The Essential Dolly Parton (CD - 2005)

Producers include: Dolly Parton, Bob Ferguson, Gary Klein, Ricky Skaggs, Gregg Perry.

Compilation producer: Al Quaglieri.

Recorded between 1970 & 1988. Includes liner notes by Holly George-Warren. Includes liner notes by Holly George-Warren.

Personnel: Dolly Parton (vocals); Emmylou Harris, Kenny Rogers, Porter Wagoner, Ricky Van Shelton, Linda Ronstadt (vocals).

Liner Note Author: Holly George-Warren.

Recording information: 1966-2000.

Photographers: David Hill; Kristin Barlowe; Raeanne Rubenstein; Les Leverett.

Arrangers: Porter Wagoner; Dolly Parton; Gregg Perry; Bill McElhiney; Nick DeCaro; Steve Goldstein.

Though various record labels have released several dozen Dolly Parton greatest-hits and "best of" compilations over the years, few have attempted to effectively encapsulate the artist's enviably long and incredibly varied career in a single disc. THE ULTIMATE DOLLY PARTON goes a long way towards filling this void by collecting choice cuts from nearly every era and musical phase of Dolly's tenure. Beginning with stone-cold country classics like "Coat Of Many Colors" and "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" and proceeding through crossover smashes such as "9 To 5" and "Islands In The Stream," the collection will give the uninitiated more than enough prime Parton to dispel any inkling that the singer is all flash. On the contrary, her uncanny pop sensibility, heartstring-pulling, warbling soprano, and emotional directness are apparent in every single note on this disc, and anyone curious about why Dolly Parton is a cultural icon of the highest order would do well to start here.

One of the most successful and versatile artists in country music, Dolly Parton is a true icon of the genre. With a recording career spanning more than four decades, Parton epitomized country, while always venturing into other territories, including pop and bluegrass. Columbia/Legacy's THE ESSENTIAL DOLLY PARTON (not to be confused with other similarly titled compilations) begins with the striking performer flaunting her charmingly assertive nature with 1966's rollicking "Dumb Blonde," and proceeds in chronological fashion through Parton's slew of '70s hits, including the gentle, folk-like "Coat of Many Colors" and the gorgeous 1974 version of "I Will Always Love You." (The latter two songs, like many on this collection, were written by Parton herself.)

Parton's hits from the late '70s, '80s, and beyond continue on the second disc. Runaway '80s hits "9 to 5" (from the titular film starring Parton) and "Islands in the Stream" (her Bees Gees-penned duet with Kenny Rogers) represent her commercial peak, but the remaining latter-day songs reveal that Parton's talents--particularly her distinctive high, clear voice--were still going strong into the 2000s (most notably on her bluegrass rendition of Collective Soul's rock hit, "Shine"). For those looking for the best overview of Parton's career, this 37-track set is it. minimize