Dolly Parton Album: “I Believe”

It's funny...the previous reviewer states how this album was originally issued on vinyl as "Golden Streets of Glory". Well the cd that I have is called "Golden Streets of Glory" and it does feature Dolly gazing out of the window with a big hairdo. Plus it has also been remastered which is nice. The songs are in a slightly different order to those listed here, but otherwise are exactly the same. I am not an overly religious person, but to listen to this album you do not need to be. They are uplifting songs that are bound to make you feel good. Highly recommended no matter what your religion. Your soul will thank you.

This is a re-issue of Dolly's gospel album, Golden streets of glory, with the tracks re-sequenced and different (inferior) artwork. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the cassette version only features eight tracks but I cannot confirm this.

Dolly has recorded a fair number of gospel songs or songs that could be interpreted as gospel songs, but this 1970 album was the first (and for a long time, only) full gospel album that she did. Dolly eventually recorded a second gospel album, Precious memories, but this was never put on general sale so is not easy to get, especially for those of us who do not live in America. This album, like all of Dolly's early albums, was recorded in a simple, traditional country style.

Seven of the songs here are originals written by Dolly or members of her family. Of these, I particularly like The master's hand (since covered by the New Coon Creek Girls) and the title track but all the original songs are wonderful. Three famous gospel songs are also included, these being I believe (the most successful gospel song in British chart history, though sadly not because of Dolly's version), How great thou art and Wings of a dove.

This album was a rarity on vinyl so it was particularly good to see it made available on CD.

I loved this album and played it over and over, it really brings you closer to Jesus!! Thank you Dolly!!!!!

"I Believe" is in essence a re-release of Dolly Parton's 1971 masterpiece gospel album "The Golden Streets of Glory that went to # 22 on the charts. This marks the second time "The Golden Streets of Glory" has surfaced in CD format, with the original coming out in 1993. The album has become Dolly's rarest album with the original vinyl going for a lot of money. It actually took me over 20 years to get a copy of the original LP and it's wonderful that these recordings are on CD. Dolly does a great rendition of Bob Ferguson's "Wings of A Dove" and the gem here is the Dolly written "The Master's Hand" and the title track. Ferguson also produced the album along with Porter Wagoner who receives no label credit as was the custom for Dolly's albums in the early "70's. No singles were released from the album, but a song called "Coming For To Carry Me Home" was a Dolly minor hit, but at the last minute was dropped from the full length album, but nobody seems to know why. The CD features 10 tracks and the cover is beautiful with Dolly wearing whats known to her fans as her "Lynn Anderson Hair". The original Dolly album also had a painting of a golden street featured to the left of the LP, but unfortunately it is not on the CD release. Dolly also has 2 other gospel CD's available although they are no where near as great as this; "Precious Memories" from 1999 and "For God and Country" from 2003.