Welcome to Jolene, Dolly Parton’s 13th solo studio album, released in 1974 on RCA and produced by Bob Ferguson. The album’s title track as well as “I Will Always Love You” were big hits for Parton and even bigger hits for other stars (the latter, of course, for Whitney Houston). The album was released at a time when Parton was beginning to focus on her solo career and moving on from Porter Wagoner’s weekly TV series and road show. Some say “I Will Always Love You” expresses regret about that ending. Ronnie Lankford for AllMusic criticizes the strength of the female characters on this album, and it is interesting to listen to these songs through modern feminist ears. Often the lead on this collection are women who can’t let go of men they should let go of, or women whose men are seduced by other women. This is ironic, considering Dolly Parton’s strength and poise and what a role model she is for so many women and so many women performers.

Lineup

Casey Harper
The Tin Man
Ryan Horne
Andrea Demarcus
Faye Webster

Side A
1.Jolene
Casey Harper
2.When Someone Wants to Leave
The Tin Man
3.River of Happiness
Ryan Horne
4.Early Morning Breeze
Andrea Demarcus
5.Highlight of My Life
Faye Webster

Side B
6.I Will Always Love You
Ryan Horne
7.Randy
Faye Webster
8.Living On Memories of You
Casey Harper
9.Lonely Comin’ Down
The Tin Man
10.It Must Be You
Andrea Demarcus