Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "That's The Way I Loved You" is the only 1 of 2 tracks on the album I skip. It has all the right formular, but for some reason I just can't take to it.

"Forever & Always" about a break-up and "Best Day" are, again, highlights and some of my favourites. "Change", I just don't like. It's the other song I skip.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a breath of fresh air in a world of Britney's [though I am a fan!] and her clones. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

why the uk?, 11 Nov 2008
why the hell is it that in the UK you never get the album you want? i was waiting for this.but can you get it anywhere in the uk..no you cant just because its american you cant get the album here..the fans miss out and its not fair..anyway all i can say is ill be looking for the songs on youtube.

I Cannot Wait!, 06 Sep 2008
I can't wait to get this album. Taylor sung a few of the songs of this album in the show she did in london on september 3rd, and she sounded awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of them! x

Emmylou Harris has always had a way with woe. On All I Intended To Be, she seems more maudlin than ever as she sings her way through songs about loss, heartbreak, even the odd funeral. Of course, this is the kind of material Harris has always been comfortable with, but as her career and years advance gracefully, so her gliding soprano seems to breathe ever more refinement and soul into her material. All I Intended To Be has been produced by Brian Ahern, her former husband and the man behind her first 11 albums--another reason the album sounds so comfortable and accomplished. Joined by a virtuoso set of players including keyboardist Glen Hardin and multi-instrumentalist Stuart Duncan, plus vocalists Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, and Dolly Parton, Harris blends a handpicked selection of cover versions with her own material. Tracy Chapman's "All That You Have Is Your Soul" gets a honeyed reworking, as does Merle Haggard's "Kern River" and Mark Germino's "Broken Man's Lament". Billy Joe Shaver's "Old Five" and "Dimers Like Me" both get respectfully and sublimely covered too. But her own songs - in particular "Sailing Round the Room" and "Gold" - stand up well to these evergreens. An eclectic and profound set, All I Intended To Be is also one of Harris' best in recent years.--Danny McKenna

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "That's The Way I Loved You" is the only 1 of 2 tracks on the album I skip. It has all the right formular, but for some reason I just can't take to it.

"Forever & Always" about a break-up and "Best Day" are, again, highlights and some of my favourites. "Change", I just don't like. It's the other song I skip.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a breath of fresh air in a world of Britney's [though I am a fan!] and her clones. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

why the uk?, 11 Nov 2008
why the hell is it that in the UK you never get the album you want? i was waiting for this.but can you get it anywhere in the uk..no you cant just because its american you cant get the album here..the fans miss out and its not fair..anyway all i can say is ill be looking for the songs on youtube.

I Cannot Wait!, 06 Sep 2008
I can't wait to get this album. Taylor sung a few of the songs of this album in the show she did in london on september 3rd, and she sounded awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of them! x

Very good, 29 Sep 2008
I liked this album a lot. It starts off strong and gets better through to the two songs at the end, which for me were the highlights. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice, beautiful music, beautifully produced. A melancholy album pretty much through and through I felt, and that would be my only criticism. Nothing pacey and upbeat to help mix it up a bit. Four stars from me.

Just Beautiful, 08 Jul 2008
Takes a couple of listenings, but after that it just blows you away. Several standout songs, particularly "How she could sing The Wildwood flower" (which I took to be a reference to an earlier generation of the Carter Family rather than June Cater and Johnny Cash) "Gold" is just beautiful, but particularly the magnificent "Sailing Round the Room". Anybody remember the last poor, or even average, album Emmylou made?

Touching The Sublime, 06 Jul 2008
The title : a fanfare, a declaration and a manifesto.

This collection of thirteen new recordings brings us
to some kind of pinnacle in Ms Harris's long career.

She must know this to be true. The evidence is there for us to hear.

After the dry, rasping austerity of 'Red Dirt Girl' (2000);
the warm, reassuring classicism of 'Stumble Into Grace' (2003)
and the uncomfortably eneven collaboration with Mr Knopfler,
'All The Road Running' (2006); 'All I Intended To Be' is a
trancendent epiphany. A true and perfect wonder.

Maturity of voice and musical vision; finely honed interpretive insight
and the ability to create a sense of intense gravitas from the simplest
ingredients are all marks of an artist functioning at the very
height of her remarkable powers.

A track by track deconstruction would seem somehow ignoble given
material of such consumate beauty.

Suffice to say that with the song 'All That You Have Is Your Soul'
the world seems to turn to face the sun. Music to warm the coldest spirit.

Either side of it twelve more wonderful examples of songs to raise
your hopes and break your heart.

Quintessential.

Inimitable.

Sublime.


A disappointment, 02 Jul 2008
Not rubbish. How could any Emmy Lou Harris album ever be, but be returning to producer Brian Ahern, she has effectively gone back to the sound if her 1976 album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town", and that's one step too far back to the future. After the progressive nature of her last three albums, Emmylou has obviously decided she doesn't want her rock fans any more, and to say the same thing again,she's gone backwards.

Make no mistake though, this album is beautifully played and exquisitely sung (who would have expected anything else) but after a few listens, I can't remember any of the songs.

A huge disappointment, and if in any doubt buy "Quarter Moon", it's fabulous.

They say there's ne progress in this kind of music, and here's the proof

Exceptional, 26 Jun 2008
Rapidly shaping up to be one of the best of 2008, this is probably Emmylou Harris's best record since Spyboy, although stylistically it is closer to Wrecking Ball, and I have to add that there was nothing at all wrong with the intervening works.

It was a well-placed, curiosity-pricking ad for Spyboy, Harris's 1998 live album, that got me started. Until then I'd only had a vague regard for the "country" genre. After, I was hooked, and was amazed at her ubiquity, finding her making appearances with Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, as well as being the driving force behind the Gram Parsons tribute The Return Of The Grievous Angel (Brilliant. I don't care what the reviewers say).

And they return the compliment, with Dolly here joining Harris on Gold, their voices intertwining perfectly.

Emmylou Harris is not, of course, just about country. The rhythm section she brought to London in the wake of Spyboy would not, on the evidence of their jamming mid-concert, have looked out of place with Herbie Hancock. Ricky Skaggs, at one time part of Harris's band, remarked rather petulantly of her more recent music that it was "not country", but all of it, country and otherwise, shares a cabinet with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and The Clash in my world. The label is everything and nothing.

But though country is, I guess, what this latest offering is closer to, what counts is that the songs, music and production add up to an exceptional experience.

Songs first. Some great originals; some superb covers. Standouts in the latter category are Merle Haggard's Kern River; Billy Joe Shaver's Old Five And Dimers Like Me; and a totally stunning version of Tracy Chapman's All That You Have Is Your Soul, which comes about closest to a political statement here, and has a trace of Lovin' You Again, from Cowgirl's Prayer, just as the rendition of Crowley and Routh's Beyond The Great Divide has a fade reminiscent of Gone, Long Gone from Trio II. Almost inevitably there is also a song cowritten by Harris with the McGarrigles, How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower. Also inevitable is that the sisters joined in on the recording.

Musically there is a stellar array of contributors, armed with an arsenal of instrumentation from mandolin, through accordion, banjo and fiddle, together with the obligatory guitars, Dobro and steel and some exotica such as mandocello and baritone electric guitar. Musicians include old standbys such as Buddy Miller (the only thing a girl needs, as she described him when they appeared on Jools Holland's show) and John Starling.

Finally, the production, and the tribute to that element is that, although this collection has taken several years in gestation it sounds, as Bob Harris observed when Emmylou appeared on his radio programme, of one time.

Two closing notes. First, listening this gave me an even greater appetite to listen to Harris's back catalogue. And second, it is very seldom that I will play a record two times in succession: this is one of the exceptions.

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "That's The Way I Loved You" is the only 1 of 2 tracks on the album I skip. It has all the right formular, but for some reason I just can't take to it.

"Forever & Always" about a break-up and "Best Day" are, again, highlights and some of my favourites. "Change", I just don't like. It's the other song I skip.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a breath of fresh air in a world of Britney's [though I am a fan!] and her clones. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

why the uk?, 11 Nov 2008
why the hell is it that in the UK you never get the album you want? i was waiting for this.but can you get it anywhere in the uk..no you cant just because its american you cant get the album here..the fans miss out and its not fair..anyway all i can say is ill be looking for the songs on youtube.

I Cannot Wait!, 06 Sep 2008
I can't wait to get this album. Taylor sung a few of the songs of this album in the show she did in london on september 3rd, and she sounded awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of them! x

Very good, 29 Sep 2008
I liked this album a lot. It starts off strong and gets better through to the two songs at the end, which for me were the highlights. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice, beautiful music, beautifully produced. A melancholy album pretty much through and through I felt, and that would be my only criticism. Nothing pacey and upbeat to help mix it up a bit. Four stars from me.

Just Beautiful, 08 Jul 2008
Takes a couple of listenings, but after that it just blows you away. Several standout songs, particularly "How she could sing The Wildwood flower" (which I took to be a reference to an earlier generation of the Carter Family rather than June Cater and Johnny Cash) "Gold" is just beautiful, but particularly the magnificent "Sailing Round the Room". Anybody remember the last poor, or even average, album Emmylou made?

Touching The Sublime, 06 Jul 2008
The title : a fanfare, a declaration and a manifesto.

This collection of thirteen new recordings brings us
to some kind of pinnacle in Ms Harris's long career.

She must know this to be true. The evidence is there for us to hear.

After the dry, rasping austerity of 'Red Dirt Girl' (2000);
the warm, reassuring classicism of 'Stumble Into Grace' (2003)
and the uncomfortably eneven collaboration with Mr Knopfler,
'All The Road Running' (2006); 'All I Intended To Be' is a
trancendent epiphany. A true and perfect wonder.

Maturity of voice and musical vision; finely honed interpretive insight
and the ability to create a sense of intense gravitas from the simplest
ingredients are all marks of an artist functioning at the very
height of her remarkable powers.

A track by track deconstruction would seem somehow ignoble given
material of such consumate beauty.

Suffice to say that with the song 'All That You Have Is Your Soul'
the world seems to turn to face the sun. Music to warm the coldest spirit.

Either side of it twelve more wonderful examples of songs to raise
your hopes and break your heart.

Quintessential.

Inimitable.

Sublime.


A disappointment, 02 Jul 2008
Not rubbish. How could any Emmy Lou Harris album ever be, but be returning to producer Brian Ahern, she has effectively gone back to the sound if her 1976 album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town", and that's one step too far back to the future. After the progressive nature of her last three albums, Emmylou has obviously decided she doesn't want her rock fans any more, and to say the same thing again,she's gone backwards.

Make no mistake though, this album is beautifully played and exquisitely sung (who would have expected anything else) but after a few listens, I can't remember any of the songs.

A huge disappointment, and if in any doubt buy "Quarter Moon", it's fabulous.

They say there's ne progress in this kind of music, and here's the proof

Exceptional, 26 Jun 2008
Rapidly shaping up to be one of the best of 2008, this is probably Emmylou Harris's best record since Spyboy, although stylistically it is closer to Wrecking Ball, and I have to add that there was nothing at all wrong with the intervening works.

It was a well-placed, curiosity-pricking ad for Spyboy, Harris's 1998 live album, that got me started. Until then I'd only had a vague regard for the "country" genre. After, I was hooked, and was amazed at her ubiquity, finding her making appearances with Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, as well as being the driving force behind the Gram Parsons tribute The Return Of The Grievous Angel (Brilliant. I don't care what the reviewers say).

And they return the compliment, with Dolly here joining Harris on Gold, their voices intertwining perfectly.

Emmylou Harris is not, of course, just about country. The rhythm section she brought to London in the wake of Spyboy would not, on the evidence of their jamming mid-concert, have looked out of place with Herbie Hancock. Ricky Skaggs, at one time part of Harris's band, remarked rather petulantly of her more recent music that it was "not country", but all of it, country and otherwise, shares a cabinet with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and The Clash in my world. The label is everything and nothing.

But though country is, I guess, what this latest offering is closer to, what counts is that the songs, music and production add up to an exceptional experience.

Songs first. Some great originals; some superb covers. Standouts in the latter category are Merle Haggard's Kern River; Billy Joe Shaver's Old Five And Dimers Like Me; and a totally stunning version of Tracy Chapman's All That You Have Is Your Soul, which comes about closest to a political statement here, and has a trace of Lovin' You Again, from Cowgirl's Prayer, just as the rendition of Crowley and Routh's Beyond The Great Divide has a fade reminiscent of Gone, Long Gone from Trio II. Almost inevitably there is also a song cowritten by Harris with the McGarrigles, How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower. Also inevitable is that the sisters joined in on the recording.

Musically there is a stellar array of contributors, armed with an arsenal of instrumentation from mandolin, through accordion, banjo and fiddle, together with the obligatory guitars, Dobro and steel and some exotica such as mandocello and baritone electric guitar. Musicians include old standbys such as Buddy Miller (the only thing a girl needs, as she described him when they appeared on Jools Holland's show) and John Starling.

Finally, the production, and the tribute to that element is that, although this collection has taken several years in gestation it sounds, as Bob Harris observed when Emmylou appeared on his radio programme, of one time.

Two closing notes. First, listening this gave me an even greater appetite to listen to Harris's back catalogue. And second, it is very seldom that I will play a record two times in succession: this is one of the exceptions.


Plucking Marvellous!!, 06 Nov 2008
I've really enjoyed Brad Paisley's albums over the years, in fact I would rate "Time Well Wasted" as one of my top 10 favourite albums of all times. I think it was because TWW was so strong that I was disappointed with its follow-up, "5th Gear" (which featured many good moments but relied too much on lame schoolboy humour). But this is very much a return to form!

The instrumental tracks on his previous albums have always superb and I was delighted when I heard that this was to be a fully instrumental album (OK, plans changed but it's still mostly instrumental!). Brad's guitar work is, as ever, amazing; but collective playing throughout this CD is nothing short of brilliant. What I love about BP's albums is that he allows the other players to shine and this collection does that in spades. To highlight a few key moments for me there is the fiddle on the opening track "Huckleberry Jam", the mandolin on "Playing with Fire", and both the piano and stell guitar on "Les is More". "Cluster Pluck", despite the awful title, will probably be the most played track due to its star-studded cast list of James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Redd Volkeart. It works well but probably isn't quite as good as the similar sounding instrumental version of "Luxury Liner" featuring BP as a guest that appeared on one of Albert Lee's albums a few years back (in fact at one point the riff from "Luxury Liner" is played during "Cluster Pluck"!).

Of the four vocal tracks, the duet with the late Buck Owens is the best. There's nothing wrong with the others, just nothing particularly special, and this includes "Let The Good Times Roll" with BB King.

The only black mark on this collection is the inclusion of another tiresome 'comedy' track! I surely can't be the only one who thinks he should drop them??

I can imagine that some Paisley fans won't like this collection and agree that it's unlike his other albums, but wow! This boy really can 'Play'!!

Brad wanted to do it., 05 Nov 2008
The average Brad Paisley album is chock full of humour, superb musicianship and upbeat and slow tempo songs. This is something slightly different. Brad Paisley wanted to do a guitar based album and this is the result which, unfortunately, means there are far more pure instrumental tracks than usual. There is nothing wrong with the playing by any means but the highlights for me are still the songs that combine the singing and playing especially the duet he made from a demo of the legendary Buck Owens called "Come on in". It is a brilliant tribute to Bucks talents. I did enjoy this album but, I hope, that Brad returns to a full vocal album for his next one.

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "That's The Way I Loved You" is the only 1 of 2 tracks on the album I skip. It has all the right formular, but for some reason I just can't take to it.

"Forever & Always" about a break-up and "Best Day" are, again, highlights and some of my favourites. "Change", I just don't like. It's the other song I skip.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a breath of fresh air in a world of Britney's [though I am a fan!] and her clones. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

why the uk?, 11 Nov 2008
why the hell is it that in the UK you never get the album you want? i was waiting for this.but can you get it anywhere in the uk..no you cant just because its american you cant get the album here..the fans miss out and its not fair..anyway all i can say is ill be looking for the songs on youtube.

I Cannot Wait!, 06 Sep 2008
I can't wait to get this album. Taylor sung a few of the songs of this album in the show she did in london on september 3rd, and she sounded awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of them! x

Very good, 29 Sep 2008
I liked this album a lot. It starts off strong and gets better through to the two songs at the end, which for me were the highlights. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice, beautiful music, beautifully produced. A melancholy album pretty much through and through I felt, and that would be my only criticism. Nothing pacey and upbeat to help mix it up a bit. Four stars from me.

Just Beautiful, 08 Jul 2008
Takes a couple of listenings, but after that it just blows you away. Several standout songs, particularly "How she could sing The Wildwood flower" (which I took to be a reference to an earlier generation of the Carter Family rather than June Cater and Johnny Cash) "Gold" is just beautiful, but particularly the magnificent "Sailing Round the Room". Anybody remember the last poor, or even average, album Emmylou made?

Touching The Sublime, 06 Jul 2008
The title : a fanfare, a declaration and a manifesto.

This collection of thirteen new recordings brings us
to some kind of pinnacle in Ms Harris's long career.

She must know this to be true. The evidence is there for us to hear.

After the dry, rasping austerity of 'Red Dirt Girl' (2000);
the warm, reassuring classicism of 'Stumble Into Grace' (2003)
and the uncomfortably eneven collaboration with Mr Knopfler,
'All The Road Running' (2006); 'All I Intended To Be' is a
trancendent epiphany. A true and perfect wonder.

Maturity of voice and musical vision; finely honed interpretive insight
and the ability to create a sense of intense gravitas from the simplest
ingredients are all marks of an artist functioning at the very
height of her remarkable powers.

A track by track deconstruction would seem somehow ignoble given
material of such consumate beauty.

Suffice to say that with the song 'All That You Have Is Your Soul'
the world seems to turn to face the sun. Music to warm the coldest spirit.

Either side of it twelve more wonderful examples of songs to raise
your hopes and break your heart.

Quintessential.

Inimitable.

Sublime.


A disappointment, 02 Jul 2008
Not rubbish. How could any Emmy Lou Harris album ever be, but be returning to producer Brian Ahern, she has effectively gone back to the sound if her 1976 album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town", and that's one step too far back to the future. After the progressive nature of her last three albums, Emmylou has obviously decided she doesn't want her rock fans any more, and to say the same thing again,she's gone backwards.

Make no mistake though, this album is beautifully played and exquisitely sung (who would have expected anything else) but after a few listens, I can't remember any of the songs.

A huge disappointment, and if in any doubt buy "Quarter Moon", it's fabulous.

They say there's ne progress in this kind of music, and here's the proof

Exceptional, 26 Jun 2008
Rapidly shaping up to be one of the best of 2008, this is probably Emmylou Harris's best record since Spyboy, although stylistically it is closer to Wrecking Ball, and I have to add that there was nothing at all wrong with the intervening works.

It was a well-placed, curiosity-pricking ad for Spyboy, Harris's 1998 live album, that got me started. Until then I'd only had a vague regard for the "country" genre. After, I was hooked, and was amazed at her ubiquity, finding her making appearances with Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, as well as being the driving force behind the Gram Parsons tribute The Return Of The Grievous Angel (Brilliant. I don't care what the reviewers say).

And they return the compliment, with Dolly here joining Harris on Gold, their voices intertwining perfectly.

Emmylou Harris is not, of course, just about country. The rhythm section she brought to London in the wake of Spyboy would not, on the evidence of their jamming mid-concert, have looked out of place with Herbie Hancock. Ricky Skaggs, at one time part of Harris's band, remarked rather petulantly of her more recent music that it was "not country", but all of it, country and otherwise, shares a cabinet with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and The Clash in my world. The label is everything and nothing.

But though country is, I guess, what this latest offering is closer to, what counts is that the songs, music and production add up to an exceptional experience.

Songs first. Some great originals; some superb covers. Standouts in the latter category are Merle Haggard's Kern River; Billy Joe Shaver's Old Five And Dimers Like Me; and a totally stunning version of Tracy Chapman's All That You Have Is Your Soul, which comes about closest to a political statement here, and has a trace of Lovin' You Again, from Cowgirl's Prayer, just as the rendition of Crowley and Routh's Beyond The Great Divide has a fade reminiscent of Gone, Long Gone from Trio II. Almost inevitably there is also a song cowritten by Harris with the McGarrigles, How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower. Also inevitable is that the sisters joined in on the recording.

Musically there is a stellar array of contributors, armed with an arsenal of instrumentation from mandolin, through accordion, banjo and fiddle, together with the obligatory guitars, Dobro and steel and some exotica such as mandocello and baritone electric guitar. Musicians include old standbys such as Buddy Miller (the only thing a girl needs, as she described him when they appeared on Jools Holland's show) and John Starling.

Finally, the production, and the tribute to that element is that, although this collection has taken several years in gestation it sounds, as Bob Harris observed when Emmylou appeared on his radio programme, of one time.

Two closing notes. First, listening this gave me an even greater appetite to listen to Harris's back catalogue. And second, it is very seldom that I will play a record two times in succession: this is one of the exceptions.


Plucking Marvellous!!, 06 Nov 2008
I've really enjoyed Brad Paisley's albums over the years, in fact I would rate "Time Well Wasted" as one of my top 10 favourite albums of all times. I think it was because TWW was so strong that I was disappointed with its follow-up, "5th Gear" (which featured many good moments but relied too much on lame schoolboy humour). But this is very much a return to form!

The instrumental tracks on his previous albums have always superb and I was delighted when I heard that this was to be a fully instrumental album (OK, plans changed but it's still mostly instrumental!). Brad's guitar work is, as ever, amazing; but collective playing throughout this CD is nothing short of brilliant. What I love about BP's albums is that he allows the other players to shine and this collection does that in spades. To highlight a few key moments for me there is the fiddle on the opening track "Huckleberry Jam", the mandolin on "Playing with Fire", and both the piano and stell guitar on "Les is More". "Cluster Pluck", despite the awful title, will probably be the most played track due to its star-studded cast list of James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Redd Volkeart. It works well but probably isn't quite as good as the similar sounding instrumental version of "Luxury Liner" featuring BP as a guest that appeared on one of Albert Lee's albums a few years back (in fact at one point the riff from "Luxury Liner" is played during "Cluster Pluck"!).

Of the four vocal tracks, the duet with the late Buck Owens is the best. There's nothing wrong with the others, just nothing particularly special, and this includes "Let The Good Times Roll" with BB King.

The only black mark on this collection is the inclusion of another tiresome 'comedy' track! I surely can't be the only one who thinks he should drop them??

I can imagine that some Paisley fans won't like this collection and agree that it's unlike his other albums, but wow! This boy really can 'Play'!!

Brad wanted to do it., 05 Nov 2008
The average Brad Paisley album is chock full of humour, superb musicianship and upbeat and slow tempo songs. This is something slightly different. Brad Paisley wanted to do a guitar based album and this is the result which, unfortunately, means there are far more pure instrumental tracks than usual. There is nothing wrong with the playing by any means but the highlights for me are still the songs that combine the singing and playing especially the duet he made from a demo of the legendary Buck Owens called "Come on in". It is a brilliant tribute to Bucks talents. I did enjoy this album but, I hope, that Brad returns to a full vocal album for his next one.

Worth the Wait, 22 Oct 2008
All hail the mighty Paul Heaton!
Lyrical genius and musician - you need to add this album to your collection immediately!

Now this IS Superbi!, 14 Jul 2008
As someone who was barely satisfied with what could be The Beautiful South's last ever studio album, 'Superbi', I am more than pleased that Paul Heaton's second solo album is a far more raucous and memorable affair than many of the recent Beautiful South efforts. This is an album which, unlike 'Superbi', you will want to replay again and again. It has life, warmth, caustic wit and humour. It also has plenty of great memorable tunes (the single 'Mermaids And Slaves' is certainly as good as, if not better than, anything The Beautiful South have released this decade) and is packed full of brilliant lyrics which deal, often cynically and near-brutally, with the modern world and its often less than consistent inhabitants;

"Let's fool and coerce/The singer of verse/Died of insufferable pain,
Let's fuel the dream/Every Buckley or Dean/Was genius, misjudged or insane"
('Mermaids And Slaves')

"When someone starts a sentence/With 'I'm not racist but'
You know that the sentence is bound to end/With where they think they should be put
So next time you hear them singing/Of A land so free and brave
You know the place they hang their flag/Is where they hung their slave"
('A Good Old Fashioned Town')

"And the thin are getting thinner/The big are getting bigger
Till 5 and 75 year olds/Worry 'bout their figure
The big are getting bigger/The thin are getting thinner
Till everyone's looking (everyone's cooking)/At everyone else's dinner"
('Everything Is Everything')

I don't want to pull this album apart, track-by-track, because I really don't want to give too much away, but I believe that the content and style will be recognisable to every fan of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South and solo Heaton. All I can really say is that this is one of Paul's most enjoyable albums, with or without his bandmates and creative collaborators, and that nearly every fan of the man will be delighted with the excellent 'Cross Eyed Rambler', which is - in my opinion - twice the album of his solo debut.

Heaton has far surpassed my expectations..., 13 Jul 2008
Although I enjoyed the final Beautiful South offering 'Superbi', it's not the one I'll be listening to frequently over the course of time. I think that I was kind of expecting Paul Heaton's 'Cross Eyed Rambler' to end up sounding reprocessed and lacking any life or originality. I am astonishingly blown away. I'm still in awe thinking....how could he still be writing such incredible music after so many years!'. One would think the creative well would run dry at one point but I can honestly say, it seems his creative well is far far from dry. This cd just reminds me of a perfect blend of his entire career, there's a hint and dash from the Housemartins, and really from every Beautiful South disc. Lyrically, he is still as brilliant and witty as ever. Cheers to this incredible new release, I'm grinning from ear to ear, grateful and well, I know what will be on constant rotation for a long time to come.

Don't ramble, pay attention, 11 Jul 2008
I was very sad to hear the demise of the Beautiful South, but having already got Paul's previous album 'Fat Chance', the new album was a must. It has arrived and I am not disappointed, it is excellent. Lyrical as is all Paul's work with loads of catchy songs. Many of these tracks hark back to the 'Housemartins' with a much more basic sound and lots of energy. Much of the 'Beautiful South's' work was very melodic and carefully structured, this album seems to be a lot more basic, and I think is really good for that reason.

Lyrical genius shares his genius with us all, 11 Jul 2008
Paul Heaton has delivered a record of originality and energy. He has stripped back the layers of The Beautiful South and created a raw sound of guitar, bass, and drums. He is the Bertolt Brecht of modern music. Creating a theatre in his lyrics that questions and probes without pulling you in with sentimentality. He delivers the facts with poetry; and paints picture after picture. A wonderful record.

A Hundred Miles or More carries the subtitle A Collection, and what a curious collection it is--cuts from soundtracks, side projects, and tribute albums, plus guest duets on other artists' albums and five previously unreleased tracks. In other words, this is a collection of Alison Krauss performances that have never appeared on an Alison Krauss album, though it holds together better than such a grab-bag approach might suggest. Highlights such as her duet with Brad Paisley on "Whiskey Lullaby" and her a cappella rendition of "Down to the River to Pray" from O Brother, Where Art Thou? will be familiar to most Krauss fans, though it's doubtful that many share her infatuation with retro rocker John Waite (with whom she revives his "Missing You" and duets on a cover of Don Williams's "Lay Down Beside Me."). Other projects represented range from Disney to the Chieftains to the Louvin Brothers (she duets with James Taylor on their "How's the World Treating You." There's minimal contribution from her Union Station band--making this a solo release by default--and little information to indicate whether the previously unreleased tracks were outtakes from earlier releases or recently recorded for this one. --Don McLeese

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "That's The Way I Loved You" is the only 1 of 2 tracks on the album I skip. It has all the right formular, but for some reason I just can't take to it.

"Forever & Always" about a break-up and "Best Day" are, again, highlights and some of my favourites. "Change", I just don't like. It's the other song I skip.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a breath of fresh air in a world of Britney's [though I am a fan!] and her clones. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

why the uk?, 11 Nov 2008
why the hell is it that in the UK you never get the album you want? i was waiting for this.but can you get it anywhere in the uk..no you cant just because its american you cant get the album here..the fans miss out and its not fair..anyway all i can say is ill be looking for the songs on youtube.

I Cannot Wait!, 06 Sep 2008
I can't wait to get this album. Taylor sung a few of the songs of this album in the show she did in london on september 3rd, and she sounded awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of them! x

Very good, 29 Sep 2008
I liked this album a lot. It starts off strong and gets better through to the two songs at the end, which for me were the highlights. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice, beautiful music, beautifully produced. A melancholy album pretty much through and through I felt, and that would be my only criticism. Nothing pacey and upbeat to help mix it up a bit. Four stars from me.

Just Beautiful, 08 Jul 2008
Takes a couple of listenings, but after that it just blows you away. Several standout songs, particularly "How she could sing The Wildwood flower" (which I took to be a reference to an earlier generation of the Carter Family rather than June Cater and Johnny Cash) "Gold" is just beautiful, but particularly the magnificent "Sailing Round the Room". Anybody remember the last poor, or even average, album Emmylou made?

Touching The Sublime, 06 Jul 2008
The title : a fanfare, a declaration and a manifesto.

This collection of thirteen new recordings brings us
to some kind of pinnacle in Ms Harris's long career.

She must know this to be true. The evidence is there for us to hear.

After the dry, rasping austerity of 'Red Dirt Girl' (2000);
the warm, reassuring classicism of 'Stumble Into Grace' (2003)
and the uncomfortably eneven collaboration with Mr Knopfler,
'All The Road Running' (2006); 'All I Intended To Be' is a
trancendent epiphany. A true and perfect wonder.

Maturity of voice and musical vision; finely honed interpretive insight
and the ability to create a sense of intense gravitas from the simplest
ingredients are all marks of an artist functioning at the very
height of her remarkable powers.

A track by track deconstruction would seem somehow ignoble given
material of such consumate beauty.

Suffice to say that with the song 'All That You Have Is Your Soul'
the world seems to turn to face the sun. Music to warm the coldest spirit.

Either side of it twelve more wonderful examples of songs to raise
your hopes and break your heart.

Quintessential.

Inimitable.

Sublime.


A disappointment, 02 Jul 2008
Not rubbish. How could any Emmy Lou Harris album ever be, but be returning to producer Brian Ahern, she has effectively gone back to the sound if her 1976 album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town", and that's one step too far back to the future. After the progressive nature of her last three albums, Emmylou has obviously decided she doesn't want her rock fans any more, and to say the same thing again,she's gone backwards.

Make no mistake though, this album is beautifully played and exquisitely sung (who would have expected anything else) but after a few listens, I can't remember any of the songs.

A huge disappointment, and if in any doubt buy "Quarter Moon", it's fabulous.

They say there's ne progress in this kind of music, and here's the proof

Exceptional, 26 Jun 2008
Rapidly shaping up to be one of the best of 2008, this is probably Emmylou Harris's best record since Spyboy, although stylistically it is closer to Wrecking Ball, and I have to add that there was nothing at all wrong with the intervening works.

It was a well-placed, curiosity-pricking ad for Spyboy, Harris's 1998 live album, that got me started. Until then I'd only had a vague regard for the "country" genre. After, I was hooked, and was amazed at her ubiquity, finding her making appearances with Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, as well as being the driving force behind the Gram Parsons tribute The Return Of The Grievous Angel (Brilliant. I don't care what the reviewers say).

And they return the compliment, with Dolly here joining Harris on Gold, their voices intertwining perfectly.

Emmylou Harris is not, of course, just about country. The rhythm section she brought to London in the wake of Spyboy would not, on the evidence of their jamming mid-concert, have looked out of place with Herbie Hancock. Ricky Skaggs, at one time part of Harris's band, remarked rather petulantly of her more recent music that it was "not country", but all of it, country and otherwise, shares a cabinet with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and The Clash in my world. The label is everything and nothing.

But though country is, I guess, what this latest offering is closer to, what counts is that the songs, music and production add up to an exceptional experience.

Songs first. Some great originals; some superb covers. Standouts in the latter category are Merle Haggard's Kern River; Billy Joe Shaver's Old Five And Dimers Like Me; and a totally stunning version of Tracy Chapman's All That You Have Is Your Soul, which comes about closest to a political statement here, and has a trace of Lovin' You Again, from Cowgirl's Prayer, just as the rendition of Crowley and Routh's Beyond The Great Divide has a fade reminiscent of Gone, Long Gone from Trio II. Almost inevitably there is also a song cowritten by Harris with the McGarrigles, How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower. Also inevitable is that the sisters joined in on the recording.

Musically there is a stellar array of contributors, armed with an arsenal of instrumentation from mandolin, through accordion, banjo and fiddle, together with the obligatory guitars, Dobro and steel and some exotica such as mandocello and baritone electric guitar. Musicians include old standbys such as Buddy Miller (the only thing a girl needs, as she described him when they appeared on Jools Holland's show) and John Starling.

Finally, the production, and the tribute to that element is that, although this collection has taken several years in gestation it sounds, as Bob Harris observed when Emmylou appeared on his radio programme, of one time.

Two closing notes. First, listening this gave me an even greater appetite to listen to Harris's back catalogue. And second, it is very seldom that I will play a record two times in succession: this is one of the exceptions.


Plucking Marvellous!!, 06 Nov 2008
I've really enjoyed Brad Paisley's albums over the years, in fact I would rate "Time Well Wasted" as one of my top 10 favourite albums of all times. I think it was because TWW was so strong that I was disappointed with its follow-up, "5th Gear" (which featured many good moments but relied too much on lame schoolboy humour). But this is very much a return to form!

The instrumental tracks on his previous albums have always superb and I was delighted when I heard that this was to be a fully instrumental album (OK, plans changed but it's still mostly instrumental!). Brad's guitar work is, as ever, amazing; but collective playing throughout this CD is nothing short of brilliant. What I love about BP's albums is that he allows the other players to shine and this collection does that in spades. To highlight a few key moments for me there is the fiddle on the opening track "Huckleberry Jam", the mandolin on "Playing with Fire", and both the piano and stell guitar on "Les is More". "Cluster Pluck", despite the awful title, will probably be the most played track due to its star-studded cast list of James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Redd Volkeart. It works well but probably isn't quite as good as the similar sounding instrumental version of "Luxury Liner" featuring BP as a guest that appeared on one of Albert Lee's albums a few years back (in fact at one point the riff from "Luxury Liner" is played during "Cluster Pluck"!).

Of the four vocal tracks, the duet with the late Buck Owens is the best. There's nothing wrong with the others, just nothing particularly special, and this includes "Let The Good Times Roll" with BB King.

The only black mark on this collection is the inclusion of another tiresome 'comedy' track! I surely can't be the only one who thinks he should drop them??

I can imagine that some Paisley fans won't like this collection and agree that it's unlike his other albums, but wow! This boy really can 'Play'!!

Brad wanted to do it., 05 Nov 2008
The average Brad Paisley album is chock full of humour, superb musicianship and upbeat and slow tempo songs. This is something slightly different. Brad Paisley wanted to do a guitar based album and this is the result which, unfortunately, means there are far more pure instrumental tracks than usual. There is nothing wrong with the playing by any means but the highlights for me are still the songs that combine the singing and playing especially the duet he made from a demo of the legendary Buck Owens called "Come on in". It is a brilliant tribute to Bucks talents. I did enjoy this album but, I hope, that Brad returns to a full vocal album for his next one.

Worth the Wait, 22 Oct 2008
All hail the mighty Paul Heaton!
Lyrical genius and musician - you need to add this album to your collection immediately!

Now this IS Superbi!, 14 Jul 2008
As someone who was barely satisfied with what could be The Beautiful South's last ever studio album, 'Superbi', I am more than pleased that Paul Heaton's second solo album is a far more raucous and memorable affair than many of the recent Beautiful South efforts. This is an album which, unlike 'Superbi', you will want to replay again and again. It has life, warmth, caustic wit and humour. It also has plenty of great memorable tunes (the single 'Mermaids And Slaves' is certainly as good as, if not better than, anything The Beautiful South have released this decade) and is packed full of brilliant lyrics which deal, often cynically and near-brutally, with the modern world and its often less than consistent inhabitants;

"Let's fool and coerce/The singer of verse/Died of insufferable pain,
Let's fuel the dream/Every Buckley or Dean/Was genius, misjudged or insane"
('Mermaids And Slaves')

"When someone starts a sentence/With 'I'm not racist but'
You know that the sentence is bound to end/With where they think they should be put
So next time you hear them singing/Of A land so free and brave
You know the place they hang their flag/Is where they hung their slave"
('A Good Old Fashioned Town')

"And the thin are getting thinner/The big are getting bigger
Till 5 and 75 year olds/Worry 'bout their figure
The big are getting bigger/The thin are getting thinner
Till everyone's looking (everyone's cooking)/At everyone else's dinner"
('Everything Is Everything')

I don't want to pull this album apart, track-by-track, because I really don't want to give too much away, but I believe that the content and style will be recognisable to every fan of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South and solo Heaton. All I can really say is that this is one of Paul's most enjoyable albums, with or without his bandmates and creative collaborators, and that nearly every fan of the man will be delighted with the excellent 'Cross Eyed Rambler', which is - in my opinion - twice the album of his solo debut.

Heaton has far surpassed my expectations..., 13 Jul 2008
Although I enjoyed the final Beautiful South offering 'Superbi', it's not the one I'll be listening to frequently over the course of time. I think that I was kind of expecting Paul Heaton's 'Cross Eyed Rambler' to end up sounding reprocessed and lacking any life or originality. I am astonishingly blown away. I'm still in awe thinking....how could he still be writing such incredible music after so many years!'. One would think the creative well would run dry at one point but I can honestly say, it seems his creative well is far far from dry. This cd just reminds me of a perfect blend of his entire career, there's a hint and dash from the Housemartins, and really from every Beautiful South disc. Lyrically, he is still as brilliant and witty as ever. Cheers to this incredible new release, I'm grinning from ear to ear, grateful and well, I know what will be on constant rotation for a long time to come.

Don't ramble, pay attention, 11 Jul 2008
I was very sad to hear the demise of the Beautiful South, but having already got Paul's previous album 'Fat Chance', the new album was a must. It has arrived and I am not disappointed, it is excellent. Lyrical as is all Paul's work with loads of catchy songs. Many of these tracks hark back to the 'Housemartins' with a much more basic sound and lots of energy. Much of the 'Beautiful South's' work was very melodic and carefully structured, this album seems to be a lot more basic, and I think is really good for that reason.

Lyrical genius shares his genius with us all, 11 Jul 2008
Paul Heaton has delivered a record of originality and energy. He has stripped back the layers of The Beautiful South and created a raw sound of guitar, bass, and drums. He is the Bertolt Brecht of modern music. Creating a theatre in his lyrics that questions and probes without pulling you in with sentimentality. He delivers the facts with poetry; and paints picture after picture. A wonderful record.

Alison at her best, 01 Jul 2008
Alison Krauss I guess is one of those singers you either love or hate. She has a tonal quality that for me epitomises the very best in Bluegrass. This album is no exception. The sheer quality of her voice is at time unbelievable
and whilst it is true she veers away from pure bluegrass - her strength is that she can carry this off with huge credibility. I bought this album not only because I love Alison Krauss - but I heard her wonderful duet with James Taylor of "hows the world treating you?"- and simply had to have it! This is an old song recorded by Elvis in his early days - and hearing Alison and James brought back all those memories of wonderful songs, and meaningful lyrics. I also adore her version of "I'm just a country boy/girl" formerly recorded by Don Williams - but for me Alison nails it!


Very enjoyable. Good music., 20 Nov 2007
This is not a bluegrass album. Whilst Krauss does sing bluegrass especially when with Union Station, she does not restrict herself to bluegrass. This is a collection of songs from different project with some previously unreleased. There are songs from Cold Mountain and O Brother. Her vocals are beautiful. The songs are excellent and varied in style. Highlights include the incredibly sad Jacobs dream. The deserved CMA award winning song with brad Paisley 'Whiskey Lullaby' is powerful. The Duet with Waite on MIssing You works very well. I am not a big fan of Krauss but after this album and the one with Palmer, I am becoming one. This is a very good collection. Recommended.

Update your collection of Alison's music with this great compilation., 10 Aug 2007
This is a lovely album, though quite different from what we normally get from Alison Krauss. Do not expect a bluegrass album, though one or more members of the superb Union Station appear on 10 of the 16 tracks. The lively hoedown 'Sawing on The Strings' is the nearest we get to a bluegrass song, with twin fiddles from Alison and Stuart Duncan. The brilliant Jerry Douglas appears on 6 of the tracks, and I was particularly taken by his lap steel sound on tracks 2 and 16. None of the songs here have appeared on any of Alison's own albums. Some will be familiar to many, however, particularly 'Down To The Valley To Pray' from 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', sung a cappella with a choir of mostly well-known names billed as the First Baptist Church Choir Of White House, Tennessee. There's also 'Molly Ban (Bawn)' from The Chieftains' album 'Down The Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions', the atmospheric 'The Scarlet Tide' and 'You Will Be My Ain True Love' from the film 'Cold Mountain', and 'How's The World Treating You', a duet with James Taylor I first heard on a tribute album to the Louvin Brothers. Also perhaps familiar to some will be Alison's duet with Brad Paisley on 'Whiskey Lullaby', a country hit for Jon Randall, who co-wrote the song with veteran legendary songwriter Bill Anderson. This is one of those typical stone country songs that seem rather maudlin to my UK ears. It has a strong melody and is here sung sincerely and without irony. There are 5 new songs, tracks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 16, all extremely good, which to me make an otherwise very good album into an essential one for any fan of Alison's music. The album starts and ends with 2 songs associated with Don Williams, here given a beautiful, slower reading. Alison's distinctive, expressive voice makes them sound as if they are brand new. The latter, 'Lay Down Beside Me', is the second of 2 duets with John Waite, which work very well. With this song, and the duet with JT you'll be able to sing the harmony lines, as they are so distinctive. In addition to the Don Williams covers, my own favourite track is the wonderful 'Get Me Through December' with some lovely fiddle playing from Natalie MacMaster. A real treat. The accompanying 16-page booklet is very informative and gives all track details.
A worthy collection, in my view, which though quite varied, hangs together well. With 16 tracks totalling over 67 minutes, it's very good value too.

Disappointing, 07 Aug 2007
I am probably at odds with most AK fans but this to me is a disappointing album. AK continually tries to straddle bluegrass with mainstream country. She has a divine voice and is an accomplished fiddle player and when teamed with Union Station, is there really a better group of musicians on the planet? But this album is another attempt to project her into mainstream country or even crossover and like previous solo projects is neither fish nor fowl. I find her solo output forced and cloying. She deserves to be recognised as a leading lady of country music but I have listened to this album once and am unlikely to do so again.

wonderful, 03 May 2007
If you are already a fan of Alison Krauss this album is a must have. It includes songs which cannot be found on her other albums and comprises of duets with other artists and songs off soundtracks. Soft and melodious for the most part this is a wonderful album to just sit back and relax to.
That said, you don't need to be a fan of hers to enjoy this! As long as you have some appreciation for country music and the various themes they tackle this album will appeal to you.

Dolly Parton 2008 UPDATE, 20 Jun 2008
Has much has i Like Dolly Parton, I do wonder how many more times are her managers going to release her Greatest Hits & Best Of Albums.
I think she should come back and do something New!!

I brought Dolly Partons Greatest Hits back in 1999 The Album i have is a 2x Disc version With the same songs and same listings in the exact same track listing order has these 2 seperate Albums!! Why it has been Re-released has two seperate Volumes is beyond me, Especially when the version i have is still avalible to buy.

I have given this a 4 Star if it was a New greatest hits it would have got a 5 Star, However it isn't. And plus it's not Dolly's thought i blame the record company!!! :-)



The greatest hits, 15 Jan 2008
These are the greatest hits of Dolly, which together with those on The Very Best volume 2 represent her most commercially successful songs. It includes catchy pop like Love's Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5 from the movie of the same name, flowing ballads like the duet with Kenny Rogers, traditional country ballads like My Tennessee Mountain Home and Silver Threads And Golden Needles with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, exquisite vocal pop like To Know Him Is To love Him with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the moving autobiographical story song Coat of Many Colors and passionate country numbers like Jolene and Baby I'm Burning. This is an excellent introduction to the music of one of the most delightful of all female country singers but for longtime fans, the real gems are found on albums like Coat Of Many Colors, The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - 20 greatest Hits, and on Little Sparrow and The Grass is Blue.

The Latest Dolly Parton Compilation, 07 Apr 2007
There have been literally 100s of Dolly compilation albums released, dating back from the early 70s!!!
She is of course a great singer, my all time favorite and although this disc offers fans nothing new it's still worth getting if your a causal fan, someone who wants to a own a solid overview of her hits or someone who's just discovered The Queen Of Country Music or if your like me, a die hard fan who needs to own EVERY Parton CD,LP,tape,video released!!
This CD includes all the hits you know and love, "Jolene", "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You" plus duets with Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and of course Kenny Rogers.
This disc also is special because it's Dol's 1st ever top 10 album in England, it's highest peaking at no.8, well done Dol your still as great as ever.
So then i fully recommened this CD, it's running high on hits covering her first top 30 hit single in Amercia from the late 60s "Dumb Blonde" to a duet with country queens Tammy and Lorretta from 1993. Decades of Dolly to be enjoyed therfore!
Also be sure to pick up the follow up to this CD, "The Very Best Of Dolly Parton Vol.2", it contains further hits plus album highlights.

DOLLY RULES!!!

Disappointing, 21 Nov 2008
I was a big fan of Taylor after her first album came out but this album is really disappointing. All the songs sound quite similar and are forgetable.


Beautiful and worth the wait!, 15 Nov 2008
It took a lot of effort to get this album in England, but it was definately worth it! Every song is beautiful - the lyrics are often stunning and the beats are very catchy.
Standouts on the album for me are: Tell Me Why, a simple song, but one whos lyrics blow me away. Forever & Always is also a firm favourite. The passion in Taylor;s voice is amazing.
Fiteen and The Best Day will have you in floods of tears. I promise.
Breathe is a grower, as is The Way I Loved You, however both are still fabulous, and the lyrics again give them the edge on other country-pop songs.
Overall, I would definately recommend this album. I believe it's something that EVERYONE should have heard...haha, it really is amazing. Really.
<3

Young & Blonde, but not your average airhead singer., 12 Nov 2008
Taylor Swift's greatest appeal is her age - 16 when her self titled debut was released, 18 now. She is also a bit of a novelty in "popular" contemporary music in that she writes her own songs, or at least co-writes. She isn't a power ballad singer, and it's one of the main things I like about her. She doesn't feel the urge to scream her way through a song, she just sings.

I am surprised - and pleased - that "Fearless" has surpassed her debut. With age, her voice and her songwriting abilities have improved though she still retains the simplicity and innocence which make her so very endearing.

The album's opener "Fearless" is one of my favourites. It's very Taylor; young love and cute without being too sickly. It's followed by "Fifteen" which is undoubtedly my favourite. Those of us who are no longer 15 can look back wistfully and agree with her sentiements, and those that still are will find in it something to relate to.

"Love Story" is addictive. I have been listening to this for months now, and still haven't grown tired of it. I find myself singing all day "it's a love story, baby, just say yes". For me it's the best Taylor single to date. "Hey Stephen" though I like it isn't a particular favourite. It's listenable, and there's nothing unpleasant about it - it just doesn't stand out.

I first heard "White Horse" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and that was the moment I really anticipated her sophmore effort. It's beautiful and understated. "You Belong With Me" is something that many teenage girls [and grown ups] can relate to. It's a story old as time - girl wants boy, boy doesn't know she exists. However, it's well written and it doesn't make me sigh with irritation, that most every artist has a song like this.

"Breathe" is a duet with Colbie Caillat, who I am also a big fan of, though not of the song. It's the only few times on this album I was disappointed. "Tell Me Why" and "You're Not Sorry" are easy on the ear, and as always in their simplicity, beautiful. "T