Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4628) (1972)
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Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton
The Right Combination • Burning the Midnight Oil RCA Victor (LSP-4628) January 3, 1972 Side 1
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Recording
Recording sessions for the album began on April 7 and 8, 1971, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. Two additional sessions followed on September 28 and 30. "Her and the Car and the Mobile Home" was recorded on December 9, 1970, during a session for 1971's Two of a Kind.
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December 9, 1970
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September 28, 1971
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Release and promotion
The album was released January 3, 1972, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
The album's first single, "The Right Combination", was released on May 24, 1971, and debuted at number 59 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 26, 1971. It peaked at number 14 on the chart dated August 14, its eighth week on the chart. It charted for 12 weeks. The single also peaked at number 106 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and number 26 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single, "Burning the Midnight Oil", was released on October 18, 1971, and debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 13, 1971. It peaked at number 11 on the chart dated January 8, 1971, its ninth week on the chart. It charted for 13 weeks. The single also peaked at number nine in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single, "Burning the Midnight Oil", was released on October 18, 1971, and debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 13, 1971. It peaked at number 11 on the chart dated January 8, 1971, its ninth week on the chart. It charted for 13 weeks. The single also peaked at number nine in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
The review published in the January 15, 1972 issue of Billboard said, "Porter and Dolly have here an LP that will be a big hit for them in the first few months of 1972. Each of the stars has written a few cuts and their performance of their own material is beautiful. Highlights include "The Right Combination", "More Than Words Can Tell", "The Fog Has Lifted", and "Her and the Car and the Mobile Home" (a comedy spotlight)."
Cashbox published a review in the January 15, 1972 issue that said, "Judging from their popularity it's undisputable that Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton have the right combination to open the doors of success. Unlike most other C&W duets who spend most of the time harmonizing with occasional solos, Porter & Dolly are not only adept at their harmonies, they allow each other room for individual expression within the scope of each arrangement. Most unique is the extent to which they feel at ease with each other; the good time dialogue and banter in songs such as "I've Been This Way Too Long" is as much a part of the right combination as the music."
AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Cashbox published a review in the January 15, 1972 issue that said, "Judging from their popularity it's undisputable that Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton have the right combination to open the doors of success. Unlike most other C&W duets who spend most of the time harmonizing with occasional solos, Porter & Dolly are not only adept at their harmonies, they allow each other room for individual expression within the scope of each arrangement. Most unique is the extent to which they feel at ease with each other; the good time dialogue and banter in songs such as "I've Been This Way Too Long" is as much a part of the right combination as the music."
AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Billboard review, January 15, 1972.
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Cashbox review, January 15, 1972.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated January 29, 1972. It peaked at number six on the chart dated March 4, its sixth week on the chart. It charted for 16 weeks.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
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Reissues
The album was included in the 2014 box set Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976. The album was made available as a digital download on January 4, 2019. It was reissued by BGO Records in 2019 on a two CD set with Once More, Two of a Kind, and Together Always.