Tag: Stevie Wonder

Beyoncé and Dolly Parton: “Jolene”

Beyoncé delves into country music with her new album, “Cowboy Carter,” including a recording of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” with an introduction from Parton.

Beyoncé had caused a bit of a stir with her album Cowboy Carter and her foray into country music. I have always loved when artists in one genre tackle another type of music, as it usually leads to fascinating results. And many before Beyoncé who are known for other types of music have recorded great country songs, such as Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Van Morrison, Etta James, and Elvis Presley. So, I have been enjoying the new album, which as others have noted, has its source in more than one type of music.

Beyoncé has remained above the fray, letting her music speak for herself. And she also uses her talent to help highlight the history of country music and its connection to black artists, including Linda Martell.

Someone as talented as Beyoncé covering a classic Dolly Parton song illustrates a deep understanding of their own talent as well as of country music. In Beyoncé’s new video for “Jolene,” she turns the song into a story of two lovers on the run, sort of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.

The video begins with Dolly Parton introducing Beyoncé singing Parton’s classic song of betrayal. Parton first released “Jolene” in 1973 ahead of her 1974 Jolene album. And here we are half a century later still talking about the song written by one of the Queens of country music with a fabulous new take by Queen Bey. Check it out, and also enjoy the harmonica played by Stevie Wonder.

Even just this version of “Jolene” has stirred some debate. Beyoncé changed some of the lyrics from Parton’s original version, which you can see in more detail in this article from People.

Some of the lyrics in Beyoncé’s version are more threatening to the other woman, whereas the singer in Parton’s version is more vulnerable, begging the other woman to give back the man. Spencer Kornhaber in The Atlantic, however, defends Beyoncé’s choice to make the song more about a Black woman fighting for her man.

Of course, it is the right of the artist to interpret a song, while also the right of fans to discuss the changes. That’s what makes music interesting. So it is okay to prefer one version or the other, but it is also okay to enjoy both versions. And after all these years of Jolene stealing the husband, it is time for a different take. As Dolly Parton wrote about Beyoncé’s version on Instagram:  “Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!”

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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Glen Campbell & Stevie Wonder: “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Duet of the Day)

I am not sure who was the person who thought up the idea to pair up Glen Campbell and Stevie Wonder on a Bob Dylan song, but I hope they received a large paycheck. In this video, Wonder and Campbell find a lot of soul in the Bob Dylan classic, “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

It is unclear where the video is from, but it may be from when Glen Campbell had a TV show. They do a wonderful job, playing off each other and not getting drowned out in the production.

Stevie Wonder can make any song his own, and he does a fantastic job. But Campbell is a surprise here when he hits the high notes in a verse. Together the two make beautiful music.

What is your favorite unusual duet? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Bob Dylan Live at Royal Albert Hall, 28 November 2013
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  • Beyoncé and Dolly Parton: “Jolene”
  • Sheila Atim Peforming “Tight Connection to My Heart” (Great Bob Dylan Covers)
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    BBC Releases All-Star “God Only Knows”

    Charity God Only Knows

    Reminding us of the old days when mega-stars would gather together to sing a song to benefit a charity, the BBC is celebrating the launch of BBC Music with a charity single version of the 1966 Beach Boys classic “God Only Knows” to benefit the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. Produced by Ethan Johns, the song is being released by Sony, and Universal, and Warner Music.

    The singers include the song’s writer, Brian Wilson. Other stars include Elton John, One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Lorde, Emeli Sandé, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Brian May, Dave Grohl, and Baaba Maal. The song also features the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Check out the “God Only Knows” video, which includes some cool special effects.

    The video was filmed at the Alexandra Palace theatre in London.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Beyoncé and Dolly Parton: “Jolene”

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    Bobby Darin Singing His Last Hit With Stevie Wonder

    Darin Wonder Carpenter

    On May 14, 1936, Walden Robert Cassotto, who we all know as Bobby Darin, was born in the Bronx. When one thinks of Darin, the first thing that probably comes to mind is one of his hits from the late 1950s or early 1960s, like “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover,” “Mack the Knife” or “Beyond the Sea.” But Darin continued to record in a number of different genres, including folk and country, and he also did some acting, even earning an Academy Award nomination.

    In 1963, Darin played a shell-shocked soldier in the World War II drama, Captain Newman, M.D.., which also starred Gregory Peck and featured other actors like Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, and Robert Duvall. The movie, based on a novel by Leo Rosten, followed the work of Captain Newman (Peck) at a neuro-psychiatric ward of a military hospital in Arizona.

    For his portrayal of the shell-shocked Cpl. Jim Tompkins, Darin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Additionally, at the Cannes Film Festival, he won the French Film Critics Award for best actor. He appears for a few seconds in this preview.

    Although he continued to record, act, appear on TV, and become involved in politics through the 1960s and the 1970s, Darin had his final Top 10 hit in 1966 with a recording of Tim Hardin‘s “If I Were a Carpenter.”

    Below Darin performs “If I Were a Carpenter” in January 1969 with Stevie Wonder when Darin hosted NBC’S Kraft Music Hall: Sounds of the Sixties special. Their performance has the feel of an impromptu jam, and it is pretty awesome.

    Although Darin is only 32 in the performance with Wonder, Darin had health problems through much of his life from a weakened heart due to a childhood illness.

    Darin passed away at the age of 37 on December 20, 1973, and at his request, his body was donated to science. As he did in his too-short life, Darin wanted to give everything he could even in death.

    What is your favorite Bobby Darin song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Beyoncé and Dolly Parton: “Jolene”
  • Glen Campbell & Stevie Wonder: “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Duet of the Day)
  • BBC Releases All-Star “God Only Knows”
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    Berry Gordy and the Legend of Motown

    Berry Gordy Motown Berry Gordy, the founder of the Motown record label, recently appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss his amazing career and a new Broadway musical about the early days of the label called, appropriately, Motown: The Musical. In the interview, Gordy told interviewer Anthony Mason how he started out writing songs for Jackie Wilson, his opening of Hitsville, USA, his affair with Diana Ross, and why he initially did not want to work with Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

    [October 2013 Update: The CBS Sunday Morning video is no longer available for embedding, although you may watch the segment on YouTube. Below is another interview featuring Barry Gordy.]

    What is your favorite Motown song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Glen Campbell & Stevie Wonder: “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Duet of the Day)
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