Burlap & Satin is the twenty-fifth solo studio album by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released on May 2, 1983, by RCA Records. The album straddled the line between pop and country sounds. Consisting mostly of Parton's own compositions, two tracks were outtakes from the film Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: "A Cowboy's Ways" (a song intended for co-star Burt Reynolds to perform in the film that was ultimately cut from it) and "A Gamble Either Way". The album's single, "Potential New Boyfriend" was a top 20 country single and was accompanied by Parton's first ever music video. Willie Nelson duetted on a cover of the Eddy Arnold hit "I Really Don't Want to Know". The track "Ooo-eee" was recorded by Nicolette Larson on her 1980 album "Radioland" and features backing vocals from Linda Ronstadt.
As part of Parton's 2007 European tour, the album was re-released for the first time on CD by BMG Germany (a division of Sony/BMG) in a two-fer CD. It was paired with 1985's Real Love.
Critical reception
Billboard gave a positive review of the album, calling it "Parton's most satisfying album in a long time." The review said the album was "well-titled...because [Parton] glides silkily between pop (which she handles like a trouper) and the kind of country on which her superstar career was formulated." They praised the inclusion of six Parton originals because "no one sings Parton better than Parton." The review also praised Perry's arrangements, calling them "beautiful and classy, contemporary but soulful, exactly right for Parton's shivering vibrato." The review concluded by saying that the album "will rank among Dolly's best yet."
Cashbox also gave a positive review, praising Parton's ability of "moving freely between folksy country, gospel, and danceable pop." The review said that the six Parton-penned songs are "clearly the strongest pieces in the collection, while the other four cuts provide the most interesting production elements." The review also interpreted the album title, artwork, and material selection as Parton "attempting to lump both her small-town country girl sensibilities and bigger-than-life celebrity status together...denoting her ability to reach a wide and varied audience."
Track listing
Personnel Musicians Dolly Parton – vocals Eddy Anderson, Rick Marotta – drums Eddy Anderson – percussion Anita Ball, Dolly Parton, Ernie Winfrey, Judy Ogle, Judy Rodman – handclaps Leland Sklar, Michael Rhodes, Tommy Cogbill – bass Gregg Perry, Mitch Humphries, Robbie Buchanan, Ron Oates, Dolly Parton – keyboards Ron Oates – synthesizers Hugh McCracken, Marty Walsh, Michael Severs, Pete Bordonali, Tom Rutledge – guitar Joe McGuffee – steel guitar Denis Solee – saxophone, flute Dewayne Pigg – French horn Nashville String Machine – strings Anita Ball, Donna McElroy, Judy Rodman, Karen Taylor-Good, Lea Jane Berinati, Lisa Silver, Michael Black, Ray Walker, Richard Dennison – backing vocals
Production Arranged and produced by Dolly Parton and Gregg Perry Recorded and engineered by Ernie Winfrey and Phil Jamtaas Assistant engineers: Fran Overall, Jim Scott Mixed by Ernie Winfrey
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1983) PeakpositionUS Cashbox Country Albums2US Cash Box Top Albums 146
Year-end charts Chart (1983) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard)43
References
External links Burlap & Satin at Dolly Parton On-Line Burlap & Satin at Discogs