Album cover. Columbia (CK 40968) (1987)
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Dolly Parton
Rainbow Columbia (CK 40968) November 23, 1987
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Recording
The album was recorded in July 1987 at Record One, Ocean Way Recording Studios, and A&M Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Release and promotion
The album was released November 23, 1987, on CD, LP, and cassette.
Singles
The album's first single, "The River Unbroken", was released simultaneously with the album on November 23, 1987. It debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated December 19. It peaked at number 63 on the chart dated January 9, 1988, its third week on the chart. It charted for eight weeks. The single peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at number 51 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 23 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The single's music video was directed by Brian Grant.
"I Know You by Heart", a duet with Smokey Robinson, as released as the second single on February 8, 1988. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single's music video premiered February 13, 1988 on Episode 17 of Dolly's 1987-1988 variety series.
The third single, "Make Love Work", was released on July 25, 1988, and failed to chart.
"I Know You by Heart", a duet with Smokey Robinson, as released as the second single on February 8, 1988. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single's music video premiered February 13, 1988 on Episode 17 of Dolly's 1987-1988 variety series.
The third single, "Make Love Work", was released on July 25, 1988, and failed to chart.
Critical reception
Billboard published a review which said, "Parton - with a new label and TV show backing her - abandons country for Sheena Easton-style pop." They noted that the album was "being worked hard from both coasts." The review noted "Red Hot Screaming Love" as "a wonderful slow builder" and the remake of Smokey Robinson's "Two Lovers" as the "best" track on the album, but said that his duet with Dolly on "I Know You by Heart" is "worth a spin, too." The review ends by saying that "The River Unbroken" "shows traces of Parton's roots."
Cashbox published a review which describe the album as "a slickly produced package of well-crafted pop numbers." The review noted "I Know You by Heart", "More Than I Can Say", and "The River Unbroken" as the best tracks on the album.
Barry Weber of AllMusic rated the album 2 out of 5 stars. He felt that the album "captures Dolly Parton in the midst of uninspired mediocrity." He descried the music as "standard mid-'80s Dolly Parton in the sense that it's chock-full of manufactured contemporary pop that, even with a few clever lyrics and catchy hooks, ultimately goes nowhere." He concluded by saying that the album "ends up being another forgettable misstep in her career."
Cashbox published a review which describe the album as "a slickly produced package of well-crafted pop numbers." The review noted "I Know You by Heart", "More Than I Can Say", and "The River Unbroken" as the best tracks on the album.
Barry Weber of AllMusic rated the album 2 out of 5 stars. He felt that the album "captures Dolly Parton in the midst of uninspired mediocrity." He descried the music as "standard mid-'80s Dolly Parton in the sense that it's chock-full of manufactured contemporary pop that, even with a few clever lyrics and catchy hooks, ultimately goes nowhere." He concluded by saying that the album "ends up being another forgettable misstep in her career."
Billboard review, December 12, 1987.
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Cashbox review, December 19, 1987.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated December 19, 1987. It peaked at number 18 on the chart dated February 13, 1988, its ninth week on the chart. The album charted for 24 weeks. It also peaked at number 153 on the Billboard 200. The album peaked at number 83 on both the RPM Top Albums chart in Canada and on the Kent Music Report in Australia.
The album charted at number 62 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1988.
The album charted at number 62 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1988.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
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Other personnel
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