Just Because I'm a Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton

Its Joan Osborne who sums it up best in the promotional material accompanying this tribute album: " Dolly Parton is a gifted artist cleverly disguised as a media superstar and sex bomb." Osbornes got it right. Beyond and beneath Partons well-publicized and oft-caricatured curves and angles, lurks the heart and soul of one of modern country musics very best songwriters--the best, perhaps, since the great Loretta Lynn. In fitting celebration of the 35th anniversary of the release of Just Because Im A Woman, Partons very first solo album, contemporary leading ladies of country and pop, including Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Joan Osborne, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, and Sinead OConnor have offered up worthy new interpretations of some of Partons classic compositions. That said, some of the highlights here are from lesser-known singers: Mindy Smiths haunting rendition of "Jolene," Kasey Chambers bitter-sweet take on "Little Sparrow," and Allison Moorers tender turn on "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning." --Bob Allen

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