The title track storyline is a little to nursery rhyme for me, and I think the mother gets a TERRIBLE rap in Traveling Man. (Did she even know her daughter was dating the Traveling Man? Feel like the Traveling Man is the real, and only, bad person here. Justice for Mother!)
After those two, I love all the songs. Early Morning Breeze was my first hook (if I just saw the lyrics and had to guess the artist I would have been certain. It was Ray LaMontagne). I also really really love Here I Am. Probably my favorite song on the album. Love that it hits big and loud right at the start.
Just great songs, great lyrics, great voice. Very Americana to me.
I'll admit that I was a bit disappointed at first. This record sits at the top of many "greatest country records of all time" lists, and I assumed that because of that, at least one or two of the big Dolly smashes would be on here. That said, by the third listen, I'd let go of that expectation and fell in love with many songs on this record, also appreciating it for the experience that it is.
The title track is spectacular. The story line is so rich and so good. The key change at the 1:50 mark is a classic country move, but it hits every time. My favorite part of "Traveling Man" is Dolly's little spoken word adlib as the song fades out.
I don't know if it's the lazy swung feeling or the lyrics, but "She Never Met A Man" is my favorite on this record. Such a clever and sly way to talk shit on another woman. Dolly sass in full effect.
The last 4 songs on this record gave me similar feelings to Born in the USA in that I'm wondering why the hell some of the strongest, most beautiful tracks on this LP were saved for the end. I can't even pick a favorite. That whole last 4 song run is just perfect. I found myself cheating and jumping to that run, then doing the rest of the record from the top after I'd met the craving for that last 4.
No surprises here. Dolly is one of the greatest of all time and it was very easy to get into this record. Next week's pick (George Michael) was Sean's pick and I'm excited because I've never done a full GM record and have only heard his tunes in passing.
The title track storyline is a little to nursery rhyme for me, and I think the mother gets a TERRIBLE rap in Traveling Man. (Did she even know her daughter was dating the Traveling Man? Feel like the Traveling Man is the real, and only, bad person here. Justice for Mother!)
After those two, I love all the songs. Early Morning Breeze was my first hook (if I just saw the lyrics and had to guess the artist I would have been certain. It was Ray LaMontagne). I also really really love Here I Am. Probably my favorite song on the album. Love that it hits big and loud right at the start.
Just great songs, great lyrics, great voice. Very Americana to me.
RECORD CLUB WEEK #4 THREAD
Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colors (1971)
I'll admit that I was a bit disappointed at first. This record sits at the top of many "greatest country records of all time" lists, and I assumed that because of that, at least one or two of the big Dolly smashes would be on here. That said, by the third listen, I'd let go of that expectation and fell in love with many songs on this record, also appreciating it for the experience that it is.
The title track is spectacular. The story line is so rich and so good. The key change at the 1:50 mark is a classic country move, but it hits every time. My favorite part of "Traveling Man" is Dolly's little spoken word adlib as the song fades out.
I don't know if it's the lazy swung feeling or the lyrics, but "She Never Met A Man" is my favorite on this record. Such a clever and sly way to talk shit on another woman. Dolly sass in full effect.
The last 4 songs on this record gave me similar feelings to Born in the USA in that I'm wondering why the hell some of the strongest, most beautiful tracks on this LP were saved for the end. I can't even pick a favorite. That whole last 4 song run is just perfect. I found myself cheating and jumping to that run, then doing the rest of the record from the top after I'd met the craving for that last 4.
No surprises here. Dolly is one of the greatest of all time and it was very easy to get into this record. Next week's pick (George Michael) was Sean's pick and I'm excited because I've never done a full GM record and have only heard his tunes in passing.