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Audio CD: Release Date 2002-07-09
Publisher: Sugarhill
Artist: Dolly Parton
Sales Rank in Music: #39972
Product Review
Track Listings: 1. Halos and Horns 2. Sugar Hill 3. Not For Me 4. Hello God 5. If 6. Shattered Image 7. These Old Bones 8. What A Heartache 9. I'm Gone 10. Raven Dove 11. Dagger Through The Heart 12. If Only 13. John Daniel 14. Stairway to Heaven
Amazon.com
Like many musicians profoundly moved by the events of September 11, Dolly Parton reacted to the tragedy by going inward and forging a spiritual journey through songwriting. As usual, the subjects from which she draws the greatest strength are the ones that have buoyed her throughout her career--the Deity, to whom she talks directly in the searching "Hello, God," and the mythology of the mountains, best exemplified in "These Old Bones," a fascinating piece of backwoods lore, even as Parton's impersonation of an ancient fortune teller turns grating. Yet the songs on Halos & Horns carry a subtext, too, that of the perpetual struggle between right and wrong, temptation and redemption, and heaven and hell. Longtime Parton fans will recognize that thematic tug from her earliest work, just as they will hear a return to her more primitive, pre-'80s sound. While the singer, who produced the record herself using both Nashville and East Tennessee musicians, reprises several tunes ("Shattered Image," "What a Heartache") from her catalog to give them an acoustic, bluegrassy treatment, she is not without her surprises. Chief among them: "Raven Dove," a powerful, almost biblical prophesy of a Second Coming, and a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," which Parton slightly rewrote to give it more personal and apocalyptic verve. If the thought of that brings a smile to your face, just wait: one spin through it, and you'll be down on your knees. --Alanna Nash
Title Tracks for Halos & Horns
1. Halos And Horns
2. Sugar Hill
3. Not For Me
4. Hello God
5. If
6. Shattered Image
7. These Old Bones
8. What A Heartache
9. I'm Gone
10. Raven Dove
11. Dagger Through The Heart
12. If Only
13. John Daniel
14. Stairway To Heaven
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(90 customer reviews)
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Dolly's done it again, August 14, 2002
"gemini_j" (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Halos & Horns (Audio CD)
Dolly Parton has had a slew of creative success behind her past few albums, so its no surprise once again she's turned in a commanding performance on HALOS AND HORNS her newest offering. The album opens with the title track, which has excellent harmony vocals. The album has interesting concepts, for one she covers two well known songs: Bread's "If" and Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven". As well two of her own past hits get retreatment, "What a Heartache" and "Shattered Image". The remaining 10 songs are all brand new, and some of her most inspired. "Hello God" recalls 9/11 and offers peace, "These Old Bones" has Dolly role playing, "I'm Gone" is a fun quirky leave-your-man kind of song. The album's first single and video is "Dagger Through the Heart", and Dolly does heartbreak well. Overall HALOS AND HORNS is another winner, so be sure to add it to your collection.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Dolly at her best, July 14, 2002
James (Lavergne, TN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Halos & Horns (Audio CD)
I must say this album blew me away. I listened to the first track "Halos and Horns" and had to play it again. I did that on every song, and thought I'm never going to get to the end of this album cause it's all so good. I think I played "Hello God" three times. When I finally finished the cd I was amazed at it's depth. It made me laugh on "These Old Bones" and "I'm Gone". I nearly cried on "Hello God" and "Not for Me". I got chills on "Raven Dove" and "Stairway to Heaven," which is a standout as "Shine" was on the awesome Little Sparrow released last year. If this project doesn't award her another grammy I will be shocked. Halos and Horns incorporates the splendor of Hungry Again, Heartsongs, The Grass is Blue and Little Sparrow all into one disc. Dolly's vocals are breathtaking as she soars over the bluegrass, gospel and traditional country numbers with ease. "Dagger Through the...Read more
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Excellent album, October 12, 2002
The Pete (Illinois) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Halos & Horns (Audio CD)
"Haloes and Horns" continues where "Little Sparrow" left off. However, to Parton's credit, she doesn't retread the last CD. There's a bit more production going on here, and the tone is less spare than "Little Sparrow". Also, she successfully experiments with gospel flavors on several tracks, notably "Dear God", which sounds like it might have been written in response to 9/11. As for the cover of "Stairway to Heaven", when I heard she'd done one I thought she must've flipped her lid. Didn't she learn anything from Madonna doing "American Pie"? Boy, was I wrong! Besides really claiming the song for bluegrass, she alters the lyrics a bit - as if just covering this classic weren't tempting fate enough - and 'makes you wonder' why you ever doubted her ability to make the song her own.What she holds over from the last CD is her ability to cover the total emotional spectrum, from the depths of sorrow ("Not For...Read more
(90 customer reviews) 
Dolly's done it again, August 14, 2002 
Excellent album, October 12, 2002 