Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie (Dolly Records / Universal Music Canada)

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While drivel such as Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith rules country music radio these days, classic country artists such as George Jones and Dolly Parton are shunned and left to being mere nostalgia acts despite remaining active recording artists. These classic country artists (including the 62-year-old Parton) should be given more respect than what is currently offered to them -- the genre would be nothing without them.

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Blending a classic country sound with a slight pop influence, Parton shines on tracks such as the positively upbeat Better Get To Livin' and The Lonesomes. Parton's most genuine sounding and incidentally the best moments found here though are on ballads such as Backwoods Barbie and I Will Forever Hate Roses. Although Parton fails to reinvent the wheel on this most recent record, fans looking for pure and simple classic country music should really enjoy the latest offering from this country music icon.