Movie Review: ****Joyful Noise (2012)

I like music, and this movie has plenty of music and jumping and clapping songs that praise the Lord.  The church choir director has passed away, and the position maybe should have been passed to his wife G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) but instead goes to a choir member, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah).  But the two that really sing are Sparrow's grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordan) and Olivia (Keke Palmer).  This starts a pretty bitter rivalry.  The choir is wanting to compete and make it to nationals, which they have never quite accomplished.  However there are differences in which way the choir should go, more traditional vs more modern.  In the end they put on quite a show, which they really need.  And the two young people strike up a relationship. 

Music Review: 9 to 5 the Musical

9 to 5 the Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.  This stars Allison Janney (Violet Newstead) Megan Hilty (Doralee Rhodes) and Stephanie J. Block (Judy Bernly)

This is a musical based on the original movie, and has some positive things to offer.  However some of the language is too graphic to consider this family entertainment.  They us the some song (“9 to 5”) Dolly Parton sang for the movie, but add lyrics to introduce the main characters.  “Around Here” is a catchy song with ensemble and the main characters explaining their job to the new employee.  We get to see more of the character Dolly Parton played in the song “backwoods Barbie.”  In this song the character explains that she dresses the way she does because it is country glam, not to gain sexual points with the boss.  However a couple of songs stand out above the rest.  There is a nice love song, “Let Love Grow.” 

Love can grow in the strangest places,
Might find love in strangers faces.
Waiting just around the corner for all you know.

Love can grow where you least expect it,
Take and chance and don't reject it.
Love will grow if one just lets it,
Let love grow.

 

However the song I most enjoy is the postive thinking song.  There is a bonus version sung by Dolly Parton, and that is my favorite. 

Hello...I know you've got a world of problems.
And you think you can't do anything to solve ?em;
But I am here to tell you you can.

Somethin' got you down got you chained and bound
Well break it. (Face it)
If you've built a wall and know it needs to fall
Then shake it. (Replace it)
Somethin' that you know is dammin' up the ­flow
Tear the damn dam down.
Let me explain it.
If you don't take the reigns it's going to stay the same
Nothin's gonna change if you don't change it.

You got somethin' on your mind that's naggin' all the time
Well nix it. (Resist it)
Somethin' in your life that just ain't sittin' right
Well ‑face it. (Just kick it)
If you've lost your place somethin' in your face
If there's an empty space and you can't name it.
That feelin' in your gut that's got you in a rut
You're made of better stuff and you can change it.

1st Chorus:

Change it
You don't want your little light to never shine.
Change it
Turn it up on bright and get your goals in line.
There's a great new world out there
For those who dare to claim it.
A better day is on the way and only you can change it.
This is a show that confronted sexism and sexual harassment in the work place.  It does a very good job of this.  Dolly Parton’s music hits the mark in this regard, and she is a talent.  It is wonderful that her talent was portrayed on Broadway.

Music Review: Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors, 1971

The CD I brought home is the 2007 reissue.  It has a few extra songs not included in the original.  This is Dolly Parton at her best.  Dolly's voice has her own unique quality which is very pleasing to listen to.  I don't know how I would describe it, but I like it.  Coat of many Colors is a biographical song in which Dolly tells a story of her childhood years.  She tells about her poverty as a child, but she felt loved.  "One is only poor if they choose to be."  This is a special song:
"Coat Of Many Colors"

Back through the years
I go wonderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fog
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss

My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me

Traveling Man is also an interesting song.  It tells of a girl who becomes enamored by the traveling salesman, and is going to run off with him, but her mother beats her to it.  It ends with the line, "Oh "there goes my mama with my traveling man
And I'm really gonna miss that traveling man"  Sort of funny.
In "Hear I Am" she just present herself, "I have so much love to give; I need someone to share it with."
In "A Better Place to Live" Parton gives her idea of a utopian society where people are willing to love and work together.
And if we'd love one another instead of finding faults
We could afford the price of peace, love is all it costs
Oh wouldn't it be great to live and sing in harmony
Everybody take your brother's hand and sing my song with me."