Dolly Parton has done it all - and then some. She turned 77 this year and shows no signs of slowing down. In the past two years alone, she was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, launched a line of clothing and accessories for dogs ('Doggy Parton'), guest starred as an angel in the final season of Grace and Frankie, appeared in an NBC special titled Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas, co-hosted the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, was named an Honory Member of the American Library Association and published a book about the iconic looks of her career titled Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones. And now, as if anyone doubted her rockstar status, she has released Rockstar, her rock-influenced 49th studio album featuring nine original songs and stellar collaborations with rock legends including Steven Tyler, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, Pat Benatar and Sir Paul McCartney.
The album is a testament to Dolly’s talent and versatility; she has managed to add her unique Dolly magic to classic rock song while staying true to the essence of the originals. I’m always a little apprehensive when I hear that an artist is recording a cover of a classic (sometimes it’s best not to mess with a good thing in my opinion) but I should have known that all of the songs on Rockstar would turn out more than great in Dolly’s very capable acrylic-nailed hands.
There are almost as many versions of the album as there are tracks on it: a four-LP version is available in nine different colors of vinyl with five different covers, a standard two CD edition, a special CD Vols Edition featuring a live version of Rocky Top as well as the digital version of the album and a download exclusive version from her official store that includes Two Tickets To Paradise and a version of Jolene with Måneskin. I opted for the CD box set (presented in a case resembling a box for concert equipment) with a cover of Dolly in a skimpy lacy number behind the leopard print wheel of a car, as well as the Barnes & Noble exclusive vinyl with Dolly strumming an electric guitar in full black (p)leather gear.
Standout tracks for me include: World On Fire (Dolly calling our attention to the tenuous state of the planet and greedy politicians with a hard-hitting chorus: “Liar, liar the world's on fire / Whatcha gonna do when it all burns down?”); Wrecking Ball (a powerful duet with her goddaughter, Miley on which their vocals blend seamlessly); Heart Of Glass (an updated version of the 1978 hit featuring Blondie’s iconic frontwoman, Debbie Harry); Let It Be (the ever popular Beatle classic featuring the surviving Beatles, Paul and Ringo, as well as Peter Frampton and Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood) and What’s Up (a cover of the formative 4 Non Blondes hit from my teen years featuring Linda Perry).
There are a couple of tracks that are less appealing to me. I have no idea why she chose to collaborate with the anti-vaxxer asshole known for his inflammatory and homophobic comments, Kid Rock; I refuse to listen to track 7. In addition, Open Arms, Night Moves and Stairway To Heaven are my least favorite songs. I also think the guitar solos on some of the tracks go on a little long for my liking (I'm looking at you Purple Rain) - yes, I am aware of the album’s title but at some point, the guitar becomes a little monotonous.
The complete tracklist is as follows:
1. Rockstar (with special guest Richie Sambora)
2. World on Fire
3. Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)
4. Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)
5. Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
6. Long as I Can See the Light (feat. John Fogerty)
7. Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
8. I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
9. 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 and 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 and 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 guests 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)
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