Album cover. Dolly / RCA Nashville (88985-35123-2) (2016)
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Dolly Parton
Pure & Simple Dolly / RCA (88985-35123-2) August 19, 2016
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Walmart, UK, and international edition bonus tracks
11. Mama (Dolly Parton) 3:43 12. Lovin' You (Dolly Parton) 3:26 |
Cracker Barrel edition bonus tracks
11. Jolene (Live from Glastonbury) (Dolly Parton) 2:52 12. 9 to 5 (Live from Glastonbury) (Dolly Parton) 3:59 |
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The Hits (Walmart and international edition bonus disc)
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Live from Glastonbury 2014 (UK edition bonus disc)
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Background
The genesis for the project was a pair of intimate concerts Dolly performed at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium in August 2015, featuring a quartet of backing band, entitled Dolly Parton: Pure & Simple. The concerts were repeated the following weekend with four performances at Dollywood. The shows were well received and from that emerged the idea to produce a similarly-stripped down album and tour.
At a press conference held in Toronto, Canada on June 13, 2016, Dolly covered a wide range of topics to promote the Canadian leg of her Pure & Simple Tour. Among the tidbits were that the album would be distributed worldwide by Sony Music for Dolly Records, its release date had been moved from August 26 to August 19, the title track would be a single and that "Outside Your Door" might be the second single. The album was ultimately distributed through Sony under their RCA Nashville label, effectively reuniting Dolly (who had been with RCA from 1967 to 1986) with her longtime record label.
At a press conference held in Toronto, Canada on June 13, 2016, Dolly covered a wide range of topics to promote the Canadian leg of her Pure & Simple Tour. Among the tidbits were that the album would be distributed worldwide by Sony Music for Dolly Records, its release date had been moved from August 26 to August 19, the title track would be a single and that "Outside Your Door" might be the second single. The album was ultimately distributed through Sony under their RCA Nashville label, effectively reuniting Dolly (who had been with RCA from 1967 to 1986) with her longtime record label.
Content
Four songs from the album had been previously recorded by Dolly. "Tomorrow Is Forever" was originally recorded as a duet with Porter Wagoner for their 1970 album Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca. "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" was also originally recorded as a duet with Porter Wagoner for their 1975 album of the same name. "Can't Be That Wrong", with a few lyrical differences, was previously recorded as "God Won't Get You", and released on the soundtrack to Dolly's 1984 film Rhinestone. The bonus track "Mama" was featured in Dollywood's My People production from 2013 to 2017.
Release and promotion
On July 7, 2016, Dolly revealed the album's artwork and track listing in an article by the Huffington Post. It was also announced that the album would be available for pre-order beginning July 8.
USA Today published an interview with Dolly about the album on August 16, and it featured a first-listen to the album track "Can't Be That Wrong".
The album was released August 19 on CD and digital download. A variety of CD versions were released. The standard version featured the 10-track album. The deluxe version of the album sold at Walmart stores contained two bonus tracks and a bonus CD featuring ten of Parton's biggest hits. The European version of the album contained two bonus tracks and a bonus CD of Dolly's 2014 Glastonbury set. A deluxe version of the album was released August 26 exclusively at Cracker Barrel restaurants. This version of the album comes with a 30-page booklet, two bonus tracks from Dolly's Glastonbury set, a magnet, and a coupon booklet.
USA Today published an interview with Dolly about the album on August 16, and it featured a first-listen to the album track "Can't Be That Wrong".
The album was released August 19 on CD and digital download. A variety of CD versions were released. The standard version featured the 10-track album. The deluxe version of the album sold at Walmart stores contained two bonus tracks and a bonus CD featuring ten of Parton's biggest hits. The European version of the album contained two bonus tracks and a bonus CD of Dolly's 2014 Glastonbury set. A deluxe version of the album was released August 26 exclusively at Cracker Barrel restaurants. This version of the album comes with a 30-page booklet, two bonus tracks from Dolly's Glastonbury set, a magnet, and a coupon booklet.
Singles
The bonus track "Mama" was released as a free download for Mother's Day via Dolly's official website on May 4, 2016.
On July 6, Dolly announced via Twitter that her new single, "Pure and Simple", would receive its radio debut on BBC Radio 2 during the Ken Bruce Show on July 7. Its lyric video was debuted the same day by the Huffington Post. The single was released to all digital music platforms on July 8.
The album's second single, "Outside Your Door", was released July 29, along with its lyric video.
On September 15, Cosmopolitan published an article announcing "Head Over High Heels" as the album's third single and premiered the lyric video.
On July 6, Dolly announced via Twitter that her new single, "Pure and Simple", would receive its radio debut on BBC Radio 2 during the Ken Bruce Show on July 7. Its lyric video was debuted the same day by the Huffington Post. The single was released to all digital music platforms on July 8.
The album's second single, "Outside Your Door", was released July 29, along with its lyric video.
On September 15, Cosmopolitan published an article announcing "Head Over High Heels" as the album's third single and premiered the lyric video.
Television appearances
To promote the album and tour, as well as Dollywood, Dolly appeared on Hallmark Channel's Home & Family each day during the week of May 30–June 3, 2016. Throughout the week Dolly performed seven songs: three new songs from the album ("Pure and Simple", "Mama", and "Say Forever You'll Be Mine"), one song from the movie Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors ("Angel Hill" with Alyvia Alyn Lind), and three classics ("Coat of Many Colors", "Applejack", and "My Tennessee Mountain Home").
Dolly appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 23 to promote the album and performed the title track, "Pure and Simple". The following morning she made an appearance on Today where she performed "9 to 5", "Pure and Simple", and "Coat of Many Colors".
On October 3, Dolly made appearances on The Talk where she gave an interview, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she was interviewed and performed "Outside Your Door".
Dolly appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 23 to promote the album and performed the title track, "Pure and Simple". The following morning she made an appearance on Today where she performed "9 to 5", "Pure and Simple", and "Coat of Many Colors".
On October 3, Dolly made appearances on The Talk where she gave an interview, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she was interviewed and performed "Outside Your Door".
Tour
The Pure & Simple Tour was announced March 6, 2016 on Dolly's official website. A press conference was held the following day providing additional details concerning the tour. The trek was Dolly's biggest tour in 25 years. Dolly played 64 dates across the United States and Canada, visiting the most requested markets missed on previous tours. She explained that a tour was not initially planned due to her busy schedule, but following two sold out performances at the Ryman Auditorium in August 2015, and four shows the following weekend at Dollywood, her interest in returning to the stage was sparked.
Critical reception
Pure & Simple received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, they assign a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 67, based on 11 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews." Glenn Gamboa gave the album a B+ rating in his review for New York's Newsday, calling the album "a thick slice of down-home charm from the country legend." He also named "Head Over High Heels" and "Outside Your Door" standout tracks and praised the simple production of the album, "This isn't big-production Dolly. These are songs that focus on her vocals and her storytelling, sweet, kindhearted tales that seem to belong in a simpler time."
The Toronto Sun reviewed the album, giving it 2.5 out of 5 stars, saying, "While it might not be her glossiest offering, Pure & Simple is an average batch of romantic ballads and poppier ditties voiced in her breathy flutter. Nice and sweet – but no big deal." Writing for Exclaim!, Stuart Henderson gave the album a mixed review, calling it a "a middle shelf release in Parton's discography." The Scotsmangave it 2 stars, stating "This is Dolly in either sugary sweet or breathily sensitive mode, accompanied by the trill of mandolin, delicately picked guitar or graceful strings." The Arts Desk gave a positive review of the album, "As artistic passions go, Parton's is a straightforward one, but it's delivered with conviction and an enjoyable sense of melodrama," praising all tracks except "Mama", saying that it "is a gruesome syrup of 1950s gender stereotyping."
In a review for Entertainment Weekly, Madison Vain gave the album an A- and said that "occasionally the album feels like it might be on the verge of wading too far into sappy Hallmark Card territory...but those moments are rare, and the album is saved by Parton's self-assured soprano, which has lost none of its girlish charm." Joe Breen of The Irish Times gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying that "there is entertainment aplenty, both lachrymose and lively, but the songs are mostly safe and predictable musings on enduring love."
Matt Williams of Toronto's Now gave the album 3 out of 5 stars in his review, calling the album a much needed "injection of sunshine" in the midst of all the "darkness and anxiety [that] permeate[s] our pop music landscape." Sean Maunder for Metro Weekly gave the album 4 stars and said that although it "may not rank among her most memorable work, ...it is quintessential Dolly, an album that reminds us why she has such staying power. In an increasingly uncertain world, it's comforting to know that Dolly Parton is a constant."
The Toronto Sun reviewed the album, giving it 2.5 out of 5 stars, saying, "While it might not be her glossiest offering, Pure & Simple is an average batch of romantic ballads and poppier ditties voiced in her breathy flutter. Nice and sweet – but no big deal." Writing for Exclaim!, Stuart Henderson gave the album a mixed review, calling it a "a middle shelf release in Parton's discography." The Scotsmangave it 2 stars, stating "This is Dolly in either sugary sweet or breathily sensitive mode, accompanied by the trill of mandolin, delicately picked guitar or graceful strings." The Arts Desk gave a positive review of the album, "As artistic passions go, Parton's is a straightforward one, but it's delivered with conviction and an enjoyable sense of melodrama," praising all tracks except "Mama", saying that it "is a gruesome syrup of 1950s gender stereotyping."
In a review for Entertainment Weekly, Madison Vain gave the album an A- and said that "occasionally the album feels like it might be on the verge of wading too far into sappy Hallmark Card territory...but those moments are rare, and the album is saved by Parton's self-assured soprano, which has lost none of its girlish charm." Joe Breen of The Irish Times gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying that "there is entertainment aplenty, both lachrymose and lively, but the songs are mostly safe and predictable musings on enduring love."
Matt Williams of Toronto's Now gave the album 3 out of 5 stars in his review, calling the album a much needed "injection of sunshine" in the midst of all the "darkness and anxiety [that] permeate[s] our pop music landscape." Sean Maunder for Metro Weekly gave the album 4 stars and said that although it "may not rank among her most memorable work, ...it is quintessential Dolly, an album that reminds us why she has such staying power. In an increasingly uncertain world, it's comforting to know that Dolly Parton is a constant."
Commercial performance
Pure & Simple debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated September 10, 2016, with first-week sales of 20,200 copies. It remained on the chart for 22 weeks. The album was Dolly's first number one album on the chart in 25 years, since her 1991 album Eagle When She Flies. It was also her best debut on the chart at the time, surpassing her 2014 album Blue Smoke, which had debuted at number two. The album also debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard Folk Albums chart. The album has sold 117,600 copies in the United States as of May 2017.
The album was also successful internationally, debuting at number one on the UK Country Albums chart and number two on the UK Albums chart with sales of 17,000 copies. It also peaked at number two on the Scottish Albums chart. On the Australian Albums chart the album peaked at number 9. In Canada, the album peaked at number 20. It peaked at number 25 in Switzerland and number 33 on the Irish Albums chart. In New Zealand, the album made its chart debut at number 39. The album peaked at number 79 in Germany. The lowest chart position came from Belgium where it peaked at number 132.
The album charted at number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 2016 and number 11 on the Billboard Folk Albums year-end chart.
The album was also successful internationally, debuting at number one on the UK Country Albums chart and number two on the UK Albums chart with sales of 17,000 copies. It also peaked at number two on the Scottish Albums chart. On the Australian Albums chart the album peaked at number 9. In Canada, the album peaked at number 20. It peaked at number 25 in Switzerland and number 33 on the Irish Albums chart. In New Zealand, the album made its chart debut at number 39. The album peaked at number 79 in Germany. The lowest chart position came from Belgium where it peaked at number 132.
The album charted at number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 2016 and number 11 on the Billboard Folk Albums year-end chart.
Accolades
The album was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry on June 22, 2018, for sales of 60,000 copies. It was certified Gold by the National Federation of Phonograph Producers in Russia for sales of 10,000 copies in June 2018.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
Original album
Performance
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Production
- David Davison – string arrangement
- Richard Dennison – co-producer, background vocals arrangements
- Patrick Murphy – mixing engineer, tracking engineer, mixing
- Dolly Parton – producer, arrangements, background vocals arrangements
- Tom Rutledge – co-producer, tracking engineer
- Bobby Shin – tracking engineer
- Nathan Smith – mixing engineer
- Kent Wells – music advisor
Other personnel
- Sarah Chapman – graphic design
- Iisha Lemming – master draper
- Cheryl Riddle – hair
- Rebecca Seaver – creative production manager
- Candy Smathers – makeup
- Fran Strine – photography
- Steve Summers – creative director
- Jacob Timmons – graphic design
Walmart, UK, and international edition bonus tracks
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Live from Glastonbury 2014 (UK edition bonus disc)
- Credits for Live from Glastonbury 2014 can be found here.
Releases
FORMAT / TITLE / LABEL & CATALOG # / REGION / RELEASE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)
- CD / Pure & Simple / Dolly; RCA 88985-35123-2 / US & Canada / 08-19-2016
- 2xCD / Pure & Simple / Dolly; RCA 88985-35124-2 / US / 08-19-2016 (Walmart exclusive)
- 2xCD / Pure & Simple / Dolly; RCA; Masterworks; Sony Music 88985351252 / UK / 08-19-2016
- 2xCD / Pure & Simple / Dolly; RCA; Masterworks 88985351242 / Europe & Australia / 08-19-2016
- Digital download / Pure & Simple / Dolly; Sony Music Entertainment / Various / 08-19-2016
- Streaming / Pure & Simple / Dolly; Sony Music Entertainment / Various / 08-19-2016
- CD / Pure & Simple / Dolly; RCA; Masterworks; Cracker Barrel 88985-36003-2 / US / 08-26-2016 (Cracker Barrel exclusive ZinePak)