Dolly Parton Album: “Collection [Germany]”

This will be short but sweet...if you've always wanted to own the brilliant music from Dolly's "Great Pretender" album, this is the one to own. Sure there are some wonderful other tracks included but this contains that album in its entirety in its original sequence. The GP is one of my favorite albums of all time and I couldn't wait to receive this disc after I ordered it. I'm thrilled to have it and have played it a ton.

Additionally, the "Great Pretender" album was produced by Val Garay (who I believe also worked with The Motels). Wonderful arrangements and spectacular delivery. A treat all around! You'll also love Dolly's version of "Harper Valley PTA".

COLLECTION is a Germany import, which includes all the tracks from the ultra rare 1984 album THE GREAT PRETENDER, along with some extra tracks. THE GREAT PRETENDER included all sorts of songs that Dolly had covered, including "Save The Last Dance For me", "Downtown", "I Walk The Line", "Elusive Butterfly", "Turn Turn Turn", "She Don't Love You", "We Had It All", "We'll Sing In The Sunshine", "I Can't Help Myself" and "Great Pretender". I think this is worth owning for these songs as she offers a unique take on them. While it doesn't measure to her 1996 covers album TREASURES, its still a solid effort. The bonus tracks include covers of "Harper Valley PTA" and "Divorce", as well as her past hits "I Will Always Love You", "Here You Come Again", "Jolene", and "9 to 5". Overall this is the CD to get if you've been looking for her 1984 album THE GREAT PRETENDER, here it is.

With this import CD, you get all the tracks from Dolly's 1984 album "The Great Pretender" along with a few more songs. Most of the tracks are cover songs of other people's hits like Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line", Tony Orlando's "She Don't Love You Like I Love You", even the Four Top's "Sugar Pie Honey Bun" all get Dolly's touch. We all know that Dolly is at her best when she is holding the pen that writes the songs and her three standbys: "Jolene", "I Will Always Love You" and "9 To 5" are included. The most interesting tracks are two from 1968. Dolly's version of "Harper Valley PTA" and Tammy Wynett's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and pure country and make me wish that more of her early material was avaialble on CD in the US.