DOLLY PARTON: Rockstar (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Seeing Dolly Parton appear on the pages of Music Waves for her forty-ninth album might come as a surprise. "What's the country-music legend got to do with it?" ask the classification fundamentalists. The answer is relatively simple, since it's no coincidence that this opus is called "Rockstar". After initially declining the offer, the 67-year-old artist finally agreed to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022. However, not feeling legitimate to the honour, the American decided to justify her new status by offering a veritable collection of songs dedicated to rock.

Dolly Parton has spared no expense in doing so, with a classic version of thirty tracks, including nine new compositions and twenty-one covers, and an endless list of guests. Mick Jagger had to decline for contractual reasons, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant because of their schedules, and Bob Seger because of vocal problems. Despite these defections, it is impossible to list all the participants at the risk of causing indigestion, especially as the participation of some is relatively discreet. Sting, for example, was content to sing backing vocals on the cover of 'Every Breath You Take'. It's also surprising to note the presence of tracks and contributors such as the cover of Blondie's 'Heart Of Glass', which is more in the disco vein. As for the presence of Miley Cyrus to perform her 'Wrecking Ball' with her godmother, it could also be debatable.

As you'll have gathered, and as you'd expect from such an abundance of material, there's plenty to choose from here. But it's surprising to find that most of the tracks really worth checking out are compositions written by Dolly Parton for this event, like the eponymous track which energetically opens the festivities in the company of Richie Sambora. The bluesy power-ballad 'I Want You Back' also stands out, with Steven Tyler in fine form and Warren Haynes as indispensable as ever. 'Bygones' goes downright metal with the help of Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx and John 5, and there's a rocking 'Tried To Rock And Roll Me' with Melissa Etheridge. Finally, since it's impossible to go into too much detail here, we're disappointed by the flatness of the covers of Prince's 'Purple Rain' and Queen's legendary 'We Are The Champions'. As for the version of Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven' with flautist Lizzo, it's sure to help put even the most recalcitrant children to sleep as the sandman passes by.

Although uneven in quality, 'Rockstar' is nevertheless an opus worth discovering, if only because of the approach it represents. Indeed, taking the risk of venturing into artistic territory that is not one's own deserves respect from an artist whose career did not necessarily require it. - Official website

DOLLY PARTON

ROCKSTAR

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK