Dolly Parton arrives for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on March 7, 2022, in Las Vegas. Credit: Bridget Bennett via TNS
Seasoned singer and country legend Dolly Parton released her 50th studio album — titled “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables” — Friday, marking another milestone in her long career, with her first release being in 1967.
The “9 to 5” singer took this opportunity to highlight the community that helped shape her music and identity; in fact, the album features recordings from more than 20 of Parton’s relatives, along with retellings of childhood stories and traditional folklore. In addition, it was entirely written and produced by the Parton family.
According to a Friday article from the Daily Herald, the idea for this record began brewing as early as 2010, when Parton’s cousin and producer Richie Owens — a long-time archivist and storyteller — joined the project.
Wanting deceased family members to still be represented, Owens utilized AI technology to flesh out old recordings and incorporate snippets into the new album’s songs.
“With the technology that’s been available, we were able to achieve wonderful, miraculous situations where we were able to go in and build new music tracks,” Owens said during the Daily Herald interview.
The first track on “Smoky Mountain DNA” is actually a speech from Parton herself, which details the long history of her family’s legacy in Appalachia and the link between her roots and her music.
With lyrics like, “Music’s been in our blood for generations, a precious gift passed down from our ancestors,” this track makes for a strong start to the album, spotlighting Parton’s classic persona while also introducing new insights into her life.
Parton explains the significant influence her childhood and heritage had on both her discography and her core values, setting a wholesome tone that only deepens the meaning of her music.
The album’s second track, “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” describes Parton’s peaceful upbringing. The progression of guitar instrumentation and vocal crescendos makes for a catchy tune, and the addition of classic Southern musical instrumentation such as harmonica, guitar and banjo ensures the track is well-rounded.
The song also speaks true to Parton’s country roots, using rich imagery to establish a traditional Southern scene. The lyrics, “Honeysuckle vine clings to the fence along the lane, their fragrance makes the summer wind sweet,” are simple but effective, conveying her appreciation for her family and adding a level of relatability for listeners likely imagining their own childhoods.
The album’s title track, “Smoky Mountain DNA,” does not disappoint as a namesake. As a whole, the song succeeds in showcasing Parton’s timeless vocals and classic Southern-folk sound.
The lyrics might be considered repetitive by some, but what the track lacks in creativity, it makes up for in catchy instrumentalism and energetic lyrics.
“I don’t need someone to tell me what I already know,” Parton sings. “I know my true identity, I am a wild mountain rose.”
“Heart Don’t Fail Me Now,” the album’s 13th track, is a heartwarming collaboration between Parton and her sister, Stella Parton, who has produced her own music since the 1970s.
The song discusses heartbreak, longing and acceptance, all while maintaining an upbeat melody and following the timeline of the sisters’ upbringing.
The sisters sing, “Oh, heart, don’t fail me now, be strong. We’ll make it somehow. Just accept the fact, he’s someone else’s now,” a strong contributor to the album’s overall themes of preserving family traditions and honoring loved ones.
The 24th track, called “The Orchard,” pays homage to individual members of the Parton family, showing appreciation for late loved ones and the legacies they left behind.
Jada Star, a Nashville-based artist and Dolly Parton’s niece, is credited as the sole writer of the track. She and Dolly Parton sing in interchanging verses, “Even though some leaves have gently fallen, we all know new trees will grow,” celebrating the cycle of life and honoring their shared ancestors.
Overall, this track is a beautiful representation of the love Dolly Parton holds for her family and wider community.
Though the album’s overarching themes are heartwarming and relatable, many tracks feel out of place or unnecessary, strictly appealing to the record’s storytelling aspect.
This album comprises 37 tracks, a number that fans might find difficult to commit to. Several interludes, such as “Rosewood Casket” and “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” feel more superfluous than genuinely interesting, lending themselves to Dolly Parton’s intended message but falling short of easy-listening status.
Even so, “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables” lives up to its title and Dolly Parton’s decades-old legacy. It might not be an excessively popular installment in her music career, but the album still offers valuable insight into her adolescence and highlights the life of a famed family.
Rating: 3.5/5
