Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4761) (1972)
|
Together Always is the eighth collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on September 11, 1972, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album's two singles, "Lost Forever in Your Kiss" and the title track, peaked at number nine and number 14, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
|
Track listing
Side 1
- Together Always (Dolly Parton) 2:17
- Love's All Over (Porter Wagoner) 3:06
- Christina (Dolly Parton) 2:59
- Poor Folks Town (Dolly Parton) 2:41
- Take Away (Porter Wagoner) 2:24
- Ten Four—Over and Out (Porter Wagoner) 3:29
- Lost Forever in Your Kiss (Dolly Parton) 3:20
- Anyplace You Want to Go (Porter Wagoner) 2:15
- Looking Down (Porter Wagoner) 2:33
- You and Me—Her and Him (Porter Wagoner) 2:21
Recording
Recording sessions for the album took place on April 28, May 1 and 2, 1972, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. Six of the album's ten tracks were recorded during sessions for 1972's The Right Combination • Burning the Midnight Oil. "Love's All Over", "Take Away", and "You and Me—Her and Him" were recorded on April 7, 1971. "Anyplace You Want to Go", "Looking Down" and "Lost Forever in Your Kiss" were recorded on September 28, 29 and 30, 1971, respectively.
|
April 7, 1971
|
September 30, 1971
|
Content
The album consists entirely of songs composed by either Dolly or Porter. It contains their hit "Lost Forever in Your Kiss", in addition to the humorous "Ten Four—Over and Out", which exploited the C.B. radio craze a few years before it became a major phenomenon in the United States. "Poor Folks Town" was later recorded as a solo by Dolly on her 1980 album, 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs. The album features liner notes written by both Porter and Dolly in their own handwriting.
Release and promotion
The album was released September 11, 1972, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Withdrawn promotional cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4761) (1972)
Image credit: wessel_234 at discogs.com
Original promotional copies of the album sent to radio stations had different cover art. Supposedly Porter and Dolly had a disagreement over the cover which resulted in it being changed prior to release. Copies of the album with the original cover are extremely rare and have sold on eBay for close to $1,000.
Singles
"Lost Forever in Your Kiss" was released as the album's first single on March 6, 1972. It debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 8. It peaked at number nine on the chart dated June 10. It charted for 14 weeks. It also peaked at number five on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
The second single, "Together Always", was released on July 31, 1972. It debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 2. It peaked at number 14 on the chart dated November 4 and charted for 13 weeks. It also peaked at number eight on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
The second single, "Together Always", was released on July 31, 1972. It debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 2. It peaked at number 14 on the chart dated November 4 and charted for 13 weeks. It also peaked at number eight on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
The review published in the September 23, 1972 issue of Billboard said, "Two of the most consistent chart winners join forces once again for another top package loaded with programming and sales potency."
Cashbox published a review in the September 9, 1972 issue, which said, "The time is September, 1982, and the scene is an anniversary party. Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton are celebrating the tenth anniversary of their "Together Always" album; they are celebrating as proof that the album title was accurate and that they would truly remain a team forever. Maybe this fantasy is projecting too far into the future, but if you hear the closeness of Porter and Dolly's music on their new album, then you would not only agree with me, you would make advance reservations for the 1992 anniversary party!"
AllMusic rated the album 3 out of 5 stars.
Cashbox published a review in the September 9, 1972 issue, which said, "The time is September, 1982, and the scene is an anniversary party. Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton are celebrating the tenth anniversary of their "Together Always" album; they are celebrating as proof that the album title was accurate and that they would truly remain a team forever. Maybe this fantasy is projecting too far into the future, but if you hear the closeness of Porter and Dolly's music on their new album, then you would not only agree with me, you would make advance reservations for the 1992 anniversary party!"
AllMusic rated the album 3 out of 5 stars.
Billboard review, September 23, 1972.
|
Cashbox review. September 9, 1972.
|
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 37 on the Billboard Top County Albums chart dated September 30, 1972. It peaked at number three on the chart dated November 25. The album charted for 19 weeks.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2014 box set, Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976.
|
|
Releases
FORMAT / TITLE / LABEL & CATALOG # / REGION / RELEASE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)
- LP / Together Always / RCA Victor LSP-4761 / US / 1972 (withdrawn promotional cover, see above)
- LP / Together Always / RCA Victor LSP-4761 / US & Canada / 09-11-1972
- 8-track / Together Always / RCA Victor P8S-2024 / US & Canada / 09-11-1972
- LP / Together Always / RCA Victor LSP-4761 / Germany / 1972
- LP / Together Always / RCA Victor LSA 3138 / UK / 1972
- 6xCD / Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976 / Bear Family BCD 16889 FK / Germany / 05-26-2014
- Digital download / Together Always / Sony Music Entertainment / Various / 01-04-2019
- Streaming / Together Always / Sony Music Entertainment / Various / 01-04-2019
- 2xCD / Once More • Two of a Kind • Together Always • The Right Combination – Burning the Midnight Oil / BGO BGOCD1389 / UK / 08-09-2019