Disco de Dolly Parton: “Trio”

If you don't have a copy of this CD -- you should! Even if you think you don't like traditional Appalachian music and harmonies, give it a shot. I first heard these three singers had gotten together and planned to do an album together back in the 1970's. It took them 10 years to give us the finished product. By that time CDs had come along, and I bought it on CD. It was well worth the wait. Somehow the three voices blended together are uniquely right. The song selection here is much better than on Trio II. It starts with "The Pain of Loving You," a wonderful song Dolly first wrote and sang with Porter Wagoner in the 1970's. It sounds like the traditional mountain music the original Carter Family might have sung in the 1920's -- back when commercial Country Music was first born. Of course that is the kind of music Dolly, born in 1946, was raised on -- the music of the Carter Family and even older folk songs that brought to America by the first colonists from the British Isles. "Making Plans" is just a very lovely traditional Country song. Dolly first sang it with Porter, but the version here benefits from the angelic harmonies. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" is the old pop standard. This was a hit when it was released from this CD -- and a video of it is still sometimes shown on CMT. "Hobo's Meditation" was written by the "Father of Country Music," Jimmie Rodgers who cut his first record the same day the original Carter Family cut theirs. Linda Ronstadt takes the lead vocal and does a fine job, though it it a man's song. "Wildflowers" is a fine autobiographical song Dolly wrote about how she had to leave her mountain home to make a success in the outside world: "I uprooted myself from my home ground and left. Took my dreams and I took to the road..." "Telling Me Lies" is an absolutely gorgeous lament by Linda with harmony vocals from Dolly and Emmylou. The harmonies on this one song are worth the price of the CD. "My Dear Companion" is a song by Jean Ritchie that sounds like a traditional folk song. "Those Memories of You" is a bluegrass song where Dolly takes the lead vocal and shows everyone how perfect her voice is for bluegrass. No wonder bluegrass fans were so eager to hear her debut bluegrass CD, "The Grass is Blue." "I've Had Enough" is a lovely song but I can't remember it very well, so I can't say much about it. "Rosewood Casket" is a traditional song Dolly must have learned from her mother. No doubt that's why Avie Lee Parton is given a credit for the musical arrangement used here. "Rosewood Casket" sounds like Victorian parlor music that found its way into the folk tradition in the Appalachian Mountains. "Farther Along" is a traditional Gospel song that has the most beautiful harmonies. If angels don't sound like this -- they should!

I remember hearing in 1977 that Dolly, Linda and Emmylou planned to record an album together but I was very surprised when it actually happened ten years later after several false starts. It was certainly worth the wait - indeed, I think it is the finest album that any of them have recorded, separately or together. Given how highly I rate so many of their solo albums, that is saying something special.

Some of the songs may be familiar. To know him is to love him is an early Phil Spector song, which was a huge hit in the fifties for the Teddy bears and was successfully revived in the sixties by Peter and Gordon. Both of those versions pale by comparison with the version here.

Making plans is a Johnny Russell song that Dolly previously covered as a duet with Porter Wagoner. They had a number two country hit with it, only being blocked from the top spot by Old flames can't hold a candle to you, a solo single by Dolly.

The pain of loving you, written by Dolly, is another song previously recorded as a duet by Porter and Dolly. Farther along is a gospel standard. It shares the same tune as Green pastures, a song that Emmylou recorded for her Roses in the snow album. My dear companion is a song by Jean Ritchie, who has written several great songs. Rosewood casket is a traditional song of unknown origin. Hobo's meditation is a song from the pen of the singing brakeman, Jimmie Rodgers. Wildflowers is a song that Dolly wrote about leaving her mountain home in a quest for success. Those memories of you is a cover of a hitherto little-known bluegrass song. Telling me lies and I've had enough are also brilliant.

Any fan of traditional country music should listen to this, the best such album I've ever heard or am ever likely to hear.

This memorable collaboration remains a masterpiece of heavenly harmonies on some timeless songs by Parton, Phil Spector, Jimmie Rodgers, Linda Thompson and Kate McGarrigle plus traditional country classics. There is also plenty of stylistic variety, from the uptempo country wailer The Pain Of Loving You, through the lilting ballad Making Plans to the elegant interpretation of the Spector classic To Know Him Is To Love Him.

The three songbirds take turns with the main vocals, e.g. the authentic piece of Americana, Hobo's Meditation with Linda on lead is followed by the breezy song Wildflowers with Dolly taking lead, but of course the most impressive sound is where they all sing together.

One of my favorites on an album of consistent listening pleasure is the fragile and soulful My Dear Companion. The rhythmic Rosewood Casket with its lovely nostalgic imagery follows the tender and melancholy I've Had Enough. The album closes with the gripping spiritual Farther Along, an achingly beautiful and uplifting song.

The song selection is superb and the singing is a triumph as the strengths of the three singers' voices are brought to the fore in all the right places and they blend perfectly. I am primarily an Emmylou fan, but every one of the trio deserves equal credit on this one. Western Wall is another great harmony album, with just Emmylou and Linda Ronstadt but the sound is more folk than country. Trio is highly recommend to fans of all three artists, and provides a great listening experience.

These three musicians sound so great together. I don't know why it took me so many years to learn about this recording. I already liked them as solo performers, so having them collaborate is truly a treat. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of listening to this CD.

I first purchased this recording when it was first released. My Mother and I used to ride in the car, playing this CD and sing along. It took me back to my childhood days of simpler, more basic music with a hymn-base and beautiful harmonies. I love this album, but let it get away from me during my Mother's illness. When she passed away, I happened upon it on AMAZON once again; and never cease to be amazed at it's ability to soothe and comfort me. The music is beautiful, the ladies are beautiful, and the price is right!