The words “icon” and “legend” are thrown around a bit frivolously these days, aren’t they? But who among us didn’t love Dolly Parton?
In standard Pencil Storm protocol, we’ll leave the biographies and lengthy accolades to the big players, but I have to say that Dolly’s been a part of my life since the films 9 to 5 and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas to the first time I heard that haunting guitar picking and melody that kicks off “Jolene” and took my own stab at one of my favorites of hers, “Here You Come Again” back in 2020.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN:
Jeremy Porter covers “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton on 2020 for the PRF Tribute Series on Bandcamp
One of my favorite songs by the great Bottle Rockets is “Perfect Far Away” and it all made sense when, years later, I learned that it was about the time their singer/songwriter Brian Henneman saw Dolly in concert from the cheap seats.
PERFECT FAR AWAY by THE BOTTLE ROCKETS
She ripped through this heart of mine like a weed eater with brand new line
There was no blood and no, there was no gore
She cut me clean she cut me fine I knew she never could be mine
Still I had been changed forever more
I wonder if she's real I really couldn't say
Well I don't want to know cause she's so perfect far away
I won't see her again I bet but I I don't think I'll soon forget
The way she first said "Howdy" to my brain
Wish I could say she looked my way, she never did but that's OK
I looked at her and never was the same
I wonder if she's real I really couldn't say
Well I don't want to know cause she's so perfect far away
I could try to steal her, try to touch her, try to feel her
Yeah I could try to make her be my own
Thoughts like these I've got to quit hey I don't want to ruin it
I guess some dreams are better left alone
I wonder if she's real I really couldn't say
Well I don't want to know cause she's so perfect far away
During the pandemic I became borderine-obsessed with the music of Nancy Sinatra, especially the work she did with Lee Hazlewood. The Start Walkin’ 1966-1976 compilation was the sountrack for many-a-#whiskeywednesday and Saturday night. The song “Down From Dover” was especially haunting, and I was surprised, but then not, that it was written by Dolly, who does an amazing version herself.
Rest in peace sweet Dolly, angel, legend.
Jeremy Porter lives near Detroit, fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos, and plays acoustic shows all over the place. Follow him and them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
www.jeremyportermusic.com | www.blog.jeremyportermusic.com
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Twitter: @jeremyportermi | Instagram: @onetogive & @jeremyportermusic
