I apologize in advance. This week's album choice is predictable and, honestly, an excuse for me to be pedantic and act like I know more than certain news organizations (specifically CBS... again!).
This
week, as you likely heard, Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband of almost
59 years, passed away at the age of 82. Given that Dolly Parton is a
national treasure, I believe I speak for an entire nation when I say
that our thoughts and prayers are with her at this time (which sounds
cheesy and even a little sarcastic, but it's true). They met at the
Wishy Washy Laundromat (I just love saying that name) the day she moved
to Nashville in 1964. They were married in 1966 and the rest is
history. He preferred to stay out of the limelight and good for him for
being able to do it all those years while being married to... well...
Dolly Figgin' Parton!
So...
my issue with the news... when the story broke this week, the news
organizations led into the story with Dolly's 1974 song "I Will Always
Love You." (That's right--it's Dolly's song. Whitney Houston can suck
it! Yeah, I said it...) And while that's a nice sentiment for a
marriage that lasted nearly six decades, and while Dolly even said it herself in
a post a couple days later in which she thanked everyone for their well
wishes, the song had nothing to do with Carl Dean. In fact, as of this
Friday, she's already recorded a song for Dean (which is included below
as well--have a tissue on hand, it's a tear-jerker)..
She
wrote the song in 1973 for Porter Wagoner. She had been on his
television show since 1967 and she wrote it for him when she decided to
pursue a solo career. It actually topped the country charts twice--in
June of 1974 and again in October of 1982 when she re-recorded it for
the soundtrack to the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in which she starred alongside Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise.
Because
of that rather horrendous oversight, I thought I'd submit this week's
album as a more fitting tribute to Carl Dean. Personally I think the
best tributes are given when the person is still alive.
A
couple of years back, in spite of having an amazingly successful career
in country music, Dolly was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. Initially, she turned down the honour since she was not
particularly known for rock music (although I always thought that "9 to
5" sounded like a rock/pop song). She eventually accepted and, likely
in response to that, she recorded a rock album. It was "Dedicated to My
Loving Husband Carl Dean" and one song, a cover of Heart's "Magic Man,"
not only features Ann Wilson but is listed on the album as "Magic Man
(Carl's Version)." Apparently he was a huge fan of the genre and
listened to it all the time. I guess in their marriage she was a little
bit country and he was a little bit rock and roll.
In addition to Wilson, a number of classic rock artists appeared on the
album such as John Fogerty, Steve Perry, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett,
Elton John, and both surviving Beatles, just to name a few. A number of contemporary
artists also made appearances including Brandi Carlile, P!nk, Chris
Stapleton, Lizzo, and goddaughter Miley Cyrus.
So this week, in honour of Carl Dean, please enjoy Dolly Parton with her 2023 album, Rockstar.
Until
next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember
that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for
you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock and roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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