Album cover. RCA Victor (APL1-2188) (1977)
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Dolly Parton
New Harvest...First Gathering RCA Victor (APL1-2188) February 14, 1977 Side A
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Recording
Recording sessions for the album began on August 19, 1976, at Soundshop Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Four additional sessions followed on August 20, 21, 22, and November 21. The remainder of the album was recorded at Creative Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 3, 10, 16, and 17.
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August 19, 1976
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December 3, 1976
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Content
In addition to her own compositions, Dolly included The Temptations classic "My Girl" (sung as the gender-neutral "My Love"), and the Jackie Wilson hit "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher". "Applejack" features an all-star lineup of country legends singing background vocals, including Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, Chet Atkins, and Minnie Pearl.
Dolly re-recorded "Holdin' on to You" as a duet with Elle King for the Dumplin' soundtrack album.
Dolly re-recorded "Holdin' on to You" as a duet with Elle King for the Dumplin' soundtrack album.
Release and promotion
The album was released February 4, 1977, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" was released as the first single on March 21, 1977. It debuted at number 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 9. It peaked at number 11 on the chart dated June 11, its tenth week on the chart. The single charted for 13 weeks. It also peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, The single peaked at number four in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"You Are" was released as the first single in Europe on March 25, 1977, and did not chart.
"Applejack" was released as the second European single on August 27, 1977, and also failed to chart. It had previously been released as the B-side of "You Are".
"(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" was released as single exclusively in Germany in late 1977 and did not chart.
"You Are" was released as the first single in Europe on March 25, 1977, and did not chart.
"Applejack" was released as the second European single on August 27, 1977, and also failed to chart. It had previously been released as the B-side of "You Are".
"(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" was released as single exclusively in Germany in late 1977 and did not chart.
Critical reception
In the issue dated February 26, 1977, Billboard published a review calling the album "Parton's most progressive and individualistic LP ever." The review notes that the changes "in producer, studio, publisher and mental outlook are bound to have a significant effect on the ultimate product." The review called the changes "dramatic," resulting in "some of the most memorable work yet – in writing and singing – by Parton." The review concluded by saying that "this could be the album that shoves Parton from a country-only base to the category of across-the-board talents like Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt who emulate and admire her."
Cashbox published a review in the February 26, 1977 issue, which said, "Breaking from her country roots, Dolly has put together this package of tailor-mades for the progressive rock listener. Her versatility and natural talents combined with her excellent production as well as arrangement comes crystal clear here."
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 4 out of 5 stars. He felt that "in retrospect, New Harvest...First Gathering sounds like a dry run for Dolly's later crossover career, but it's also full of fine songs and produced with intelligence and restraint, and it has stood the test of time far better than much of her work of the 1980s."
Cashbox published a review in the February 26, 1977 issue, which said, "Breaking from her country roots, Dolly has put together this package of tailor-mades for the progressive rock listener. Her versatility and natural talents combined with her excellent production as well as arrangement comes crystal clear here."
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 4 out of 5 stars. He felt that "in retrospect, New Harvest...First Gathering sounds like a dry run for Dolly's later crossover career, but it's also full of fine songs and produced with intelligence and restraint, and it has stood the test of time far better than much of her work of the 1980s."
Billboard review, February 26, 1977.
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Cashbox review, February 26, 1977.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Hot Country Albums chart dated March 12, 1977. The album peaked at number one on the chart dated May 14, its tenth week on the chart, The album charted for 29 weeks. It also peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200 chart, Dolly's first album to appear on that chart since Joshua in 1971.
Accolades
The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1977 Music City News Awards and Favorite Country Album at the 1978 American Music Awards.
"(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards.
"(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Background vocals on "Applejack":
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Production
- Dolly Parton – producer, arrangements
- Gregg Perry – co-producer
Other personnel
- Dave Gahr – photographer
- Acy Lehman – art director
- Nick Sangiamo – photographer
- Richard Sparks – innerspread art
Reissues
The album was reissued for the first time in 2007 when it was released on CD with the 1976 album All I Can Do. It was released as a digital download the same year.