JOIN USIn the 1970s and 80s, Dolly Parton, known primarily for her work in country music, was quite popular in India with songs like ‘Jolene’ and ‘9 to 5.’
Pure & Simple, is her 43rd solo studio largely acoustic album. Four of the 10 songs have been recycled from the album previously recorded by Parton in one form or another. All the songs in the album are love songs.
The title track ‘Pure & Simple’ celebrates uncomplicated love, and is easy on the ears with acoustic guitar, drums and mandolin lead. ‘Say Forever You’ll Be Mine’, with acoustic guitar and fiddle, was originally recorded as a duet with Porter Wagoner for their 1975 album by the same name. ‘Never Not Love You’ is about a love that transcends barriers and could be any kind of love. It’s a vow to never stop loving someone and always being there for them. ‘Kiss It (And Make It All Better)’ is a song that begins in childhood and goes into youth and beyond.
‘Can’t Be That Wrong’, with a few lyrical differences, was previously recorded as ‘God Won’t Get You’, and released on the soundtrack to Parton’s 1984 film Rhinestone. ‘Outside Your Door’ is about a woman who can’t stop thinking about her love. ‘Tomorrow Is Forever’ was originally recorded as a duet with Wagoner for their 1970 album. ‘I’m Sixteen’, a song about how love keeps you forever young, may seem odd coming from a singer who turned 70 this year.
‘Head Over High Heels’, with electric guitar and back-up singers, is rambunctious. ‘Forever Love’ is a sugary sweet and sentimental track. On the whole, the album is literally pure and simple both in terms of music and lyrics.