
Why, Dolly, why?
posted by miguelcervantes at 7:53 PM on May 11, 2023 [54 favorites]
This is AMAZING! Next do pop! I think she’d be amazing at pop.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:07 PM on May 11, 2023
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:07 PM on May 11, 2023
Dolly is an honest-to-god national treasure. Her musical legacy is unquestionable, as is her personal generosity, and her heart is a big as the great outdoors. So I mean no disrespect.
But that song ain't great. She sounds good -- amazing, really, considering the woman is 77! But the rest of it is just kinda blah, trying to hard to be a rock 'anthem' and instead hitting 'cliche'.
Hopefully the rest of the album delivers.
posted by Frayed Knot at 8:08 PM on May 11, 2023 [8 favorites]
But that song ain't great. She sounds good -- amazing, really, considering the woman is 77! But the rest of it is just kinda blah, trying to hard to be a rock 'anthem' and instead hitting 'cliche'.
Hopefully the rest of the album delivers.
posted by Frayed Knot at 8:08 PM on May 11, 2023 [8 favorites]
Dolly Parton + Magma remaking Köhntarkösz (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Köhntarkösz)
(Sorry on mobile, editing difficult. Also drunk)
posted by foonly at 8:12 PM on May 11, 2023 [15 favorites]
(Sorry on mobile, editing difficult. Also drunk)
posted by foonly at 8:12 PM on May 11, 2023 [15 favorites]
MetaFilter: Also drunk
posted by hippybear at 8:14 PM on May 11, 2023 [41 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 8:14 PM on May 11, 2023 [41 favorites]
I’ve been metafiltered! By hippybear no less!
Also Dolly Parton is awesome
posted by foonly at 8:16 PM on May 11, 2023 [16 favorites]
Also Dolly Parton is awesome
posted by foonly at 8:16 PM on May 11, 2023 [16 favorites]
I haven’t been this happy since Barry Gibb released ‘Greenfields’, which also had Dolly Parton.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:22 PM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:22 PM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Whoah, that first single is better than I thought it would be and yes, she does sound amazing.
posted by blue shadows at 8:23 PM on May 11, 2023
posted by blue shadows at 8:23 PM on May 11, 2023
I mean, seriously two Beatles plus Frampton and Fleetwood doing Let It Be? That's... insane.
posted by hippybear at 8:35 PM on May 11, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 8:35 PM on May 11, 2023 [16 favorites]
(I know they were probably never the five of them in a room together for this, but let me have my fantasy.)
posted by hippybear at 8:36 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 8:36 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I honestly love the idea that Dolly called and basically half the hall of fame answered. Because why wouldn't you?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:41 PM on May 11, 2023 [28 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:41 PM on May 11, 2023 [28 favorites]
WE'RE PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:46 PM on May 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:46 PM on May 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
I mean, seriously two Beatles plus
It's way too late now but if George hadn't taken his leave, Julian could handle John's singing. Astonishing to me, it was, first time I heard Vallote I was blown out, not identical but oh so close to his father.
posted by dancestoblue at 9:03 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's way too late now but if George hadn't taken his leave, Julian could handle John's singing. Astonishing to me, it was, first time I heard Vallote I was blown out, not identical but oh so close to his father.
posted by dancestoblue at 9:03 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Does anyone else see Dolly’s whip-smart sense of humor in ending the album with… Free Bird?? I’ll have my lighter ready!
posted by Silvery Fish at 9:21 PM on May 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by Silvery Fish at 9:21 PM on May 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
Dolly is great. Saw her once at Grand Old Opry (not the Ryman, too bad for me) she came walking out, tripped and fell and this wig about the size of a Buick tumbled off her head, she laughed, picked that thing up and jammed it onto her head and sang one hell of a show. She's a trip.
posted by dancestoblue at 9:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [15 favorites]
posted by dancestoblue at 9:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [15 favorites]
The song is not the earworm to 'burn it all down', but still, I can't really quibble with the lyrics. It's really tactfully put together. Engaging. Good stuff.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 9:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 9:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
don't know if I'd call it rock N roll ... but I like it.
posted by philip-random at 9:53 PM on May 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 9:53 PM on May 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Free Bird and Let It Be? Why not the trifecta of interminability with Knockin' On Heaven's Door?
It may turn out that I hope they put out the 9 originals as a separate release (na ga happen), but I'm very curious about the (other) covers too.
posted by rhizome at 10:08 PM on May 11, 2023
It may turn out that I hope they put out the 9 originals as a separate release (na ga happen), but I'm very curious about the (other) covers too.
posted by rhizome at 10:08 PM on May 11, 2023
Free Bird and Let It Be? Why not the trifecta of interminabilityI draw your attention to Stairway to Heaven, with Lizzo
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 10:19 PM on May 11, 2023 [31 favorites]
Obligatory reminder she wrote "Jolene" on the same day that she wrote "I Will Always Love You."
posted by kirkaracha at 10:20 PM on May 11, 2023 [34 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 10:20 PM on May 11, 2023 [34 favorites]
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
Why, Dolly, why?
What was the tweet I saw? "Kid Rock makes music for men who are only allowed to see their kids on weekends, and then don't."
posted by maxwelton at 10:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [72 favorites]
Why, Dolly, why?
What was the tweet I saw? "Kid Rock makes music for men who are only allowed to see their kids on weekends, and then don't."
posted by maxwelton at 10:28 PM on May 11, 2023 [72 favorites]
I draw your attention to Stairway to Heaven, with Lizzo
Dolly already did a pretty good cover of Stairway to Heaven on Halos and Horns. (It's pretty great except I don't care for the hokey choir.)
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:49 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Dolly already did a pretty good cover of Stairway to Heaven on Halos and Horns. (It's pretty great except I don't care for the hokey choir.)
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:49 PM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Whoah, that first single is better than I thought it would be and yes, she does sound amazing.
Its a really interesting performance: she start out, to me, sounding like Dolly Parton fronting a rock band - but when the chorus kicks in (which it doesn't until about 2 minutes in) she sound like somebody who has never been a master of singing any genre other than rock). Its a hell of an embrace of the new for a 77 year old.
posted by rongorongo at 1:56 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Its a really interesting performance: she start out, to me, sounding like Dolly Parton fronting a rock band - but when the chorus kicks in (which it doesn't until about 2 minutes in) she sound like somebody who has never been a master of singing any genre other than rock). Its a hell of an embrace of the new for a 77 year old.
posted by rongorongo at 1:56 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
What was the tweet I saw? "Kid Rock makes music for men who are only allowed to see their kids on weekends, and then don't."
Also: “Kid Rock makes music for people who know exactly how much Sudafed they can buy at Walgreens”
And: “Sorry to hear about Kid Rock.”
“Nothing happened to him, I’m just always sorry to hear about Kid Rock.”
posted by TedW at 4:23 AM on May 12, 2023 [46 favorites]
Also: “Kid Rock makes music for people who know exactly how much Sudafed they can buy at Walgreens”
And: “Sorry to hear about Kid Rock.”
“Nothing happened to him, I’m just always sorry to hear about Kid Rock.”
posted by TedW at 4:23 AM on May 12, 2023 [46 favorites]
Its a hell of an embrace of the new for a 77 year old.
posted by rongorongo at 3:56 AM on May 12
77 is the new 44.
Provided, of course, that you take excellent care of yourself -- physically, dentally, mentally. And you've got to have the money for plastic surgery, and have a line on a great doc -- subtle is the key, you got to have a good enough doc that you keep looking like you, and not like a monster sewn together like a baseball.
posted by dancestoblue at 4:45 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rongorongo at 3:56 AM on May 12
77 is the new 44.
Provided, of course, that you take excellent care of yourself -- physically, dentally, mentally. And you've got to have the money for plastic surgery, and have a line on a great doc -- subtle is the key, you got to have a good enough doc that you keep looking like you, and not like a monster sewn together like a baseball.
posted by dancestoblue at 4:45 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is not at all my kind of thing, but Dolly Parton seems like a lovely person, and her charity has given books to literal millions of young children, so I can easily look the other way at Kid Rock and Steven Tyler features.
posted by box at 4:52 AM on May 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by box at 4:52 AM on May 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
Wait a sec... pretty shameless lift of a well known Billy Squier hook. The whole thing feels AI generated.
posted by 3.2.3 at 5:16 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by 3.2.3 at 5:16 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
This is AMAZING! Next do pop! I think she’d be amazing at pop.
Did that already.
posted by JanetLand at 5:22 AM on May 12, 2023
Did that already.
posted by JanetLand at 5:22 AM on May 12, 2023
Oh boy, here's a chance to share one of the best long-running story threads from Hulu/Disney+'s The Orville and it heavily features Dolly Parton!
Set in the 29th century, it all starts when a male-dominated society discovers that there is a secret colony of women on a distant planet. The colony leader goes to the Planetary Union to ask for protection before the male society can destroy the colony.
The colony leader makes an impassioned speech.
The male society attacks anyway and the women fight back.
The colony leader meets her inspiration and listens to a song.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:31 AM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Set in the 29th century, it all starts when a male-dominated society discovers that there is a secret colony of women on a distant planet. The colony leader goes to the Planetary Union to ask for protection before the male society can destroy the colony.
The colony leader makes an impassioned speech.
The male society attacks anyway and the women fight back.
The colony leader meets her inspiration and listens to a song.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:31 AM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
This album looks like it's going to absolutely rule.
Also, Servo5678, this has nudged me to finally add the Orville to my watchlist.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:58 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also, Servo5678, this has nudged me to finally add the Orville to my watchlist.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:58 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Orville is a weird, weird show. It started out as Family Guy doing Star Trek, then it gradually squeezes out most of the Family Guy side and just became Trek but like reskinned somehow. (Watching the most recent season you have to remind yourself that in season one, Isaac surgically removed Gordon's leg while he was sleeping and hid it on the ship as a practical joke.)
And then there's this extended thing about Dolly Parton, and she actually shows up. Which is equal parts cool and jarring and strange.
posted by Naberius at 6:15 AM on May 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
And then there's this extended thing about Dolly Parton, and she actually shows up. Which is equal parts cool and jarring and strange.
posted by Naberius at 6:15 AM on May 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
This fpp on first glance gave me an "oh no" twinge, so glad it's good news. Never a "fan" of hers but the more see small details of her life am just reassured of the good in people and just how wonderful some folks can be across in many different parts of their life.
Go Dolly!
posted by sammyo at 6:21 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Go Dolly!
posted by sammyo at 6:21 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Excited to hear this album, but the single does echo the icky Both Sides vibes that would lead one to invite Kid Rock for a guest song.
posted by HeroZero at 6:31 AM on May 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
Don't get me started on politics / Now how we to live in a world like this / Greedy politicians present and past / They wouldn't know the truth if it bit 'em in the ass / Now tell me what is truth / Have we all lost sight / Of common decency / Of wrong and right?I saw Prince in Chicago in 2012, and he was as amazing as everyone says he is, but he also somehow turned Purple Rain into a red-blue bipartisanship anthem. It was similarly dispiriting, even 4 years before the ascendance of TFG.
How do we heal this great divide / Do we care enough to try?
posted by HeroZero at 6:31 AM on May 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
This fpp on first glance gave me an "oh no" twinge, so glad it's good news.
As long as it's not Pat Boone's heavy metal album...
posted by Naberius at 7:57 AM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
As long as it's not Pat Boone's heavy metal album...
posted by Naberius at 7:57 AM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Excited to hear this album, but the single does echo the icky Both Sides vibes
Dolly is first and foremost a very smart businesswoman. Don't look for her to be quoting Chomsky anytime soon.
posted by Optamystic at 8:08 AM on May 12, 2023 [13 favorites]
Dolly is first and foremost a very smart businesswoman. Don't look for her to be quoting Chomsky anytime soon.
posted by Optamystic at 8:08 AM on May 12, 2023 [13 favorites]
Excited to hear this album, but the single does echo the icky Both Sides vibesI don't love these lyrics, but--in addition to what everyone else has said--I would imagine Dolly gets sick of people on both sides looking to her as a political symbol. This might have been what she saw as the best way to address it.
posted by pxe2000 at 8:14 AM on May 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
The podcast Jad Abumrad did on Dolly Parton is really interesting, particularly if you don’t have a pre formed opinion on her.
posted by jeoc at 8:14 AM on May 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by jeoc at 8:14 AM on May 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
Also, I understand the disappointment at Kid Rock's involvement, but the Waddy Wachtel feature was disappointing for me.
posted by pxe2000 at 8:25 AM on May 12, 2023
posted by pxe2000 at 8:25 AM on May 12, 2023
If “Either Or” featuring Kid Rock is the Elliott Smith song, then I truly won’t know what to think.
posted by snofoam at 8:51 AM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 8:51 AM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
How do we heal this great divide / Do we care enough to try?
You're right, Dolly, there are very fine people, on both sides.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:03 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
You're right, Dolly, there are very fine people, on both sides.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:03 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Billy got a gun, Joey got a knife
Janie got a sign to carry in the fight
Marchin' in the streets with sticks and stones
Don't you ever believe words don't break bones
They do?
posted by box at 9:18 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Janie got a sign to carry in the fight
Marchin' in the streets with sticks and stones
Don't you ever believe words don't break bones
They do?
posted by box at 9:18 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
In the 1960s, when the Grammys were clueless as to what rock and roll was, among the Grammys given out for best rock and roll single were Roger Miller King of the Road, 5th Dimension Up, Up, and Away, and Petula Clark Downtown. Dolly rocks at least as hard as them.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Free Bird and Let It Be? Why not the trifecta of interminability with Knockin' On Heaven's Door?
No, you want The Weight.
....also, just sharing - I was thinking about all the collaborators Dolly could have chosen and it lead me to think of a sudden and glorious idea for a mashup: Dolly Parton, and Rammstein.
I don't know where that idea came from. And I no longer care. All I know is that I want that to happen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:58 AM on May 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
No, you want The Weight.
....also, just sharing - I was thinking about all the collaborators Dolly could have chosen and it lead me to think of a sudden and glorious idea for a mashup: Dolly Parton, and Rammstein.
I don't know where that idea came from. And I no longer care. All I know is that I want that to happen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:58 AM on May 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
I saw the sone was called "World on Fire" and for a moment I thought she might be covering this.
posted by dogwelder at 10:03 AM on May 12, 2023
posted by dogwelder at 10:03 AM on May 12, 2023
"… the trifecta of interminability …"
Do you mean Stairway to the House of the Rising Smoke On the Water?
posted by bz at 12:12 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Do you mean Stairway to the House of the Rising Smoke On the Water?
posted by bz at 12:12 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Everyone with the Kid Rock takes - at least she's practicing what she preaches.
To the both sides commentary - there's plenty of shit bags out there, so what's your plan, push them into the ocean? She didn't say meet them halfway. If they need to do an about face on their opinions that's still healing a divide.
So I dunno, let's talk about how a 77 year old made a giant new album in a new genre and has overall been a force for good in the world!
posted by jellywerker at 12:23 PM on May 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
To the both sides commentary - there's plenty of shit bags out there, so what's your plan, push them into the ocean? She didn't say meet them halfway. If they need to do an about face on their opinions that's still healing a divide.
So I dunno, let's talk about how a 77 year old made a giant new album in a new genre and has overall been a force for good in the world!
posted by jellywerker at 12:23 PM on May 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
I'm happy for her, but that track listing is my personal version of musical hell for the most part. No thanks to like 30 of 33 tracks, and there isn't much to work with for them, so there's no way she can improve them.
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:34 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:34 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Dolly knew that Nashville was where she needed to be. Her first day there, she takes some clothes to a coin op laundry-mat, met a man there, knew her heart instantly, they've been together ever since.
Makes me want to go to coin op laundry mat ....
posted by dancestoblue at 12:35 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Makes me want to go to coin op laundry mat ....
posted by dancestoblue at 12:35 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
I saw the sone was called "World on Fire" and for a moment I thought she might be covering this
I was hoping it was this
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:50 PM on May 12, 2023
I was hoping it was this
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:50 PM on May 12, 2023
so I can easily look the other way at Kid Rock and Steven Tyler features.
this came up recently in discussion with a few younger art-adjacent acquaintances. We were sharing notes on differences in the various art scenes between now and, say, the 1980s (comfortably pre-internet/social media).
Obviously there are many differences crossing many angles and concerns. But one thing that came up was the tendency now for some (many?), when confronted with some new piece, some new "product", to immediately scan the details for something to take issue with (and those details are far more available these days -- just hit google and see what pops up). So when it comes to offering critique, it's all too easy to lead with something like ...
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
Why, Dolly, why?
and why wouldn't they?
[41 favorites +] [!]
And obviously Kid Rock's an ass and indeed, Why Dolly Why?
But as the first point to make when there are very many other points that could have been made? It does speak to something maybe not so healthy. I mean there more than thirty names here that aren't Kid Rock or Steven Tyler.
01. Rockstar (special guest Richie Sambora)
02. World on Fire
03. Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)
04. Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)
05. Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
06. Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
08. I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
09. What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. Purple Rain
11. Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)
19. Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
21. We Are The Champions
22. Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
23. My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)
25. You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
26. Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
27. Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
30. Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
posted by philip-random at 1:02 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
this came up recently in discussion with a few younger art-adjacent acquaintances. We were sharing notes on differences in the various art scenes between now and, say, the 1980s (comfortably pre-internet/social media).
Obviously there are many differences crossing many angles and concerns. But one thing that came up was the tendency now for some (many?), when confronted with some new piece, some new "product", to immediately scan the details for something to take issue with (and those details are far more available these days -- just hit google and see what pops up). So when it comes to offering critique, it's all too easy to lead with something like ...
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
Why, Dolly, why?
and why wouldn't they?
[41 favorites +] [!]
And obviously Kid Rock's an ass and indeed, Why Dolly Why?
But as the first point to make when there are very many other points that could have been made? It does speak to something maybe not so healthy. I mean there more than thirty names here that aren't Kid Rock or Steven Tyler.
01. Rockstar (special guest Richie Sambora)
02. World on Fire
03. Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)
04. Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)
05. Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
06. Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)
07. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
08. I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
09. What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. Purple Rain
11. Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)
19. Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
21. We Are The Champions
22. Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
23. My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)
25. You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
26. Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
27. Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
30. Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
posted by philip-random at 1:02 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Mavis Staples and Dolly Parton have both cut songs distressed and mad at the state of the world today?
That kinda feels like a two out of three doomsday keys turned scenario. Not sure who the third would be.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:12 PM on May 12, 2023
That kinda feels like a two out of three doomsday keys turned scenario. Not sure who the third would be.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:12 PM on May 12, 2023
Looking forward to hearing 25, 17, 6, 14, 20, and 30. I have lighters ready!
posted by winesong at 2:14 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by winesong at 2:14 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm awaiting more information about the studio musicians. Is Dolly using her normal band, that along with her has created a style she calls "Newgrass" which is what she normally records in? Or will she be using other session musicians from a more rock bent? Will it be the same core musicians across all the tracks, or will it be a different band for each cut?
I have so many unanswered questions at this point!
I am interested to see how the Linda Perry thing goes because she basically retired from recording after creating one of the biggest and most memorable songs of the past 30 years. She's been writing songs like wildfire, but we don't hear her own voice much anymore.
Back when I was writing music reviews, I got a copy of a previous covers collection from Dolly, Those Were The Days [Wikipedia, which says this was her 41st album, back in 2005], which were all done in her Newgrass style and also had a lot of guest artists.
It had some clunkers, and it got a bit tedious by the end of its admittedly short 45m run. But it had some really wonderful moments, too. Including the title track which she recorded with her former flame, about whom she wrote both Jolene and I Will Always Love You in a single day, Porter Wagoner, just a couple of years before his death.
posted by hippybear at 2:29 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have so many unanswered questions at this point!
I am interested to see how the Linda Perry thing goes because she basically retired from recording after creating one of the biggest and most memorable songs of the past 30 years. She's been writing songs like wildfire, but we don't hear her own voice much anymore.
Back when I was writing music reviews, I got a copy of a previous covers collection from Dolly, Those Were The Days [Wikipedia, which says this was her 41st album, back in 2005], which were all done in her Newgrass style and also had a lot of guest artists.
It had some clunkers, and it got a bit tedious by the end of its admittedly short 45m run. But it had some really wonderful moments, too. Including the title track which she recorded with her former flame, about whom she wrote both Jolene and I Will Always Love You in a single day, Porter Wagoner, just a couple of years before his death.
posted by hippybear at 2:29 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Don't you ever believe words don't break bones
They do?
It’s clearly a metaphor for incitement. Or maybe weirding modules.
posted by mubba at 3:05 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
They do?
It’s clearly a metaphor for incitement. Or maybe weirding modules.
posted by mubba at 3:05 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Dolly Parton, putting out words of incitement, fanning the world into flames.
posted by hippybear at 3:15 PM on May 12, 2023
posted by hippybear at 3:15 PM on May 12, 2023
Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
I take it Paul will be doing percussion.
posted by clavdivs at 3:31 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
I take it Paul will be doing percussion.
posted by clavdivs at 3:31 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
I know that that there are complicated sociological reasons why I’m not supposed to love Parton—basically because she’s packaged whiteness?—but I do really love her.
My public library has a deal with her book Imagination Library and her photo and picks have been arriving in my mailbox every month for the past decade and change (and yes this too is a kind of boondoggle, she only pays postage, I know) and we just can’t help it.
posted by anotherpanacea at 3:31 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
My public library has a deal with her book Imagination Library and her photo and picks have been arriving in my mailbox every month for the past decade and change (and yes this too is a kind of boondoggle, she only pays postage, I know) and we just can’t help it.
posted by anotherpanacea at 3:31 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
I take it Paul will be doing percussion.
If the video doesn't feature a cage match with Ringo and Mick fighting it out next to a drum kit a la Frankie's Two Tribes video, this is a failed timeline.
posted by hippybear at 4:05 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
If the video doesn't feature a cage match with Ringo and Mick fighting it out next to a drum kit a la Frankie's Two Tribes video, this is a failed timeline.
posted by hippybear at 4:05 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
I know that that there are complicated sociological reasons why I’m not supposed to love Parton—basically because she’s packaged whiteness?—but I do really love her.
Actually, Dolly is famously an unproblematic favorite. Teresa McMillan Cottom has written extensively about how she is an easy person for a Black American to respect and identify with. She's also outspoken supporting LGBT folks.
Oh, and she invested all of that Whitney Houston money in an underserved Black community.
Dolly is a real one. Nothing problematic about loving her to your bones.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:28 PM on May 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
Actually, Dolly is famously an unproblematic favorite. Teresa McMillan Cottom has written extensively about how she is an easy person for a Black American to respect and identify with. She's also outspoken supporting LGBT folks.
Oh, and she invested all of that Whitney Houston money in an underserved Black community.
Dolly is a real one. Nothing problematic about loving her to your bones.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:28 PM on May 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
One fun thing is that while Dolly is famously carefully spoken, her sister Stella is uh, not and calls 'em like she fucking sees 'em. It's like hearing Dolly take the gloves off.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:31 PM on May 12, 2023
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:31 PM on May 12, 2023
Dolly is beloved by everyone and she's incredibly non-political while at the same time making sure she's not carelessly harmful to anyone. She had a Civil War show at Dollywood for years, horseback stunts and stuff... she rebranded it to be X vs Y or something because she realized that conflict didn't need to be revisited repeatedly.
That Dolly podcast mentioned above, it was here previously, and it is so so good.
When Dolly in her new song asks "How do we heal this great divide" it's her. The answer is her.
posted by hippybear at 4:37 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
That Dolly podcast mentioned above, it was here previously, and it is so so good.
When Dolly in her new song asks "How do we heal this great divide" it's her. The answer is her.
posted by hippybear at 4:37 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
And obviously Kid Rock's an ass and indeed, Why Dolly Why?
But as the first point to make when there are very many other points that could have been made? It does speak to something maybe not so healthy. I mean there more than thirty names here that aren't Kid Rock or Steven Tyler.
Yes, and I was on my way to pre-order the album on love of Dolly alone when I decided to peruse the track list. But it's not just that Kid Rock is many things, none of which are noble -- Dolly's involvement with the Moderna vaccine was a goddamn light to the world in 2021. Kid Rock, in contrast ... well, to quote his Wikipedia page:
On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released a single, "We the People", in which he criticizes the media, Anthony Fauci, face masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and Big Tech to the chorus of "Let's Go Brandon".[57] That same day, he also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance". On January 28, 2022, he announced on his upcoming Bad Reputation Tour that he would not perform at venues that require masks and proof of vaccination and would cancel shows at such places.[58]
Kid Rock aims to be the standard bearer of a movement that causes actual harm, a movement that stands in opposition to what Dolly herself helped to achieve. There are 30+ other names on there, and thousands more that could have been (imagine getting Dave Grohl, for example). But in one of a limited set of tracks, she might as well have had Jolene on a track (this being a joke, in that Jolene didn't vice signal as little as a month ago her anti-trans hate).
One bad apple spoils the bunch, and one must-skip track spoils a record. I'll probably buy the MP3 and delete track 7, but I'm not buying the vinyl.
posted by miguelcervantes at 8:21 PM on May 12, 2023
World On Fire (From The 58th ACM Awards)
This is really cool really well done. I hope you enjoy it as I did.
posted by dancestoblue at 8:56 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is really cool really well done. I hope you enjoy it as I did.
posted by dancestoblue at 8:56 PM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
OMG!
Dolly decides to go rock and then just blows the American Country Music Awards ceremony off its ass!
posted by hippybear at 9:10 PM on May 12, 2023
Dolly decides to go rock and then just blows the American Country Music Awards ceremony off its ass!
posted by hippybear at 9:10 PM on May 12, 2023
I like Dolly Parton as a human being who donates to good causes, but if anyone other than her had released this “rock” song, Metafilter would be calling it what it is - overproduced, wannabe-hair-band garbage.
Dolly did two bluegrass albums that were pretty good, but pretty much everything else she’s ever done has been treacly and corny. Yeah, Jolene is fun, but Coat of Many Colors is sappy. Anyone remember Islands in the Stream? And for all the good things she’s done, she still refuses to take a stand and speak out against all the right wing shit going on, because of course that would hurt her sales. How about we take off the rose colored glasses here, and start using the same standards we would use to talk about anyone else? I gather from the comments that she did a song with Kid Rock. So we’re just going to be ok with her collaborating with someone who is anti-trans and is loud about it? Wow. Personally, I wouldn’t be able to be in the room with him without telling him exactly how much of a POS he is, but Dolly chose to do a song with him. Are we suddenly ok with the “both sides” crap?
And even when it comes to her donations, as a percentage of income, I bet an awful lot of Mefites donate more every year.
And is no one going to comment on the “In God We Trust” line? Really? She’s out there celebrating a line that shouldn’t even be on our money, because of a little thing called separation of church and state, but hey, she has big hair so we’re ok with it. It’s just fine that she’s pretending that it isn’t belief in god that the right uses to justify all their hate.
Anyway, you can like her as a person (I guess. If you don’t care about trans people, anyway.) without pretending this song is anything other than awful.
posted by MexicanYenta at 9:54 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Dolly did two bluegrass albums that were pretty good, but pretty much everything else she’s ever done has been treacly and corny. Yeah, Jolene is fun, but Coat of Many Colors is sappy. Anyone remember Islands in the Stream? And for all the good things she’s done, she still refuses to take a stand and speak out against all the right wing shit going on, because of course that would hurt her sales. How about we take off the rose colored glasses here, and start using the same standards we would use to talk about anyone else? I gather from the comments that she did a song with Kid Rock. So we’re just going to be ok with her collaborating with someone who is anti-trans and is loud about it? Wow. Personally, I wouldn’t be able to be in the room with him without telling him exactly how much of a POS he is, but Dolly chose to do a song with him. Are we suddenly ok with the “both sides” crap?
And even when it comes to her donations, as a percentage of income, I bet an awful lot of Mefites donate more every year.
And is no one going to comment on the “In God We Trust” line? Really? She’s out there celebrating a line that shouldn’t even be on our money, because of a little thing called separation of church and state, but hey, she has big hair so we’re ok with it. It’s just fine that she’s pretending that it isn’t belief in god that the right uses to justify all their hate.
Anyway, you can like her as a person (I guess. If you don’t care about trans people, anyway.) without pretending this song is anything other than awful.
posted by MexicanYenta at 9:54 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
For those who are into senior citizen ladies rocking into their golden years and not missing a single step, I give you Wanda Jackson, the queen of rockabilly, belting out Two Shots with Joan Jett and Elle King in her eighties as a chaser.
posted by delfin at 9:55 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by delfin at 9:55 PM on May 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Okay, I am conflicted. Two Shots is so very problematic but also so perky and enjoyable.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:17 AM on May 13, 2023
posted by rmd1023 at 5:17 AM on May 13, 2023
While the album does contain a Queen song (Champions), I feel a pang that AIDS denied us the chance of a Freddie Mercury - Dolly Parton duet.
Just picture "I want to break free" with Freddie in full drag and Dolly wearing the moustache...
posted by cheshyre at 5:36 AM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Just picture "I want to break free" with Freddie in full drag and Dolly wearing the moustache...
posted by cheshyre at 5:36 AM on May 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Ugh, having listened to the ACM performance, that song is... Not good. It is hooky, yes, but it is basically an ode to both-sidesism. "Can't we all just get along" is not the unproblematic message that it might have seemed earlier in her career.
That is not at all surprising coming from Dolly - she knows that most of her success does not come from people who like her despite hating country music and country music fans, for the most part, are conservative people. She manages to straddle the line by saying little that is political and being genuinely open to all people. But having Kid Rock on your record is political now and so is "everyone just needs to be nicer to each other".
posted by jacquilynne at 5:53 AM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
That is not at all surprising coming from Dolly - she knows that most of her success does not come from people who like her despite hating country music and country music fans, for the most part, are conservative people. She manages to straddle the line by saying little that is political and being genuinely open to all people. But having Kid Rock on your record is political now and so is "everyone just needs to be nicer to each other".
posted by jacquilynne at 5:53 AM on May 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
Admittedly, the lead single is a terrible song. But she's a miraculous benevolent unicorn of a human being who's now dabbling in rock music just because she can. So I'm happy for her anyway.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:49 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:49 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
How about we take off the rose colored glasses here, and start using the same standards we would use to talk about anyone else?
Nah, Dolly's doing just fine.
Comments like this never appear in a Taylor Swift thread.
posted by hippybear at 10:55 AM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Nah, Dolly's doing just fine.
Comments like this never appear in a Taylor Swift thread.
posted by hippybear at 10:55 AM on May 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
There is a particular way that Dolly's "let's all be nicer to each other" is pitched that may not register for people who aren't Southern. (Or Black. Plenty of Black aunties are this way too.)
She doesn't mean "ignore the bad shit people do in the name of getting along." She means "all are welcome, including those who do not themselves welcome everybody." But they're gonna hear about it. She'll do it with a smile, with a giggle, and with wit. They may not even register they're being schooled. But it will happen. Everything about Dolly's sweetness is stealthily weaponized. She's fighting for the world she wants, even if the people in her way don't see that about her.
She doesn't embrace conservative people out of lazy both sidesism. She brings them into her tent in a way that dares them to call her out. Why do you think she can do all the stuff she does for the LGBT community and the right wing can't say boo about it?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:31 AM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]
She doesn't mean "ignore the bad shit people do in the name of getting along." She means "all are welcome, including those who do not themselves welcome everybody." But they're gonna hear about it. She'll do it with a smile, with a giggle, and with wit. They may not even register they're being schooled. But it will happen. Everything about Dolly's sweetness is stealthily weaponized. She's fighting for the world she wants, even if the people in her way don't see that about her.
She doesn't embrace conservative people out of lazy both sidesism. She brings them into her tent in a way that dares them to call her out. Why do you think she can do all the stuff she does for the LGBT community and the right wing can't say boo about it?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:31 AM on May 13, 2023 [8 favorites]
I am conflicted between "Ugh, Kid Rock, really?!" and what DirtyOldTown said. Overall she does seem to stealth work for what she wants on people getting along, and as far as I can tell she has good intentions,
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:59 AM on May 13, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:59 AM on May 13, 2023
I wonder if the "posthumous vocals from Ronnie Van Zandt" will themselves be inducted into the inimitable HOF.
posted by scratch at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2023
posted by scratch at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2023
Please sent videos of Gen Zers doing good things in the world, because right now, people doubling down on defending collaborating with nazis are making me lose faith in humanity.
I guess now I know who would have helped to hide my family during WWII, and who would have said it was ok to record songs with people who supported Hitler.
Metafilter: same as it ever was.
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023
I guess now I know who would have helped to hide my family during WWII, and who would have said it was ok to record songs with people who supported Hitler.
Metafilter: same as it ever was.
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:31 PM on May 13, 2023
No one is suggesting this technique could yield good from anyone except Dolly. She's a unicorn of a human being.
I have filled FanFare with movies about the joy of Nazi-killing lately. It's my favorite thing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have filled FanFare with movies about the joy of Nazi-killing lately. It's my favorite thing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:33 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
I mean, my 73 year-old conservative Cumberland Presbyterian mom from Kentucky is pro-LGBT now because she couldn't see how Dolly could be so impassioned and have that wrong when she "doesn't have a cross word to say about anybody."
So you know, fold that into your personal calculus. Dolly's weird way of going about things brings unlikely people onto the side of the angels. On a regular basis.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
So you know, fold that into your personal calculus. Dolly's weird way of going about things brings unlikely people onto the side of the angels. On a regular basis.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Interesting.
Phil Spector produced 'Let it Be' and Dolly did a version of 'To Know Him Is to Love Him'.
posted by clavdivs at 5:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Phil Spector produced 'Let it Be' and Dolly did a version of 'To Know Him Is to Love Him'.
posted by clavdivs at 5:31 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Comments like this never appear in a Taylor Swift thread.
Taylor Swift's most problematic collaborator is probably John Mayer, and she's (seemingly) acknowledged this in her lyrics and probably wouldn't work with him again.
This one Dolly Patron album, recorded while she was already rich and a legend who could work with anyone she wants to, includes extremely transphobic Kid Rock, the late Confederate flag enthusiast Ronnie Van Zant, and Steven Tyler, whose response to being sued for sexual assault by someone who was 16 at the time is to claim immunity because he was her legal guardian (to be fair, it also includes plenty of other people who seem perfectly lovely).
posted by box at 5:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Taylor Swift's most problematic collaborator is probably John Mayer, and she's (seemingly) acknowledged this in her lyrics and probably wouldn't work with him again.
This one Dolly Patron album, recorded while she was already rich and a legend who could work with anyone she wants to, includes extremely transphobic Kid Rock, the late Confederate flag enthusiast Ronnie Van Zant, and Steven Tyler, whose response to being sued for sexual assault by someone who was 16 at the time is to claim immunity because he was her legal guardian (to be fair, it also includes plenty of other people who seem perfectly lovely).
posted by box at 5:48 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
YMMV but for me, low friction people who bring normies over on contentious issues have their value, too.
A lot of people are going to see this as an album that had Kid Rock also has queer people, Black people, progressives and hippies. It's not nothing.
If you're campaigning for a 70+ year-old lady from Appalachia to have zero tolerance for people who like the Confederate flag or have sex with 16 year-olds, I wonder how much you even know about that area.
For me, her removing Confederate from Dollywood and sending several millions books to little kids outs her ahead of the curve for her demo.
But if the good is your enemy, by all means, oppose it and wait for the perfect.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
A lot of people are going to see this as an album that had Kid Rock also has queer people, Black people, progressives and hippies. It's not nothing.
If you're campaigning for a 70+ year-old lady from Appalachia to have zero tolerance for people who like the Confederate flag or have sex with 16 year-olds, I wonder how much you even know about that area.
For me, her removing Confederate from Dollywood and sending several millions books to little kids outs her ahead of the curve for her demo.
But if the good is your enemy, by all means, oppose it and wait for the perfect.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:57 PM on May 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
I’m not campaigning for anything, and I agree that Dolly is more progressive than she has to be, and a lot more than her background would suggest. It seems like it should not be controversial to say that she’s good, but also that she could be better.
posted by box at 6:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 6:21 PM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Wait until you hear about Taylor Swift's new boyfriend. Hooooooo boy.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:22 PM on May 13, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:22 PM on May 13, 2023
What an odd name. Is he an owl?
posted by Grangousier at 2:57 AM on May 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 2:57 AM on May 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
I really want to hear “Baby I Love Your Way” with Peter Frampton and “Long As I Can See the Light’ with John Fogerty. I think her voice would be amazing on those songs.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:22 AM on May 14, 2023
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:22 AM on May 14, 2023
Hah. People have been Googling for Taylor's new boyfriend, Matty Healy (not an owl) and guess what, he says racist shit.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:04 AM on May 14, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:04 AM on May 14, 2023
Matty Healy seems like he sucks, but more in an I-Can-Say-Anything-Because-It's-All-Ironic-and-Meta kind of way than a legit racist/bigot way.
Although, I will add right here my kiddo's reaction to me explaining about Annie Hardy being trolly and button-pushy in Dashcam: "Who gives a crap if racism is ironic or not?"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:32 PM on May 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Although, I will add right here my kiddo's reaction to me explaining about Annie Hardy being trolly and button-pushy in Dashcam: "Who gives a crap if racism is ironic or not?"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:32 PM on May 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you're campaigning for a 70+ year-old lady from Appalachia to have zero tolerance for people who like the Confederate flag or have sex with 16 year-olds, I wonder how much you even know about that area.
It’s 2023. Between television and the internet, everyone knows that this shit isn’t acceptable. Some people just don’t think it’s important. Dolly Parton is not cloistered and naive; she knows it’s wrong. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Please stop making excuses for people who are part of the proble, just because they have some good qualities too.
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:17 PM on May 22, 2023
It’s 2023. Between television and the internet, everyone knows that this shit isn’t acceptable. Some people just don’t think it’s important. Dolly Parton is not cloistered and naive; she knows it’s wrong. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Please stop making excuses for people who are part of the proble, just because they have some good qualities too.
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:17 PM on May 22, 2023
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