Released: October 14
Dolly Parton offers a bumper run of holiday originals and festive classics on the expanded deluxe edition of her latest seasonal set.
Originally released in 2020, ‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’ is an invitation to the holidays, Dolly style, opening with one of her personal favourites, Holly Jolly Christmas, and boasting an eclectic selection that encompasses all aspects of the period.
Christmas on the Square captures the hustle and bustle of the season as communities come together, while the gentle Circle of Love highlights the meaning behind the holidays.
Guest stars make appearances throughout, including Dolly’s Goddaughter Miley Cyrus, who helps spread a message of ‘kindness, love, and compassion’ on Christmas Is, while Canadian crooner Michael Bublé trades verses on the sensual Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas.
Meanwhile, Willie Nelson joins her on his own Pretty Paper, as they sing of those who get forgotten this time of year, and her late brother Randy also makes an appearance.
For the reissue, Dolly adds an impressive eight tracks to the LP, including her collaboration with Rod Stewart on Baby, It’s Cold Outside, along with cuts from her ‘A Smoky Mountain Christmas’ (1986) TV movie, such as (I’d Like to Spend) Christmas with Santa, Wrapped Up in You, and the title song.
Recorded more than 35 years prior to the rest of the album, the change in the country icon’s voice is notable, and while they’d perhaps be better suited to a reissue of her 1990 LP ‘Home for Christmas’, it’s a joy to hear the classic recordings once again.
With three holiday albums under her belt, ‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’ sits in good company, and while the album has its blips – no, Jimmy Fallon’s duet on All I Want For Christmas Is You hasn’t gotten better over time – it’s a joy of a record and a gift from the superstar during a challenging period, with her closing rendition of Silent Night all the more poignant.
Of the original release, she said: “I figured since everybody probably wouldn’t get to celebrate Christmas as usual this year, I wanted to be creative instead of sitting around at the house this summer.
“So I put on my mask, gloves and practiced social distancing, as well as all of the wonderful musicians and singers, and we proceeded to put together what I think is some of the best work that I’ve ever done.”
And for that, Dolly, we love you even more!
‘A Holly Dolly Christmas’ is available now.
