Just Because I'm a Woman...

First off, to clear up confusion right away, this post does not concern drag queens or any of those "trans" words that often find their way into homosexual society, and the definitions of which I can never keep straight (so to speak).  Those words are transsexual, transvestite transgender, and so on.  If someone wants to educate me, feel free to toss me an e-mail.

This is instead about the recent Dolly Parton tribute album which just came out this month, called "Just Because I'm a Woman."  The song was one of the singles on her 1968 album of the same name, and is, I think, a fitting album for the theme this tribute album took.

For those of you unfamiliar with this album, basically 12 of today's most popular female artists were invited to record their own renditions of some of Dolly's best tunes.  I'll do my brief opinion of each one now.

1.  "9 to 5" by Alison Krauss.  I really don't much care for this one.  I like the more upbeat original version.  Alison takes it too slowly, in my opinion, and it comes across as rather lethargic.

2.  "I Will Always Love You" by Melissa Etheridge.  I really haven't succeeded in formulating an opinion on this one yet.  I think it's going to grow on me though.  Of course, this tune is one of my all-time favorite Dolly classics, so it's only natural that other renderings may take some time to find their way into my heart.

3.  "The Grass is Blue" by Norah Jones.  This is the only Dolly song for which I don't have a recording; a sad truth that I plan to fix later this week, thanks.  However, I like this rendering, and I can imagine how Dolly would do it too, so it's all good.

4.  "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" by Joan Osborne.  This is nice.  I do sort of miss the harmonic vocals in Dolly's version, but whatever.

5.  "The Seeker" by Shelby Lynne.  Truth be told, this isn't a favorite Dolly song of mine.  Therefore, I don't have a great deal of opinion for this version, except I do like the way it starts out.

6.  "Jolene" by Mindy Smith.  Mindy is a newcomer to the recording industry, and the only artist who was unknown before this album was recorded.  However, for a rookie, she does a pretty good job with turning this very well-known song into her own, unique creation.  According to the liner notes, Dolly was "blown away" when she heard a rough mix of the recording.

7.  "To Daddy" by Emmylou Harris.  When Emmylou Harris first heard this song back in the 70s, before Dolly even had a chance to record it herself, she asked if she could have it.  25 years later, Emmy finally records it, and in my opinion, does a beautiful job with it.

8.  "Coat of Many Colors" by Shania Twain.  This one is growing on me.  I like the song, and I'm growing increasingly fond of Shania's rendering.  However, I have to confess that it does mess with my cosmic harmony to hear Dolly doing back up vocal harmonics.  Dolly?  Backing up Shania?  I ask you...

9.  "Little Sparrow" by Kasey Chambers.  This is my new favorite Dolly song.  In fact, I'm going to post the lyrics right after I finish this post.  The song makes me happy, both Dolly's way and Kasey's.

10. "Dagger Through The Heart" by Sinead O'Connor.  Despite serious misgivings about this one, I actually do find that I like it a good deal.  Sinead recorded it because she said she could really respond to the anger in it.  Not so sure I've ever heard anger.  Heartbreak, yes.  Anger no.  However, Sinead's version doesn't strike me as particularly angry.  Another gem from the liner notes...when Dolly did a video for this song, she was inspired by Sinead's video for "Nothing Compares 2 U".  Serendipity, my friends.

11. "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" by Allison Moorer.  I like Dolly's version better.  Again, it's all about being upbeat.  Allison approaches it with a more contemplative style.  Nice, but if I'm needing some cheering up, it's gonna take Dolly.

12.  "Two Doors Down" by Me'shell N'degeocello.  I'm really trying to like this song, and it's really not happening.  The style just doesn't work for me.

As a bonus track, Dolly herself does a new version of "Just Because I'm a Woman".  I haven't decided which one I like more - this one, or the original.  They're both so Dolly, and both so different, that I really can't choose.

I think next year I'm going to take a mini-vacation to Dollywood.  Especially if my dream-trip to London doesn't work out.