Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4188) (1969)
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My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy is the fourth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on September 8, 1969, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 194 on the Billboard 200, Dolly's first entry on the all-genre chart. The album's three singles, "Daddy", "In the Ghetto", and the title track, peaked at numbers 40, 50, and 45, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album's cover features Dolly's husband, Carl Dean, as the Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.
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Track listing
Side 1
- In the Ghetto (Mac Davis) 2:46
- Games People Play (Joe South) 2:21
- 'Til Death Do Us Part (Dolly Parton) 3:03
- Big Wind (Wayne P. Walker, Alex Zanetis, George McCormick) 2:13
- Evening Shade (Dolly Parton) 3:13
- I'm Fed Up with You (Bill Owens) 1:55
- My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (Dolly Parton) 3:27
- Daddy (Dolly Parton) 2:44
- We Had All the Good Things Going (Jerry Monday, Merv Shiner) 2:40
- The Monkey's Tale (Leona Reese) 1:45
- Gypsy, Joe and Me (Dolly Parton) 3:07
- Home for Pete's Sake (Rudy Preston) 2:02
Recording
Recording sessions for the album began at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 14, 1969. Three additional sessions followed on May 20, May 21, and June 2. "Daddy" was recorded on September 9, 1968, during a session for her 1969 album, In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).
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September 9, 1968
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May 21, 1969
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Content
The title track narrates the journey of a young woman from a small town whose dreams lead her to New Orleans, where she ultimately becomes a sex worker, all the while longing for the boy she left behind. "Gypsy, Joe and Me" recounts the tale of a woman, her beloved, and their small dog, all of whom meet a tragic end. "Evening Shade" depicts an orphanage overseen by the malevolent headmistress, Mrs. Bailey, where the orphans eventually set the building ablaze with Mrs. Bailey inside. "Daddy," a composition by Parton, portrays a daughter imploring her father to reconsider his decision to leave her mother for a significantly younger woman. Additionally, the collection features Dolly's renditions of the Mac Davis-written Elvis Presley classic "In the Ghetto" and Joe South's "Games People Play." She also offers her interpretations of contemporary country songs by Porter Wagoner ("Big Wind") and Jan Howard ("We Had All the Good Things Going").
In a CMT interview with Patty Loveless, Dolly confirmed that the man on the album cover is her reclusive husband, Carl Dean.
Dolly re-recorded the title song for her 1982 album, Heartbreak Express.
In a CMT interview with Patty Loveless, Dolly confirmed that the man on the album cover is her reclusive husband, Carl Dean.
Dolly re-recorded the title song for her 1982 album, Heartbreak Express.
Release and promotion
The album was released September 8, 1969, on LP, 8-track, and cassette.
Singles
The first single from the album, "Daddy", was released on March 10, 1969, and debuted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 12. It peaked at number 40 on the chart dated May 31, its eighth week on the chart. The single spent 10 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number 36 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
The second single from the album, "In the Ghetto", was released on June 23, 1969, and debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 26. It peaked at number 50 on the chart dated September 6, its seventh chart week. The single charted for eight weeks. It also peaked at number 37 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 12 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy" was released as the third single on September 8, 1969, and debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated October 18. The single peaked at number 45 on the chart dated November 15, its fifth week on the chart. It spent eight weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number 27 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 22 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single from the album, "In the Ghetto", was released on June 23, 1969, and debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 26. It peaked at number 50 on the chart dated September 6, its seventh chart week. The single charted for eight weeks. It also peaked at number 37 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 12 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy" was released as the third single on September 8, 1969, and debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated October 18. The single peaked at number 45 on the chart dated November 15, its fifth week on the chart. It spent eight weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number 27 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 22 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
The review in the September 20, 1969 issue of Billboard said, "Undoubtedly, this is the best composite album that Miss Dolly Parton has created. Her country version of "In the Ghetto" is now on the country singles chart and should provide plenty of LP sales impetus. While her "Daddy", "Gypsy, Joe and Me", and "Home for Pete's Sake" are tearjerkers in the traditional vein. "Games People Play" is also a strong contender for honors."
Cashbox also published a review of the album, saying, "Dolly Parton effectively changes moods and tempos as she sings her way through this set containing her latest singles in addition to other noteworthy offerings. The set includes, besides title track, "In the Ghetto", "Games People Play", "Big Wind", "Daddy", and "We Had All the Good Things Going." Rapid chart action can be expected on this one."
AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars.
Cashbox also published a review of the album, saying, "Dolly Parton effectively changes moods and tempos as she sings her way through this set containing her latest singles in addition to other noteworthy offerings. The set includes, besides title track, "In the Ghetto", "Games People Play", "Big Wind", "Daddy", and "We Had All the Good Things Going." Rapid chart action can be expected on this one."
AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars.
Billboard review, September 20, 1969.
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Cashbox review, September 13, 1969.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated October 11, 1969. It peaked at number six on the chart dated December 27, its twelfth week on the chart. It charted for 28 weeks. It also peaked at number 194 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album charted at number 48 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1969.
The album charted at number 48 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1969.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2009 box set, Dolly ("Evening Shade", "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy", "Daddy", and "Gypsy, Joe and Me"), and may not represent the personnel for all tracks.
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