Little Sparrow

SANCD074

Following in the wake of Dolly’s greatly successful album The Grass Is Blue last year, the richly textured Little Sparrow succeeds in a similar fashion. Released in January on the Sanctuary label, Little Sparrow has already garnered rave reviews. 14 tracks, superbly combining six of Dolly’s own songs with choice covers, creating an expressive album of bluegrass and folk music.

   Opening with Dolly’s own newly written title track, we move along at a steady pace with the gospel tinged ‘Shine’, heavily dominated by the banjo of Jim Mills. The gospel theme is later continued with Dolly’s own sweet arrangement of the traditional ‘In The Sweet By And By’ with the inclusion of an Irish verse sung by Mairead NiMhaonaighi.

   One of the most thrilling tracks on the album, ‘I Don't Believe You’ve Met My Baby’, is presented slightly slower than the Louvin Brothers 1956 hit version, though much faster than that of Alison Krauss on her Now That I’ve Found You album. Dolly sets the pace as she speeds along with her bluegrass version of Steve Young’s ‘Seven Bridges Road’, a thoroughly exhilarating track.

  With a move back to ‘Bluer Pastures’, Dolly passionately conjures up visions of her earlier Tennessee mountain home, while paying homage to the father of bluegrass with the mention of Mr Bill Monroe and his mandolin, in this second new track from the pen of Ms Parton. The delicate beauty of Randy Sharp’s ‘A Tender Lie’ fits Dolly’s gentle vocals perfectly and setting the senses reeling with emotion.

  There are approximately 33 musicians and guest artistes contributing their talents to Little Sparrow. This who’s who includes legendary names such as Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Barry Bales, Alison Krauss, Ronda Vincent, Claire Lynch and the band Altan. There are so many gems in this box of jewels, that it is impossible to highlight each and every track. Dolly has always been synonymous with story songs and ‘Mountain Angel’ tells of the wild lady who roams the mountains after her life is turned upside down by tragedy. A complete change of style sees an exciting acoustic swing version of Cole Porter’s ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’. An exquisite album and I’m certain that you’ll get a kick out of Little Sparrow.