Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4507) (1971)
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Dolly Parton
Joshua RCA Victor (LSP-4507) April 12, 1971 Side 1
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Recording
Recording sessions for the album began at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 20, 1970. Three additional sessions followed on October 21, 1970, January 26, and February 11, 1971. "Walls of My Mind", "You Can't Reach Me Anymore", and "The Fire's Still Burning" were recorded during the October 31, 1969 session for 1970's The Fairest of Them All.
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October 31, 1969
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January 26, 1971
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Release and promotion
The album was released April 12, 1971, on LP and 8-track.
Singles
The album's single, "Joshua", was released on November 9, 1970, and debuted at number 57 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated December 12, 1970. It would become Dolly's first song to top the chart when it peaked at number one on the chart dated February 6, 1971, its ninth week on the chart. The single charted 15 weeks. It also peaked at number 108 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The single peaked at number two in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
The review published in the April 24, 1971 issue of Billboard said, "Dolly Parton took "Joshua" right to the top of the country singles chart, and she should now take him right to the top of the LP chart as well, with this exceptional album followup. Most of the tunes are originals, and there are many standouts, among them "You Can't Reach Me Anymore", "The Last One to Touch Me", and "Chicken Every Sunday"."
The April 10, 1971 issue of Cashbox featured a review that said, "Dolly Parton's "Joshua" has to be one of the all-time best country records ever recorded. Now the title tune of her latest album, it enables those who missed it the first time around to hear it along with nine other fine selections. Always a best seller, this LP containing "The Last One to Touch Me", "Walls of My Mind", "Chicken Every Sunday", "Letter to Heaven", and "J.J. Sneed", which are outstanding tracks, is sure to top the charts shortly.
AllMusic gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The April 10, 1971 issue of Cashbox featured a review that said, "Dolly Parton's "Joshua" has to be one of the all-time best country records ever recorded. Now the title tune of her latest album, it enables those who missed it the first time around to hear it along with nine other fine selections. Always a best seller, this LP containing "The Last One to Touch Me", "Walls of My Mind", "Chicken Every Sunday", "Letter to Heaven", and "J.J. Sneed", which are outstanding tracks, is sure to top the charts shortly.
AllMusic gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Billboard review, April 24, 1971.
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Cashbox review, April 10, 1971.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated May 1, 1971. It peaked at number 16 on the chart dated May 22, its fourth week on the chart. The album charted for 12 weeks. It also peaked at number 198 on the Billboard 200 chart and at number 24 in Canada on the RPM Country Albums chart.
Accolades
The album's single, "Joshua", was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, at the 14th 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 on CD in 2001 with Dolly's 1971 album Coat of Many Colors. It was released as a digital download on December 4, 2015.