DOLLY PARTON – A Holly Dolly Christmas (Butterfly Records190296823435)

A Holly Dolly ChristmasDolly saves Christmas. That’s what this album SHOULD be called. Instead it’s a cheeky re-work of the familiar Christmas song ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’, and indeed this is the opening track, with the exact amount of Dolly sass you’d expect.

More good news, there’s a lyrics book to accompany the CD edition. I guess Dolly wants us to singalong-a-Christmas. Which is fine by me. Six of the twelve tracks are duets with her favourite showbiz friends, including god-daughter Miley Cyrus – ‘Christmas Is’ – and Mr Christmas himself, Michael Bublé – ‘Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas’.

Six of the twelve songs are seasonal Dolly originals, including ‘Christmas On The Square’ is a fabulous country song that you could definitely do a side step shuffle to, should the fancy take you. It’s also the theme tune to Dolly’s Netflix Christmas special – which I can also recommend highly for some heart-warming camp. Think Dickens Christmas Carol meets Mamma Mia. Bring your own eggnog.

This year ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ seems to be taking rightful place as the best Christmas song ever, with Dolly duetting the 90s Mariah Carey song with comedian Jimmy Fallon.

‘Comin’ Home For Christmas’ is another delightfully warm original that sounds like a classic. Co-written with her producer Kent Wells who gets a special thanks in the sleeve notes, as does her Mighty Fine Band and Mighty Fine Singers who feature in the recording.

In the sleeve notes, Dolly says: “Thank God for Christmas” but I say thank goodness for Dolly Parton. This gorgeous album is going in my permanent festive collection, I hope you’ll love it enough to add it to yours too. Merry Christmas everyone.

Jodie ‘SheBeat’ Schofield

Artist’s website: www.dollyparton.com

‘Comin’ Home For Christmas’ – live:


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