The Fairest of Them All cover

The Fairest of Them All

Dolly Parton · 1970

27 min · 11 tracks · folk · gospel · bluegrass music

A heartfelt blend of traditional country melodies and poignant storytelling, wrapped in Dolly's warm vocals.

Why this album works

'The Fairest of Them All' features the poignant track 'Down From Dover,' which gained attention for its emotional narrative. While it didn't achieve significant commercial success compared to her later works, the album solidified Parton's status as a serious artist with storytelling prowess, influencing future generations of country musicians.
Career context
Released on February 2, 1970, 'The Fairest of Them All' was Dolly Parton's sixth studio album. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from being a successful songwriter to a prominent solo artist, following the breakthrough success of her previous album 'Hello, I'm Dolly.' This album showcases her developing sound and lyrical depth as she began to establish her unique voice in the country music scene.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Daddy Come and Get Me Standout 2:59
  • 2 Chas 2:21
  • 3 When Possession Gets Too Strong 2:02
  • 4 Before You Make Up Your Mind 2:10
  • 5 I’m Doing This for Your Sake 2:10
  • 6 But You Loved Me Then 1:57
  • 7 Just the Way I Am 2:27
  • 8 More Than Their Share 2:19
  • 9 Mammie Standout 3:08
  • 10 Down From Dover Standout 3:42
  • 11 Robert 2:38

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata