Album cover. RCA Victor (APL1-1665) (1976)
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Dolly Parton
All I Can Do RCA Victor (APL1-1665) August 16, 1976 Side A
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Recording
Recording sessions for the album took place on February 17, 18, and 19, 1976, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. "Hey, Lucky Lady" was recorded during a December 9, 1974 session for the 1975 album The Bargain Store.
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December 9, 1974
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February 19, 1976
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Content
In addition to eight Parton compositions, the album includes two covers: Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham" and Merle Haggard's "Life's Like Poetry". The album was released around the time Dolly began appearing regularly in the tabloids, and "Shattered Image", which advised to "stay out of my closet if your own's full of trash," was written as a reaction to that.
"The Fire That Keeps You Warm" was previously recorded by Dolly and Porter Wagoner on their 1974 album Porter 'n' Dolly.
Dolly re-recorded "Shattered Image" for her 2002 album Halos & Horns.
"Falling Out of Love with Me" was covered by country-rock band Pinmonkey in 2002 with Dolly providing harmony vocals.
"The Fire That Keeps You Warm" was previously recorded by Dolly and Porter Wagoner on their 1974 album Porter 'n' Dolly.
Dolly re-recorded "Shattered Image" for her 2002 album Halos & Horns.
"Falling Out of Love with Me" was covered by country-rock band Pinmonkey in 2002 with Dolly providing harmony vocals.
Release and promotion
The album was released August 16, 1976, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
"Hey, Lucky Lady" was released as the album's first single on February 2, 1976. It debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated February 28. It peaked at number 19 on the chart dated April 10, its seventh week on the chart. The single charted for 11 weeks. It peaked at number 11 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single, "All I Can Do", was released on July 5, 1976. It debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 31. It peaked at number three on the chart dated October 9, its eleventh week on the chart. The single charted for 15 weeks. It peaked art number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"Shattered Image" was released as a single in the UK on November 19, 1976, and did not chart.
The second single, "All I Can Do", was released on July 5, 1976. It debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 31. It peaked at number three on the chart dated October 9, its eleventh week on the chart. The single charted for 15 weeks. It peaked art number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"Shattered Image" was released as a single in the UK on November 19, 1976, and did not chart.
Critical reception
In a review published in the August 28, 1976 issue, Billboard said, "Exceptional LP by the enigmatic lady who has reached the pinnacle of country music success and is now making her impact, deservingly, on the pop music market. Few artists write better songs than Parton, and no one can sing them better. A powerful performer, Parton provides an album for country and pop chart consideration. Her version of Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham" is a striking, heartfelt song, sung without pretension and with a surplus of feeling. Effective blend of slow ballads and uptempo numbers, contains a pair of her hit singles and a couple more that should make good singles. Incisve liner notes by Don Cusic add depth to an already noteworthy LP."
Cashbox published a review in the August 28, 1976 issue which said, "Making a positive move into the progressive sound, Dolly makes her current single the theme of the total offering. Other self-penned selections are "The Fire That Keeps You Warm", "When the Sun Goes Down Tomorrow", "I'm a Drifter," "Falling Out of Love with Me", "Shattered Image", "Preacher Tom" and "Hey, Lucky Lady". Also included are "Life’s Like Poetry" (Merle Haggard) and "Boulder to Birmingham" (Emmylou Harris/Bill Danoff). A Dolly Parton/Porter Wagoner production."
Mark Denning of AllMusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars. He said that the album serves as a "reminder that her commitment to country music was always real, and that she was a first-class talent before she became a multimedia star."
Cashbox published a review in the August 28, 1976 issue which said, "Making a positive move into the progressive sound, Dolly makes her current single the theme of the total offering. Other self-penned selections are "The Fire That Keeps You Warm", "When the Sun Goes Down Tomorrow", "I'm a Drifter," "Falling Out of Love with Me", "Shattered Image", "Preacher Tom" and "Hey, Lucky Lady". Also included are "Life’s Like Poetry" (Merle Haggard) and "Boulder to Birmingham" (Emmylou Harris/Bill Danoff). A Dolly Parton/Porter Wagoner production."
Mark Denning of AllMusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars. He said that the album serves as a "reminder that her commitment to country music was always real, and that she was a first-class talent before she became a multimedia star."
Billboard review, August 28, 1976.
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Cashbox review, August 28, 1976.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated September 11, 1976. It peaked at number three on the chart dated November 20, its eleventh week on the chart. The album charted for 25 weeks.
Accolades
The album was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes and the 2009 box set Dolly.
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Reissues
The album was reissued for the first time in 2007 when it was released on CD with the 1977 album New Harvest...First Gathering. It was released as a digital download the same year.