Is there anything Dolly Parton hasn’t done? Or can’t do? As one of the most gifted performers of all-time, Partons’ depth of talent knows no limits.
Besides being a businesswoman, actress, and philanthropist…her vocal ability is unrivaled. The way she uses her signature small town Tennessee girl voice to hit note after note with ease is one of the many reasons why her career has spanned over decades.
Furthermore, she’s never stopped pushing her vocal abilities throughout the years. In addition to her long list of accomplishments, yodeling is also in her bag of tricks.
Yodeling is no easy feat. If you doubt just how difficult it is, go ahead and try it for yourself. However, if anyone can master the unique vocal singings, it’s got to be Dolly Parton.
In recent years, a clip resurfaced online of a young Parton singing the classic Jimmie Rodger’s hit, “Mule Skinner Blues,” while performing on television. You’ll be amazed at Parton’s vast range as well as her hidden yodeling talent.
Dolly Parton Proves Vocal Talent Has No Limits
Parton recorded her cover of “Mule Skinner Blues” on her 1970 album, The Best of Dolly Parton. Her rendition was a huge hit and reached the third spot on the country charts in the U.S.
Parton’s yodeling take even led to one of her many Grammy nominations.
Later, Parton revisited the song as a duet with Bill Monroe, who had also recorded it. Together they performed it on the televised special, “Fifty Years of Country Music.”
Another fellow country artist who took a successful stab at yodeling was Jimmie Rodgers. He released a series of 13 songs during his career, titled the “Blue Yodel” songs, which includes what may be the most famous yodeling song of all time, “Mule Skinner Blues.”
Besides Parton, “Mule Skinner Blues” has been recorded by more artists than you could ever imagine. Roy Acuff, Woody Gutherie, Merle Haggard, Don McLean, and Van Morrison have put their spin on the classic country music standard.
Rodgers and George Vaughn co-wrote the song in 1930 as “Blue Yodel #8.” From its “good morning captain” opening to the final pleas of a hungry worker, the track pulls themes from Tom Dickson’s 1928 “Labor Blues.”
