Dolly Parton, a beloved figure head of country pop music, has just released her newest Christmas album entitled “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” released on Oct. 2. With a mix of holiday songs such as the classic “All I Want For Christmas is You,” and lesser known songs like “Christmas Is” or “Circle of Love,” the album is a new take on Christmas music with southern charm.
The album includes featured artists such as Miley Cyrus, Michael Bublé, Jimmy Fallon, Billy Ray Cyrus, Willie Nelson and Randy Parton. While Bublé’s voice is known for its tone that fits Christmas songs, Fallon’s appearance on the featured list brings a twist on his song with Parton “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
The first part of the album focuses on mixing modern influences with Dolly Parton’s recognizably southern voice. The songs that feel dated, such as “Christmas on the Square,” acknowledges their less modern elements but plays to the individual song’s strengths.
The first half of the album ends with a take on “All I Want for Christmas is You,” featuring Jimmy Fallon. Although the talk show host is undeniably an odd choice to be on a song with mega superstar Dolly Parton, Fallon holds his own on the song. The track for the song, being the Dolly version, is complete with strings and a bango line. These elements blend into the original track, causing the listener to listen hard for these elements.
Most, if not all, of the songs do similar sequencing to the instrumentation of the album for Dolly Parton, who is known for country hits such as “9 to 5” or “Jolene.” The production value, however, is high quality. Dolly’s voice crescendos over the instruments with backing vocals in each song. The elements of country music, such as the style of guitar or banjo parts, are weaved within the album and meshed with the classic holiday sound.
The second half of the album continues with more Christmas songs with country influences. The song “Pretty Paper” featuring Willie Nelson is the song that sticks out the most in the second half.
Dolly Parton’s smooth vocals croon lyrics on an instrumental of soft guitar, piano and strings. Joined by Willie Nelson’s deeper, classically country voice, this song creates a vibe of sitting by a roaring fire while snow comes down outside.
Many songs on the album work in the same way, including the first track on the album, “Holly Jolly Christmas.” The first song works to give the feeling of one of the busiest times of the season — wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. The album also includes a version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Dolly Parton’s version of this song is layered with childhood innocence to allude that a little girl was singing.
The album ends with a rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” The track has limited instrumentation in the very beginning, highlighting Dolly Parton’s strong vocals. The album ends after the final crescendo in Dolly Parton’s vocals. Dolly displays her vocal range that she is well known for. The climactic end to this album balances its first and second halves.
All in all, Dolly Parton’s “A Holly Dolly Christmas” is one of the most vocally and instrumentally strong Christmas albums of this year.
