Dolly Parton: 'the undisputed queen of Glastonbury', review

Dolly Parton rose triumphantly to the occasion at Glastonbury 2014, says Neil McCormick 

If you are a Dolly Parton fan take a look at Dolly Song by Song on DVD from amazonuk

 

Well hello, Dolly, feminist icon of America

The Backwoods Barbie has endured decades of mockery but her talent and humour ensure she has the last laugh More enduring than Elvis, more accessible than Dylan and a better singer than both, Dolly Parton, who plays Glastonbury for the first time on Sunday, is one of the few pop stars in history who merits the overused word “icon”: she has become an object of veneration representing an unchanging set of beliefs. At a time of uncertainty, America is searching for a definition of itself: a tiny, irrepressible, 68-year-old country singer with famously fake breasts may just be the answer. 

Dolly is about the audacity of hope and the efficacy of cosmetic surgery, the self-made, impenetrably made-up woman, the authentic deep-dyed fake who looks like a plastic hooker but espouses a set of granite moral values: self-reliance, independence and homespun ambition. Her story has been absorbed into American mythology, a rags to rhinestones story that is pure cliché but also happens to be true: the girl with 11 siblings born in a two-room Tennessee shack without running water who now employs more than 3,000 people after selling more than 100 million records; the daughter of an illiterate farmer who grew up with one book in the house (the Bible), but whose Imagination Library now distributes 2.5 million books to children every year. Dolly embodies a set of very American paradoxes: the backwoods Barbie with a formidable business brain, the self-deprecating extrovert, the demure vamp who looks deliberately dim, and knows exactly how clever she is. “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes.

 I know I’m not dumb. And I’m not blonde.” Above all, the key to Dolly’s survival and success is a very particular brand of American feminism, subtly expressed but remarkable powerful. Country music is not, traditionally, much concerned with gender equality. It is more about standing by your man than standing up to him. An entire sub-section of male country music is devoted to blaming women for heartache (“Since you bought the waterbed, we’ve slowly drifted apart”), treating women as domestic servants and sex objects (“Get your biscuits in the oven, and your buns in the bed”) and claiming not to mind when your woman leaves you (“My wife ran off with my best friend, and I miss him”, “When the phone doesn’t ring, you’ll know it’s from me”, and so on). 

Male failure is a more consistent theme in country music than female success, which is why one should always listen to country music backwards: that way your wife don’t leave you, your dog don’t die, and you wind up sober. But alongside all the chauvinism and male self-pity, country music includes a subversive strain of feminist rebellion reflected in such titles as Did I Shave my Legs for This?, What Part of “No” Don’t You Understand? and The Pill by Loretta Lynn, which may be only song ever written in celebration of birth control. Dolly is a central pillar of this tradition, challenging country music sexism at every opportunity, with sung stories in which women decline to be pushed around by men. Nine to Five is an anthem of female equality (“Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen/ Pour myself a cup of ambition”) in direct defiance of male discrimination (“You’re just a step on the boss man’s ladder/ But you got dreams he’ll never take away”). 

In Just Because I’m a Woman, she sent up male double standards, mocking men who judge women for their past sexual experiences while bragging of their own. (“Now a man will take a good girl/ And he’ll ruin her reputation/ But when he wants to marry/ Well, that’s a different situation”). In Coat of Many Colours she sang of a girl bullied at school for wearing clothes made from patched rags. In Dagger Through the Heart, a woman’s emotions are “tossed around like a box of used crayons”. The Dolly look is itself a calculated deflation of sexism, a standing joke about male chauvinist expectations. 

She may look like a male fantasy of female sexual availability (frozen in about 1968), but her image is entirely owned and controlled by her. She flirts wildly, but remains faithful to the road-laying contractor she married in 1966. She is happy to appear on the cover of Playboy, but would never take her clothes off. No man can mock her body, because she has elevated self-mockery to an art form. She owns the joke: “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” 

After 60 years on stage and more than 3,000 songs, Dolly is no longer simply a performer, but an idea: about overcoming poverty and discrimination through self-reliance and humour. Dollyisms have become a part of the language. Kenneth Clarke once accused Gordon Brown of indulging in Dolly Parton economics: “An unbelievable figure blown out of all proportion, with no visible means of support.” 

Country music is frequently dismissed as sentimental schmaltz (as much of it is), but at its best it is the authentic musical argot of American life. Much of Bill Clinton’s appeal lay in his ability to speak in fluent country music lyrics. So when Dolly takes the stage on Sunday, she will sing some old songs and tell some old jokes as if she had just thought of them, but she will also be reasserting a cultural statement that is much older, and quintessentially American: a rebuttal of time, a refusal to grow old. An indestructible part of the American dream, Dolly is the living embodiment of the possibilities of renewal and reinvention, a monument in word, song and silicone.

Rock n Roll Masterworks Chuck Berry

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

Following on from Delta’s acclaimed series of Triple-Play vinyl Blues Master Works titles, we present two brand new vinyl releases from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll artists of all time.

Beautifully pressed on 180gsm double virgin vinyl, with a CD featuring the entire vinyl tracklisting, and an exclusive download code for the entire tracklisting, packaged in superb heavyweight gatefold sleeves with striking bespoke artwork and an obi strip, these releases offer a unique proposition and superb value in this area of the market.

1. Maybelline, 2. Wee Wee Hours , 3. You Can’t Catch Me , 4. Havana Moon , 5. Rock And Roll Music , 6. Blue Feeling 

1. School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) , 2. Deep Feeling , 3. Brown Eyed Handsome Man , 4. Too Much Monkey Business , 5. Beautiful Delilah , 6. Vacation Time , 7. Sweet Little Sixteen 

1. Reelin’ And Rocking , 2. Sweet Little Rock And Roll , 3. Joe Joe Gunn , 4. Carol , 5. Hey Pedro , 6. Johnny B. Goode , 7. Around And Around 

1. Anthony Boy , 2. That’s My Desire , 3. Little Queenie , 4. Almost Grown , 5. Back In The USA , 6. Memphis, Tennessee , 7. Broken Arrow , 8. Childhood Sweetheart

Dave Van Ronk (2LP & 1CD)

Available to pre-order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

1. Fare Thee Well (Dink’s Song)
2. Gambler’s Blues
3. Duncan and Brady
4. Black Mountain Blues
5. In the Pines

1. Just a Closer Walk With Thee
2. Backwater Blues
3. K.C. Moan
4. Winin’ Boy
5. Sweet Substitute
6. Betty and Dupree

1. Tell Old Bill
2. My Baby’s So Sweet
3. Mean Old Bed Bug Blues
4. Yas-Yas-Yas
5. How Long
6. Please See That My Grave Is Kept Clean

1. John Henry
2. Georgie and the IRT
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Hootchy Kootchy Man
5. If You Leave Me Pretty Momma
6. River Come Down

Alexis Korner (2LP & 1CD)

Available to pre-order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

1. Gotta Move

2. Rain Is Such a Lonesome Sound

3. I Got My Brand On You

4. Spooky But Nice

5. Keep Your Hands Off

6. I Wanna Put a Tiger In Your Tank

7. I Got My Mojo Working

1. Finkle’s Café

2. Hoochie Coochie

3. Down Town

4. How Long, How Long Blues

5. I Thought I Heard That Train Whistle Blow

6. Boll Weevil

7. Skip To My Lou

1. Streamline Train

2. Kid Man

3. Roundhouse Stomp

4. Easy Rider

5. I Ain’t Gonna Worry No More

6. He Knows How To Rock Me

1. This Train

2. County Jail

3. Death Letter

4. National Defence Blues

5. Sail On

6. K C Moan

Little Miss - The Complete Original T.V. Series

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

This DVD features the complete series of 13 original episodes of Little Miss, narrated by Pauline Collins and John Alderton.

The stories feature the following Little Miss characters, created by Roger Hargreaves:

Little Miss Splendid, Little Miss Late, Little Miss Plump, Little Miss Helpful, Little Miss Tiny, Little Miss Bossy, Little Miss Naughty, Little Miss Trouble, Little Miss Magic, Little Miss Neat, Little Miss Scatterbrain, Little Miss Sunshine and Little Miss Shy.

Mr. Men - The Complete Original T.V. Series 1 & 2

 Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

Series 1

This DVD features 13 original episodes of Mr. Men, narrated by Arthur Lowe and broadcast by the BBC as the first of two television series.

The stories feature the following Mr. Men characters, created by Roger Hargreaves.

Mr. Happy, Mr. Silly, Mr. Jelly, Mr. Snow, Mr. Bounce, Mr. Forgetful, Mr. Funny, Mr. Bump, Mr. Tickle, Mr. Small, Mr. Messy, Mr. Greedy and Mr. Sneeze.

Series 2

This DVD features 15 original episodes of Mr. Men, narrated by Arthur Lowe and broadcast by the BBC as the second of two television series.

The stories feature the following Mr. Men characters, created by Roger Hargreaves.

Mr. Strong, Mr. Daydream, Mr. Fussy, Mr. Worry, Mr. Uppity, Mr. Dizzy, Mr. Topsy Turvy, Mr. Muddle, Mr. Mean, Mr. Nosey, Mr. Chatterbox, Mr. Noisy, Mr. Impossible, Mr. Lazy and Mr. Grumpy.

Johnny Cash (2CD & 1DVD)

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

Disc One

1. Folsom Prison Blues, 2. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle, 3. The Rock Island Line, 4. If The Good Lord’s Willing, 5. Cry, Cry, Cry, 6. Remember Me, 7. So Doggone Lonesome, 8. I Was There When It Happened, 9. There You Go, 10. The Wreck of Old ‘97, 11. Country Boy, 12. Doin’ My Time, 13. Run Softly, Blue River, 14. Frankie’s Man, Johnny, 15. That’s All Over, 16. The Troubadour, 17. One More Ride, 18. That’s Enough, 19. Don’t Make Me Go, 20. Don’t Take Your Guns To Town, 21. I’d Rather Die Young, 22. Pickin’ Time, 23. Shepherd Of My Heart, 24. Supper-Time, 25. Ballad of a Teenage Queen

Disc Two

1. I Walk the Line, 2. I Still Miss Someone, 3. Five Feet High and Rising, 4. Train of Love, 5. The Ways of a Woman In Love, 6. Tennessee Flat Top Box, 7. You’re the Nearest Thing To Heaven, 8. I Can’t Help It, 9. Home of the Blues, 10. Big River, 11. Drink To Me, 12. Guess Things Happen That Way, 13. The Man On the Hill, 14. Hank and Joe and Me, 15. Clementine, 16. The Great Speckled Bird, 17. I Want To Go Home, 18. The Caretaker, 19. Old Apache Squaw, 20. Don’t Step On Mother’s Roses, 21. My Grandfather’s Clock, 22. It Could Be You (Instead of Him), 23. I’ll Remember You, 24. You Win Again, 25. I Could Never Be Ashamed of You

DVD:

The Man In Black – His Early Years

16 memorable performances including Five Feet High & Rising, Don’t Take Your Guns To Town, I Got Stripes and many more. 

Elvis Presley (2CD & 1DVD)

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

Disc One
1. Heartbreak Hotel, 2. Blue Suede Shoes, 3. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, 4. My Baby Left Me, 5. Hound Dog, 6. Don’t Be Cruel, 7. Blue Moon, 8. I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine, 9. Love Me Tender, 10. Anyway That You Want Me, 11. Mystery Train, 12. Love Me, 13. Rip It Up, 14. Too Much, 15. All Shook Up, 16. Teddy Bear, 17. Paralyzed, 18. Party, 19. Got a Lot of Living To Do, 20. Loving You, 21. Trying To Get To You, 22. Lawdy Miss Clawdy, 23. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone, 24. King Creole, 25. Jailhouse Rock

Disc Two
1. Return To Sender, 2. She’s Not You, 3. Good Luck Charm, 4. Rock a Hula Baby, 5. Can’t Help Falling In Love, 6. Little Sister, 7. His Latest Flame, 8. Wild In the Country, 9. I Feel So Bad , 10. Lonely Man, 11. Surrender, 12. Wooden Heart, 13. Are You Lonesome Tonight?, 14. A Mess of Blues, 15. It’s Now Or Never, 16. Stuck On You, 17. A Big Hunk of Love, 18. I Need Your Love Tonight, 19. A Fool Such As I, 20. Hard Headed Woman, 21. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck, 22. I Beg of You, 23. Don’t , 24. I Got Stung, 25. One Night


DVD:
The Legend In Concert - The Early Years
Features early footage of Elvis during his college days that is a must for all Elvis fans, plus rare live performances from US TV including electrifying versions of: Tutti Frutti, Money Honey, Witchcraft/Love Me Tender (with Frank Sinatra), Baby, Let’s Play House, Too Much, Heartbreak Hotel.

Frank Sinatra (2CD & 1DVD)

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

Disc One

1. I've Got You Under My Skin, 2. I Get a Kick Out of You, 3. Come Fly With Me, 4. That Old Black Magic, 5. Let’s Fall In Love, 6. Nice ‘N’ Easy, 7. Fools Rush In, 8. Embraceable You, 9. Something’s Gotta Give, 10. April In Paris, 11. Night And Day, 12. I Wish I Were In Love Again, 13. Nice Work If You Can Get It, 14. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To, 15. You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me, 16. Too Marvellous For Words, 17. Love Is Here To Stay, 18. Pennies From Heaven, 19. Makin' Whoopee, 20. Anything Goes, 21. I Get Along Without You Very Well, 22. The Girl Next Door, 23. A Foggy Day, 24. Just One of Those Things, 25. P.S. I Love You

Disc Two

1. You Make Me Feel So Young, 2. The Lady Is a Tramp, 3. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, 4. Come Rain Or Come Shine, 5. I Only Have Eyes For You, 6. Baubles, Bangles and Beads, 7. It’s Only a Paper Moon, 8. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, 9. It Might As Well Be Spring, 10. Misty, 11. You Do Something To Me, 12. How Deep Is the Ocean, 13. I've Got a Crush On You, 14. Stormy Weather, 15. Brazil, 16. I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan, 17. My Funny Valentine, 18. When You’re Smiling, 19. They Can’t Take That Away From Me, 20. You Go To My Head, 21. Cheek To Cheek, 22. You and the Night and the Music, 23. Chicago, 24. Dancing In the Dark, 25. These Foolish Things Remind Me of You

DVD: 

The Magic of the Music, the Pleasure of the Performance

(performances from Frank’s TV appearances of the 40s and 50s)

1. Stardust, 2. Ol’ Man River, 3. When You’re Smiling, 4. I’ll Never Smile Again, 5. Last Night When We Were Young, 6. Witchcraft, 7. High Hopes, 8. Gone With the Wind, 9. Too Marvellous For Words, 10. I See Your Face Before Me, 11. Talk To Me, 12. Hello Young Lovers, 13. Luck Be a Lady, 14. Angel Eyes, 15. That Old Black Magic, 16. Love Makes Me Feel So Young, 17. For Somebody Else

Paul Anka - Diana

Available to order now from amazon.co.uk and deltamusic.co.uk

1. Diana
2. Lonely Boy
3. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
4. Adam and Eve
5. (All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings
6. It’s Time To Cry
7. The Story of My Love
8. You Are My Destiny
9. Crazy Love
10. Just Young
11. Let The Bells Keep Ringing
12. Puppy Love
13. Dance On Little Girl
14. Hello Young Lovers
15. Cinderella
16. A Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine
17. Every Night (Without You)
18. Eso Beso (That Kiss)
19. My Home Town
20. Tonight, My Love Tonight
21. Kissin’ On the Phone
22. C’est Si Bon
23. Love Letters In the Sand
24. I’ll See You In My Dreams
25. I Love You In the Same Old Way

Please, Please, Please - The Best Of James Brown

Available to order now from deltamusic.co.uk and amazon.co.uk

DISC ONE
1. Please Please Please, 2. Try Me, 3. I Want You So Bad, 4. I Don’t Mind, 5. Bewildered, 6. I Don’t Know, 7. No, No, No, 8. Just Won’t Do Right, 9. Chonnie-On-Chon, 10. Can’t Be The Same, 11. Love Or A Game, 12. You’re Mine, You’re Mine, 13. That Dood It, 14. Begging, Begging, 15. I’ve Got To Change, 16. Good Good Lovin’, 17. I’ll Go Crazy, 18. You’ve Got The Power, 19. This Old Heart, 20. The Bells, 21. I Love You Yes I Do, 22. Why Do You Do Me, 23. I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On, 24. Just You And Me Darling, 25. Hold My Baby’s Hand

DISC TWO

1. Think, 2. Night Train, 3. Mashed Potatoes USA, 4. Shout And Shimmy, 5. Three Hearts In A Tangle, 6. I’ve Got Money, 7. I Won’t Plead No More, 8. Gonna Try, 9. Messing With The Blues, 10. I Walked Alone, 11. Baby Cries Over The Ocean, 12. That’s When I Lost My Heart, 13. Tell Me What I Did Wrong, 14. There Must Be A Reason, 15. It Hurts To Tell You, 16. Don’t Let It Happen To Me, 17. I Know It’s True, 18. Wonder When You’re Coming Home, 19. And I Do Just What I Want, 20. If You Want Me, 21. Love Don’t Love Nobody, 22. I’ll Never, Never Let You Go, 23. The Scratch, 24. Suds, 25. Have Mercy Baby

DISC THREE

1. Get Up Offa That Thing (Live), 2. Gonna Have A Funky Good Time (Doing It to Death) (Live), 3. It’s Too Funky In Here (Live), 4. I Got The Feeling (Live), 5.  Turn It Loose (Give I Up) (Live), 6. Cold Sweat (Live), 7. I Got You (Live), 8. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag (Live), 9. Out Of Sight (Live), 10. Try Me (Live), 11. Get On The Good Foot (Live), 12.  I Can’t Stand Myself (Live), 13. Super Bad (Live), 14. Disco Rap (Live), 15. Prisoner Of Love (Live), 16. Georgia On My Mind (Live), 17. It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World (Live)