Country grande dame Dolly Parton is here with what she presents as her first rock album in a nearly six-decade career. His voice and character allow the attack and you wonder why it took him so long. Working, of course, is anything but shy or cautious: Rockstar, a name with no half-measures, tells us from the title track that he feels this way, that he is a rock’n’roll star and is also understood as a place that transcends gender. , an attitude towards life. “They say if you can dream it/you can achieve it,” he sings while surrounded by live guitars.
Rockstar clearly reflects a classic rock approach with hard metal sympathies. It is assumed to be the influence of her husband (since 1966) Carl Dean, who was apparently a huge fan of bands such as Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. With an extra-long guest list that includes one for each of nearly 30 songs, it shows us that Dolly Parton has a lot of friends. He failed to juggle the agendas to include Mick Jagger and received a hearty disapproval from Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, but the parade of his glittering colleagues is spectacular. It’s a shame that the repertoire combines some premiere pieces with a series of landmarks from yesterday and the day before yesterday; some of them are pretty obvious: from Every Breath You Take (featuring Sting) to Purple Rain including Wrecking Ball (featuring Miley Cyrus). ) and a (no I can’t get) Satisfaction shared with Pink and Brandi Carlile, and it tastes like plain and simple fun.
“Greedy” politicians
Highlights include new songs like I want you back featuring Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), as well as the fun and rock ‘n’ roll I dream about Elvis. And the grumpy Bygones, with Rob Halford (Judas Priest) as a formidable partner. On World on Fire, Parton attempts to lift her own song, We Will Rock You, with a combative beat and text that takes aim at climate change and government inaction, drawing attention to “greedy politicians present and past.” Interestingly, five tracks further on we find self-confessed Trumpist Kid Rock on the drinkable Either or Either.
A one-on-one with Stevie Nicks in an unreleased track What Rock and Roll Did to You, a celebration of beautiful and common (gender) struggles, Parton points out You’re No Good with Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow. And it is worth mentioning Let It Be, with its heartfelt crescendo, supported by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and in short the numerous VIP duets that will be lined up in the showcase: Elton John, Simon Le Bon, Debbie Harry, Peter Frampton, Pat Benatar… Above all, Ms. Parton’s voice is very distinct, with her own presence, and at 77, she’s still a pimp.