Album cover. Columbia (CK 53414) (1993)
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Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn
Honky Tonk Angels Columbia (CK 53414) November 2, 1993
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Background
The album had been a long-rumored project between the country singers for over a decade. It was mostly Dolly's idea to bring together the women who made their musical breakthroughs in the 1960s. These were also the women who changed the texture of the music by weaving strands of modern life into the traditional country patterns they grew up with and helped enlarge the audience for country music. Once Dolly talked the others into doing the project – an easy argument, by all accounts – she asked Steve Buckingham to co-produce the record with her.
Recording
The album was recorded at three studios in Nashville, Tennessee; Nightingale Studio, Masterfonics, and The Doghouse.
Content
The album features many country standards, including "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" (which features a guest appearance by the song's originator and original country queen, Kitty Wells), "Wings of a Dove" (a 1960 hit for Ferlin Husky), "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" (a 1953 hit for the Davis Sisters), "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" (a 1966 Bill Phillips hit that was Dolly's first success as a songwriter), "Lovesick Blues" (a pop standard known for Hank Williams' 1949 rendition; here the trio sings along with a vintage recording of the song by Patsy Cline), and "I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven", Tex Ritter's 1962 classic that features new spoken dialogue written by Dolly.
The original compositions by Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are solo performances by each of them with harmony vocals by Dolly and "Sittin' on the Front Porch Swing" is a Dolly solo. The album features liner notes written by Ralph Emery.
The original compositions by Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are solo performances by each of them with harmony vocals by Dolly and "Sittin' on the Front Porch Swing" is a Dolly solo. The album features liner notes written by Ralph Emery.
Release and promotion
The album was released November 2, 1993, on CD and cassette.
Singles
The album's single, "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", was released on November 8, 1993. It debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated December 25, 1993. It peaked at number 68 on the chart dated January 15, 1994. These were the only two weeks the single charted.
Critical reception
The review published in the November 27, 1993 issue of Billboard said that the album is "a spirited collaboration that brings together three country music cornerstones and throws in a pinch of Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells for good measure." The review went on to say, "There are a few musically inspired moments here, notably Parton's "Sittin' on the Front Porch Swing" and Wynette's "That's the Way It Could Have Been". But, for the most part, this is more of a nostalgic look back than a celebration of present–day glories."
Kelly McCartney of AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying that "for fans of traditional country or great singers, this is a fun listen because it nicely captures three of the best voices around."
Kelly McCartney of AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying that "for fans of traditional country or great singers, this is a fun listen because it nicely captures three of the best voices around."
Billboard review, November 27, 1993.
Commercial performance
The album debuted and peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated November 20, 1993 and charted for a total of 24 weeks. It also debuted and peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart dated November 20 and spent 16 weeks on the chart. In Canada, the album peaked ay number six on the RPM Country Albums chart and number 44 on the RPM Top Albums chart. The album peaked at number 177 in Australia.
Accolades
The album and its single were nominated for several awards. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1994 TNN Music City News Country Awards and "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" was nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year. "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" also received a nomination at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals and Vocal Event of the Year at the 28th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 4, 1993.
The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 4, 1993.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
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- Note: "Lovesick Blues" was recorded by Patsy Cline on January 27, 1960 and produced by Owen Bradley. The musicians for this session are noted above.