Customer Reviews
Barbie, maybe, but backwoods she aint! - By: Ryan Judd, 04 Sep 2008 
This CD is fantastic - a return to form for the First Lady of Country music. From the opening track, the lyrics & music flow easily, & are all likeable, 'catchy' & heartfelt.
Ofcourse they are stand out tracks - the first single, 'Better Get To Living' but also the wonderfully up-lifting 'Jesus & Gravity' & the great 'Shinola' (a track where Dolly gets mad & even!). Plus an amazingly original cover version of 'She Drives Me Crazy', where Dolly add's her own touch of 'crazy'!
Most of the tracks tell a story & so many, it seems, come - possibly - from Dolly's own life experience's, especially the title-track 'Backwoods Barbie'. And top marks have to be given for the art-work of the album - Dolly looks 'the part'.
This is cross genre music at it best - I cannot recommend more highly!
Excellent ... Well done Dolly !! - By: *, 06 Jul 2008 I just felt that I had to write a review.
We went to see Dolly last night at the O2 arena & wow ... what a show.
Over 2hrs she played 6 of the tracks above as well as her classic's Islandsin the Sream, Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of many colurs, Why'd you comein here looking like that etc.
I've seen a few concertsin my 25 years but that by far was the best (I think that with no warm up act & the seats we had helped!!)
Buy the cd & then watch the 'Euro 08' tour DVD when its released.
A great, but not that great. - By: M. R. Hallsworth, 18 Jun 2008 
For the die-hard Dolly fans i'm sure this is a 5/5 all the way but for me, a 28 year old casual Dolly fan its not quite perfect.
The stand out tracks for me are definately the title-track Backwoods Barbie, Tracks of my Tears & I Will Forever hate Roses, which is classic Dolly Parton!
The rest are very good with the exception of two.
Jesus & Gravity is cringeworthy & I can't even listen to it all the way through & i'm surprised it made the album. Only Dreamin' is a very folksy song but very bland & again, i'm sure a lady of Dolly's talents has alot better than this.
The Lonesomes is a great little blues number & Cologne is another of the heart-string pulling songs which she does so well.
Overall, while there's no songs to challenge "Tennessee Mountain Home" its a great album but the two poor ones took the shine off it for me.
Dolly still has an outstandingly beautiful voice & anyone who doesn't like this album doesn't like music!
A Welcome Return To Country - By: IWFIcon, 12 Apr 2008 
Apparently this is Dolly's first "mainstream" Country albumin 17 years. But throughout all the Bluegrass & covers albums, you should never have really lost sight of the fact that Parton is one of Country's greatest ever songwriters (and 9 of the 12 tracks here are Parton originals). And whilst this album would by no means convince anyone unaware of her greatness, there is just about enough of the old Parton magic to make this a worthwhile listen.
Pick of the bunch are the delicate Only Dreaming & the vibrant Better Get To Livin' which prove that for all the wigs, cheap-looking expensive clothes & ample bosom, Parton is a genuine talent.
Just don't expect anything but pained amusement from her cover of the Fine Young Cannibals (She) Drives Me Crazy.
Country Queen Shows What Country Really Is... - By: T. Atkins, 07 Apr 2008 'Backwoods Barbie', Dollys latest release, shows just why Ms Parton has beenin this business so long & why people love her & her music so much. Real, hurting & heartwrenching, 'Made of Stone' is easily an album standout. Its original country theme of infidelity is forefont, & dealt within impecable style - engrossed with killer vocals, tearjerking lyrics & worldclass musicality. The uplifting writing of 'Jesus & Gravity' & 'Better Get to Livin' create another 2 album standouts & really shine Dollys personality & self. 'Backwoods Barbie' is an autobiographical genius - true Dolly, & 'Cologne' will have you empathising with 'the other woman' - something very few have ever achieved. Ultimately, 'Backwoods Barbie' is an album about life, a spiraling journey through human emotion, topped with killer hooks & melodies & impecable vocals throughout. Dolly Parton deserves worldwide praise & mega sales for this masterpiece - a highlight of the 21st century & country music.
