In The Ghetto/Games People Play/’Til Death Us Do Part/Big Wind/Evening Shade/I’m Fed Up With You/My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy/Daddy/We Had All The Good Things Going/The Monkey’s Tale/Gypsy Joe & Me/Home For Pete’s Sake
During the late sixties country star Dolly Parton was very prolific, releasing duet albums with Porter Wagoner, as well as her own solo efforts. Her second 1969 release My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy is notable for the number of her own compositions. (US:194)
“The second 1969 album by Dolly Parton opens with sombre version of In The Ghetto that stands in contrast to next song, Games People Play, in happy, countrified dress. Porter Wagoner's hit Big Wind is a delicious, happy country gospel in her hands. Her own material is very interesting, apparently Parton really let her imagination run wild and she came up with several heavy drama stories. In all of this, Parton chirps like a birdie so it takes some time before the message of the lyrics actually sinks in.”
“This is Dolly becoming great. You have her distinctive voice with all the charm of that age. It includes five of her own songs; these are haunting numbers and we see all of the early talent of Dolly. For anyone who can get there hands on this gem, they will not regret it."
“At this stage of her career, she was still struggling to find her commercial breakthrough. It is a more consistent album than her somewhat uneven predecessors. However, none of the singles performed well on the charts, most likely due to their depressing and controversial, by 1969 standards, subject matter. Make no mistake, this album is no happy affair. The themes explored range from poverty, infidelity, and illegitimate birth to revenge, murder, suicide and prostitution.”
“There is no question that the choice of songs selected for Dolly’s early single releases was not exactly in synch with much of the late 1960s mainstream country music audience. However, I would argue that the sound of Dolly’s unusual voice was the primary problem with her initial acceptance. Many country radio programmers, as well as country fans, were not exactly captivated by Dolly’s rather odd vocal delivery. Her 'little girl' voice was a big change for country fans. The title song was the first single released but, despite its beautifulness about a young woman going to New Orleans to better herself, the track was a flop.”
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