Disco de Dolly Parton: “Platinum & Gold Collection”

About once a year releases yet another compilation of Dolly Parton. Last year it was "The Ultimate Collection," the year before that it was "RCA Country Legends," and before that it was another of the umpteen billion compilations they have flooded the market with over the years. This year it is "Platinum & Gold Collection" The difference between all these compilations? Very little. All contain songs like "Here You Come Again," "9 to 5," etc. which are available on literally dozens of other compilations released over the years and concentrate on her more pop oriented work rather that her earlier country work most of which has been out of print for year. Sure, this package, like many of the others, do give a token nod to her country roots with songs like "Jolene," and "Coat of Many Colors," but as great as these songs are (and they are spectacular) they are readily available elsewhere.

Let's face it. The world does not need another compilation of Dolly Parton made up of songs like "Here You Come Again," "9 to 5," "Potential New Boyfriend," "Old Flames," "Two Doors Down," etc. What we need is either a comprehensive reissue program of Parton albums from 1975 backwards or a first rate, comprehensives compilation of this period. But as utterly clueless as BMG is I wouldn't hold my breath.

The 2 reviewers with the 1 star are just carping about the existence of too many Dolly comps. O.K., but that doesn't address the substance of this album. This album is a good, quick overview of some of Dolly's songs from the early stuff to mid 80s. It is most definitely not an exhaustive collection of all her work. It does well as an introduction, and there's nothing wrong with that.

About ever year or so BMG decides that there just aren't enough "best of" compilations by Dolly Parton on the market and that what the world really, really, really needs is yet another one with "9 to 5," "Here You Come Again," "Old Flames," "Potential New Boyfriend" and "Two Doors Down" on it. Here is this year's. If you haven't bought it yet don't worry, there are dozens of them like it out there and 2005 will, no doubt, bring us another one while literally hundreds of Parton songs sit in the BMG vaults gathering dust and many, many, many of her original albums remains out of print and have never even been released on CD a format that is over 20 years old. Such a shame to treat such a talent in such a contemptible way.

Worthless.

RCA's newest budget-line series, "Platinum & Gold Collection," is the latest to feature an entry by Dolly. It's not a bad place to start for the price, since the sound quality is far better than most collections in this range offer. It's opens with 1971's "Joshua," her first #1, and closes with 1983's "Potential New Boyfriend," a top 20 on both the country and club charts. Other hits included are staples like "Coat of Many Colors," "9 to 5," "Here You Come Again" and "Two Doors Down." One of my favorites is the often overlooked 1969 track "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy," which unfortunately only made it to #45 on the charts (although I'm sure it would have done better in later years after her success of songs like "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene." This is a nice introduction to Dolly for new fans and touches on different stages of her music for RCA, even including the Porter Wagoner duet "Burning the Midnight Oil." Not by any means complete or comprehensive, but is one of the better budget-comps out there. (Even contains a few liner notes as well as chart positions.)