The bluegrass label, Sugar Hill, typically gives us recordings that are very good---near audiophile quality, I'd say. Released in 2003, "Little Sparrow" is no exception. Dynamics are pretty good and so is Gary Paczosa's multichannel mix. Surrounds are fairly ambient and the center channel is used to complement the mains---not to overpower them. Musically, Dolly sounds right at home performing these 14 bluegrass songs. Half of them are originals, which tend to work best. The covers, which include primarily non-bluegrass tunes are a bit hit and miss. For instance, "Shine" by Collective Soul sound a little hokey. But, on the other hand, I believe her bluegrass rendition of Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You" kicks butt! For this album, Dolly Parton is joined in the studio by various singers and musicians including some from bands Nickel Creek and Alison Krauss & Union Station. In my opinion this is a quality disc, though, I'll admit it took me a few listens to get past the fact this was a Dolly Parton album. So it may not be for everyone.
