Released 27 years ago this October
The Grass Is Blue
Dolly Parton · 1999
44 min · 13 tracks · country music
A heartfelt blend of bluegrass and country, weaving poignant storytelling with Dolly Parton's distinctive voice.
Top tracks — play these first
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Travelin’ Prayer Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its heartfelt lyrics and classic bluegrass instrumentation, establishing the album's emotional depth right away.
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I Still Miss Someone — Parton’s rendition captures profound nostalgia and longing, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotions through simple yet evocative storytelling.
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The Grass Is Blue — The title track embodies the album's themes of loss and resilience, reflecting Parton's skillful blending of personal narrative with broader human experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional bluegrass with Dolly's storytelling, showcasing her vocal strength and craftsmanship.
What we noticed
- Several tracks are covers of classic songs, reinterpreted with a bluegrass arrangement that highlights the storytelling aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective listening
- heartfelt storytelling in every track
- nostalgic themes of love and
- ideal for cozy evening moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic music
- seek immediate, catchy singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Marks a return to bluegrass roots, showcasing artistic ambition and depth.
- Themes
- bluegrass roots· heartfelt storytelling· nostalgic longing
- Moods
- Nostalgic· Introspective
- Career context
- Released in 1999, The Grass Is Blue marked Dolly Parton's return to her roots in bluegrass after years of mainstream success. At this point in her career, she had firmly established herself as a pop and country icon, but sought to reconnect with traditional sounds, highlighting her versatility as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Emmylou Harris· Linda Ronstadt· Patsy Cline
Tracklist
- 1 Travelin’ Prayer Start here 4:15
- 2 Cash on the Barrelhead 3:07
- 3 A Few Old Memories 4:01
- 4 I’m Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open 3:04
- 5 Steady as the Rain 3:04
- 6 I Still Miss Someone 3:37
- 7 Endless Stream of Tears 2:39
- 8 Silver Dagger 4:54
- 9 Train, Train 2:49
- 10 I Wonder Where You Are Tonight 3:13
- 11 Will He Be Waiting for Me 3:25
- 12 The Grass Is Blue 3:43
- 13 I Am Ready 2:44
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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