Always, Always is the third collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on June 30, 1969, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 162 on the Billboard 200 chart. "Yours Love" and the album's title track were released as singles, peaking at numbers nine and 16, respectively.
Recording Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 3 and 20, 1968. Three additional sessions followed on April 21, 22 and 23, 1969.
Release and promotion The album was released June 30, 1969, on LP and 8-track.
Singles The album's first single, "Yours Love", was released in February 1969 and debuted at number 39 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It peaked at number nine on the chart dated May 10, its tenth week on the chart. It charted for 14 weeks. The second single, "Always, Always", was released in May 1969 and debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 21. It peaked at number 16 on the chart dated July 26, its sixth week on the chart. The single spent 11 weeks on the chart.
Critical reception
The review in the July 12, 1969 issue of Billboard said, "In the tradition of the country duet, you would have to see far to find another as polished and professional as Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton—and few of those would be as successful. Here's their hit "Always, Always", and the impactful "Yours Love". Also recommended: "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby"."
Cashbox published a review which said, "Titled after their latest single, this talented twosome offer a powerful package loaded with listening and sales appeal. Set contains twelve oldies and newies, including "Milwaukee, Here I Come", "Why Don't You haul Off & Love Me", "There Never Was a Time", "No Reason to Hurry Home", and "Anything's Better Than Nothing". Expect instant action on this one."
AllMusic rated the album 3 out of 5 stars.
Commercial performance The album debuted at number 35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated August 2, 1969. It peaked at number five on the chart dated September 19, its eighth week on the chart. It spent a total of 27 weeks on the chart. The album also peaked at number 162 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
Reissues The album was reissued on CD with 1971's Two of a Kind in 2008. It was released as a digital download on November 2, 2010. The album was included in the 2014 box set Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976.
Track listing
Personnel Adapted from the album liner notes and RCA recording session records.
Jean Alrshuler – harp Joseph Babcock – backing vocals Glenn Baxter – trumpet David Briggs – piano Jerry Carrigan – drums Anita Carter – backing vocals Bobby Dyson – bass Dolores Edgin – backing vocals Bob Ferguson – producer Lloyd Green – steel Roy M. Huskey, Jr. – bass Little Jack Little – liner notes Mack Magaha – fiddle, liner notes George McCormick – rhythm guitar, liner notes Bill McElhiney – trumpet Wayne Moss – guitar Al Pachucki – recording engineer June Evelyn Page – backing vocals Dolly Parton – lead vocals Hargus Robbins – piano Speck Rhodes – liner notes Roy M. Shockley – recording technician Jerry Stembridge – electric guitar Buck Trent – banjo, liner notes Porter Wagoner – lead vocals Don Warden – liner notes Hurshel Wiginton – backing vocals
Charts +Chart performance for Always, Always Chart (1969) Peakposition
Release history +Release dates and formats for Always, Always Region Date Format Title Label Various June 30, 1969 Always, Always RCA Victor United States February 12, 2008 CD Always, Always / Two of a Kind American Beat Various November 2, 2010 Digital download Always, Always
References