Dolly Parton

Live and Well (Sugar Hill)

Dolly Parton’s recent tour was heavy on showbiz pomp, but Live and Well is just her and her eightpiece Blueniques pickin’ and singin’ in the cozy Dollywood Celebrity Theater. Ebullient as ever, Parton’s banter is as much fun as the music; cornier than an Iowa silo, she’s full of zingers like “Everyone in the Smoky Mountains is not kin to me!” The music is equally engaging, even bluegrass-novelty covers of “Stairway to Heaven” and Collective Soul’s “Shine.” Bleached blond as they are, Parton’s roots shine as bright as her 100-watt smile.

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This article appears in December 24 • 2004.

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