Dolly Parton’s passing was a cultural event that bridged the country’s deepest divides. She was hilarious and thoughtful, generous and immensely talented, an icon who saw every human being as equal and worthy of respect. We’ll never have another like her.
When Dolly died, I realized that as much as I adored her as a cultural touchstone, I wasn’t very familiar with her music. Aside from the four or five songs everybody knows, I had no concept of her extensive discography.
To remedy that, I listened to 15 of her most popular, acclaimed, or otherwise noteworthy albums to get a sense of the depth and breadth of her output. It was a fun and illuminating journey that gave me a deeper appreciation for one of the greats.
