| Blue Smoke | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 31, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 46:43 | |||
| Label | Dolly Records Sony Masterworks | |||
| Dolly Parton chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Blue Smoke | ||||
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Blue Smoke is the forty-fourth solo studio album by American country entertainer Dolly Parton. The album was released in Australia and New Zealand on January 31, 2014, in North America on May 13, 2014, in Ireland on June 6, 2014, and in Europe on June 9, 2014.
Parton mentioned working on a new album in July 2013. [2] In December 2013, Parton announced that the album would be released through a partnership between Parton's Dolly Records and Sony Masterworks. [3] [4]
The name, Blue Smoke, was inspired by the mist that covers the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. [5] The album features a duet with Kenny Rogers on "You Can't Make Old Friends", which was originally released on his 2013 album of the same name. The song debuted on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in December 2013 and reached a peak of number 57, becoming Parton's first chart entry since "Jesus and Gravity" peaked at number 56 in 2008. The album also includes a new recording of "From Here to the Moon and Back" with Willie Nelson, which was also on Nelson's 2013 album, To All the Girls... . Parton previously recorded and performed the song with Kris Kristofferson in Joyful Noise , and it was featured on the movie's soundtrack release. Blue Smoke also includes covers of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and Bon Jovi's "Lay Your Hands on Me".
In the UK, a special version of the album, titled Blue Smoke – The Best Of, was released on June 9, 2014, in conjunction with the European leg of the Blue Smoke World Tour . It features the standard album, plus a bonus disc with 20 of Parton's greatest hits, most of which feature in the tour set list.
Three songs featured on the album had previously been recorded by Parton.
The Blue Smoke World Tour was officially announced on The Queen Latifah Show on October 21, 2013, where she performed a song from the album, "Miss You, Miss Me". [6] In December 2013, Parton discussed the album and tour on Access Hollywood . [7] The tour will serve as the main promotional vehicle behind the album. [8] On April 14, 2014, Parton appeared on AXS TV's The Big Interview to discuss the album, tour, and other aspects of her career with Dan Rather. [9] Parton also signed on to become one of the headlining acts of the Glastonbury Festival to promote the album in the United Kingdom in June 2014. [10] On April 27, 2014, Parton performed on QVC's Q Sessions Live, where she performed several songs from the album along with past hits. [11] Also on April 27, the entire album became available to stream for free on National Public Radio. [12] Yahoo! Music hosted a series of videos of Parton discussing her album, life, and career leading up to the album's release. [13] Parton appeared on Today on the album's release date where she performed in the show's Toyota Concert Series. [14] Parton also promoted the album by offering fans a free digital copy of Blue Smoke if they pre-ordered the album from Walmart. [15]
The title track was released as a single ahead of the album release in Australia and New Zealand in December 2013. [16] On March 18, 2014, the single was released elsewhere via iTunes. It was also available for immediate download with pre-order of the album. The second single is "Home" and Parton filmed a video in Tennessee for the song. [17] "Home" was written by Parton and Kent Wells, and was released as a single with a music video on May 28, 2014. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a girl who left her home at age 17 to follow her dreams and is now returning after many years, which she describes fondly. The song is considered to be autobiographical of Parton.[ citation needed ]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 81/100 [18] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| The A.V. Club | B+ [19] |
| AllMusic |    [20] |
| American Songwriter | [21] |
| CCM Magazine | [22] |
| Country Weekly | A− [23] |
| Exclaim! | 7/10 [24] |
| Paste | 8.3/10 [25] |
| Slant Magazine | [26] |
Blue Smoke received general acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, they assign a rating out of 100 to selected independent reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 81, based on 8 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim". [18] At Country Weekly , Jon Freeman graded the album an A−, stating that "On Blue Smoke, the country legend travels many different paths and sounds only like herself." [23] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, writing that "Perhaps there are no permanent additions to her canon here, but the remarkable thing is how satisfying an album this is: it sounds good and the songs are sturdy, proof that Parton is far from resting on her laurels." [20] At Paste , Holly Gleason rated the album an 8.3 out of ten, saying that the artist "Finding a strong balance between art and slick, Parton continues walking a line of what people expect and her heart. She just gets better with age." [25] Marah Eakin of The A.V. Club graded the album a B+, stating that the release shows how Parton "handily harnesses those charms [...] coupled with that stellar musicality, of course [...] to produce an absolutely lovely LP." [19]
At The Boston Globe , James Reed gave a positive review of the album, writing that "even when Parton goes camp and piles on the gloss, there's still a big heart beating beneath the album's surface, much like the artist herself." [27] At American Songwriter , Eric Allen rated the album four stars out of five, stating that "Blue Smoke easily hits its mark of making us look within ourselves while laughing through our tears." [21] Joe Sweeney of Slant Magazine rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that in "the vividness and genuine conviction in that timeless, still-powerful voice finds the humanity in all of it", and in so doing "the country legend mainlines one greeting-card sentiment after another, singing about angels, rainbows, moons, and fishing holes with reckless abandon." [26] At Exclaim! , Thierry Côté rated the album a seven out of ten, writing that "It is an album of small pleasures, an eclectic collection of songs that showcases many of the qualities that have made the Tennessee singer such a vital force in country music for five decades." [24] Andy Argyrakis of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars out of five, commenting how "Parton's cheer, humor and candor continue on this stripped-down, catchy collection" that "continues her popularity resurgence with another rootsy record consisting of many personally penned tunes." [22]
In the US, Blue Smoke debuted at number 6 with first-week sales of 37,000 copies. [28] It was Parton's highest-charting, and first top 10, solo album ever. Its first week sales were her best sales week for a solo project. Blue Smoke also logged her best debut rank on Top Country Albums in 23 years, entering at No. 2.
In the UK, Blue Smoke proved to be Parton's most successful album ever, spending 12 weeks in the top 10 UK Albums Chart, with a peak position of number 2 in the seventh week. It was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on July 4, 2014, Gold on July 18, 2014, and Platinum on December 12, 2014. [29] The album has sold over 400,000 copies in the UK as of August 2016. [30]
All tracks are written by Dolly Parton, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blue Smoke" | 3:33 | |
| 2. | "Unlikely Angel" | 3:23 | |
| 3. | "Don't Think Twice" | Bob Dylan | 3:21 |
| 4. | "You Can't Make Old Friends" (duet with Kenny Rogers) |
| 3:57 |
| 5. | "Home" |
| 3:22 |
| 6. | "Banks of the Ohio" |
| 3:48 |
| 7. | "Lay Your Hands on Me" | 4:13 | |
| 8. | "Miss You–Miss Me" | 4:00 | |
| 9. | "If I Had Wings" | 4:06 | |
| 10. | "Lover du Jour" | 4:11 | |
| 11. | "From Here to the Moon and Back" (duet with Willie Nelson) | 4:02 | |
| 12. | "Try" | 4:47 | |
| Total length: | 46:43 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Get Up, Get Out, Get On" | 2:55 |
| 14. | "Olive Branch" | 3:09 |
| 15. | "Early Morning Breeze" | 2:57 |
| 16. | "Angels in the Midst" | 3:12 |
| Total length: | 58:56 | |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Will Always Love You" | 3:07 | |
| 2. | "9 to 5" | 3:01 | |
| 3. | "Jolene" | 2:42 | |
| 4. | "Together You and I" | 3:59 | |
| 5. | "Islands in the Stream" (duet with Kenny Rogers) | 4:11 | |
| 6. | "Here You Come Again" | 2:55 | |
| 7. | "Coat of Many Colors" | 3:05 | |
| 8. | "Little Sparrow" | 4:14 | |
| 9. | "Love Is Like a Butterfly" | 2:22 | |
| 10. | "My Tennessee Mountain Home" | 3:09 | |
| 11. | "In the Ghetto" | Mac Davis | 2:49 |
| 12. | "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (with Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn) |
| 2:25 |
| 13. | "Sacred Memories" | 2:44 | |
| 14. | "Applejack" | 3:27 | |
| 15. | "Two Doors Down" | 3:06 | |
| 16. | "Baby I'm Burning" | 2:38 | |
| 17. | "Better Get to Livin'" |
| 3:36 |
| 18. | "The Sacrifice" | 3:28 | |
| 19. | "From Here to the Moon and Back" (with Kris Kristofferson and Jeremy Jordan) | 4:26 | |
| 20. | "Better Day" | 3:19 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Two Doors Down" (Live from London) | 4:16 | |
| 2. | "Jolene" (Live from London) | 3:00 | |
| 3. | "Here You Come Again" (Live from London) |
| 2:58 |
| 4. | "9 to 5" (Live from London) | 3:15 | |
| 5. | "I Will Always Love You" (Live from London) | 4:32 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) [45] | Platinum | 401,584 [30] |
| United States | — | 88,000 [46] |
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | January 31, 2014 | CD, digital download | Dolly Records/Sony Masterworks |
| New Zealand | |||
| North America | May 13, 2014 | CD, LP, digital download | |
| Republic of Ireland | June 6, 2014 | CD, digital download | |
| Europe | June 9, 2014 | CD, LP, digital download |
Jolene is the thirteenth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on February 4, 1974, by RCA Victor. The title track, "Jolene", tells the tale of a housewife confronting a beautiful seductress who she believes is having an affair with her husband. It became Parton's second solo number-one country single; it also was a moderate pop hit for her, and also did well in the United Kingdom. Since the introduction of downloads to the Official Chart in 2005, it has amassed 255,300 downloads and 6.68 million streams. It has been covered by numerous performers.
Coat of Many Colors is the eighth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on October 4, 1971, by RCA Victor. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1972 CMA Awards. It also appeared on Time magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time and at No. 257 on Rolling Stone's 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Parton has cited the title track on numerous occasions as her personal favorite of all the songs she has written.
Trio II is the second collaborative studio album by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. It was released on February 9, 1999, by Asylum Records.
Rhinestone is the soundtrack album from the 1984 film of the same name starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone. It was released on June 18, 1984, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Mike Post and Parton. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 135 on the Billboard 200. The Dolly Parton-composed soundtrack produced two top ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You", which peaked at numbers one and ten, respectively.
The Best of Dolly Parton is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on November 9, 1970, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It includes some of Parton's early hits, a few non-single album tracks, and two previously unreleased tracks. The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The single, "Mule Skinner Blues " peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned Parton a nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 12, 1978, for sales of 500,000 copies.
Eagle When She Flies is the thirty-first solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on March 7, 1991, by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Steve Buckingham and Gary Smith, with Parton serving as executive producer. It continues Parton's return to mainstream country sounds following 1989's White Limozeen. The album features collaborations with Lorrie Morgan and Ricky Van Shelton, with additional supporting vocals provided by Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. The album was a commercial success, becoming Parton's first solo album to peak at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart since 1980s 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs. It was certified Platinum in by the RIAA in 1992. The album spawned four singles, the most successful being "Rockin' Years" with Ricky Van Shelton, which topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. In support of the album, Parton embarked on the Eagle When She Flies Tour, her only concert tour of the 1990s.
My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy is the fourth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 8, 1969, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 194 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned three singles: "Daddy", "In the Ghetto", and the title track. "Daddy" was the most successful, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The Fairest of Them All is the fifth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on February 2, 1970, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album's only single, "Daddy Come and Get Me", peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Hungry Again is the thirty-fifth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on August 25, 1998, by Decca Records and Blue Eye Records. The album was produced by Parton and her cousin, Richie Owens. It is seen as a predecessor to Parton's critically acclaimed bluegrass trilogy, The Grass Is Blue, Little Sparrow, and Halos & Horns.
Treasures is the thirty-fourth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 24, 1996, by Rising Tide Records and Blue Eye Records. The Steve Buckingham-produced album is made up of covers of rock and country hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and spawned three singles: "Just When I Needed You Most", which peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart; a dance remix of "Peace Train", which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Music chart; and a dance remix of "Walking on Sunshine". The album's release was accompanied by a CBS television special, Dolly Parton: Treasures.
Something Special is the thirty-third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on August 22, 1995, by Columbia Records and Blue Eyes records. In addition to seven new Parton compositions, the album includes updated versions of three classics from Parton's repertoire: "Jolene", "The Seeker", and "I Will Always Love You", the latter of which was performed as a duet with Vince Gill. The Gill duet, Parton's third recording of the song, reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Parton's highest charting single in four years. Additionally, it was named "Vocal Event of the Year" by the Country Music Association.
Halos & Horns is the thirty-ninth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on July 9, 2002, by Sugar Hill Records and Blue Eye Records. It is the third album in Parton's critically acclaimed bluegrass trilogy, continuing her experimentation with folk and bluegrass sounds. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2003, while "Dagger Through the Heart" and "I'm Gone" were both nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Parton embarked on her first tour in 10 years in support of the album. The sold-out Halos & Horns Tour played 25 shows throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The album tracks "These Old Bones" and "Sugar Hill" were adapted into episodes of Dolly Parton's Heartstrings in 2019.
For God and Country is the fortieth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on November 11, 2003, by Welk Music Group and Blue Eye Records. The album was produced by Parton with Kent Wells and Tony Smith. It is considered Parton's musical attempt to deal with the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Included are covers of famous patriotic songs and new Parton originals. The album is perhaps best remembered for its cover photo, depicting Parton posing as though appearing in a vintage USO poster.
Those Were the Days is the forty-first solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on October 11, 2005, by Sugar Hill Records and Blue Eye Records. The album is a collection of covers of 1960s and 1970s folk and pop songs performed in a bluegrass style, some featuring the artists who originally recorded them. Parton supported the album with The Vintage Tour from August through December 2005.
Backwoods Barbie is the forty-second solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on February 26, 2008, by Dolly Records. The album was Parton's first mainstream country album in nearly a decade and marked the first release on Parton's own label. Parton embarked on the Backwoods Barbie Tour with 64 dates across North America and Europe from March through November 2008 to support the album.
Better Day is the forty-third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on June 28, 2011, by Dolly Records and Warner Music Nashville. The album was produced by Parton and Kent Wells. To promote the album, Parton embarked on her Better Day World Tour. With 49 shows, the tour visited North America, Europe, and Australia.
Pure & Simple is the forty-fifth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released worldwide on August 19, 2016 by Dolly Records and RCA Nashville. “Pure & Simple“ is Dolly Parton's seventh #1 country album. It is her first #1 country album in 25 years.
I Believe in You is the forty-sixth solo studio album and first children's album by American country music singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released digitally on September 29, 2017, and physically on October 13, 2017, by Dolly Records and RCA Nashville. All proceeds from the album's sales will go to benefit Parton's Imagination Library.
Dumplin' is the soundtrack album by American country music singer-songwriter Dolly Parton for the 2018 film of the same name. It was released on November 30, 2018, by Dolly Records and RCA Nashville. The album features guest performances by Elle King, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Sia, Mavis Staples and Rhonda Vincent, among others.
Run, Rose, Run is the forty-eighth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released March 4, 2022, through Parton's own Butterfly Records. The album was produced by Parton with Richard Dennison and Tom Rutledge. It is a companion album to the novel of the same name, co-written by Parton and James Patterson. The album was preceded by the release of the singles "Big Dreams and Faded Jeans" and "Blue Bonnet Breeze". On March 21, 2022, it was announced that Parton would star in and produce a film adaptation of the novel from Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine.
