:: dolly parton
As I couldn't remember what I got Lottie for her last birthday, I made damn sure we'd both remember her thirty-fourth. As part of a suave routine we visited Bramham international horse trials a few days before, and on the day I got her a bottle of whisky, a few cigars and a trinklet to put on her phone. Just like I had forgotten her birthday, a few things I could rustle up quickly. But ah. I got her tickets to a Dolly Parton concert as well. She had two weeks to get mad excited about it - and with help of a Dolly album in the car she managed that easily.
Before you say anything, yes I realise Dolly Parton isn't an obvious artist to love. She has no qualms about plastic surgery and singing about love for Jesus for example, both sicken me a bit. The country & western scene itself is a bit faux and conservative too - but I can get past all that. She can sing beautifully and some of her songs are simply brilliant. Unlike many other artists, she writes most her material herself, plays most instruments needed, and sings beautifully. If you disagree, just listen to this particular tune:
Her latest album "Backwoods Barbie" is actually a return to traditional country music. She wrote nine of the eleven songs on it, and again it features some songs I just have to love. Even though my favourite bands are Faithless and the Offspring. Looking up the tracks again on Youtube, unfortunately I notice she's rehashing her jokes at every concert. Still. You can't beat a bit of Dolly. Even Dolly doing a bit of Fine Young Cannibals!
Getting to the concert was a bit of bother unfortunately. As we stood waiting for the bus, I started humming. "Islands in the stream, that is what we are. Watching cars go by for the past half hour.. Sail away with me, to another world, and we rely on a taxi uh-oh.." But we got to town eventually. I had never been to the MEN Arena before, and inside it struck me it's basically an old football stadium with a roof on. I am not that impressed by concrete, let alone small seats up in the stands. Despite Dolly cracking out dsome fantastic tunes, hardly anyone stood up to dance. Even in front of the podium people at best stared at her adoringly. That said, the sound was good, and when "9 to 5" finally got played we definitely danced regardless.
Before you say anything, yes I realise Dolly Parton isn't an obvious artist to love. She has no qualms about plastic surgery and singing about love for Jesus for example, both sicken me a bit. The country & western scene itself is a bit faux and conservative too - but I can get past all that. She can sing beautifully and some of her songs are simply brilliant. Unlike many other artists, she writes most her material herself, plays most instruments needed, and sings beautifully. If you disagree, just listen to this particular tune:
Her latest album "Backwoods Barbie" is actually a return to traditional country music. She wrote nine of the eleven songs on it, and again it features some songs I just have to love. Even though my favourite bands are Faithless and the Offspring. Looking up the tracks again on Youtube, unfortunately I notice she's rehashing her jokes at every concert. Still. You can't beat a bit of Dolly. Even Dolly doing a bit of Fine Young Cannibals!
Getting to the concert was a bit of bother unfortunately. As we stood waiting for the bus, I started humming. "Islands in the stream, that is what we are. Watching cars go by for the past half hour.. Sail away with me, to another world, and we rely on a taxi uh-oh.." But we got to town eventually. I had never been to the MEN Arena before, and inside it struck me it's basically an old football stadium with a roof on. I am not that impressed by concrete, let alone small seats up in the stands. Despite Dolly cracking out dsome fantastic tunes, hardly anyone stood up to dance. Even in front of the podium people at best stared at her adoringly. That said, the sound was good, and when "9 to 5" finally got played we definitely danced regardless.