Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4188) (1969)
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Dolly Parton
My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy RCA Victor (LSP-4188) September 8, 1969 Side 1
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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 1969's In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).
Dolly re-recorded the title song for her 1982 album Heartbreak Express.
Dolly re-recorded the title song for her 1982 album Heartbreak Express.
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September 9, 1968
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May 21, 1969
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Content
The title song tells the story of a small town girl whose aspirations take her to New Orleans, where she becomes a prostitute, dreaming of the boy she'd left behind. "Gypsy, Joe and Me" details the story of a woman, her love and their small dog, who all eventually perish. "Evening Shade" tells the story of an orphanage run by an evil headmistress, Mrs. Bailey. The orphans eventually burn the home down, with Mrs. Bailey sleeping inside. "Daddy", a Parton composition, tells the story of a daughter pleading with her father to reconsider leaving her mother for a much younger woman. Also included are Parton's covers of the Mac Davis-penned Elvis Presley hit "In the Ghetto" and Joe South's "Games People Play". She also covered current country hits 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.
In a CMT interview with Patty Loveless, Dolly confirmed that the man on the album cover is her reclusive husband, Carl Dean.
Release and promotion
The album was released September 8, 1969, on LP and 8-track.
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 ten weeks on the 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 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. The single also 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 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. The single also 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 6 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
Adapted from the album liner notes and RCA recording session records.
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Reissues
The album was released as a digital download on October 22, 2013.