The Golden Streets of Glory is the sixth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on February 15, 1971, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. No singles were released from the album, but the title track was released as the B-side of the religious single "Comin' for to Carry Me Home" in May 1971. The album was nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards. The album's liner notes were written by Parton's maternal grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens.
Critical reception
The review published in the February 27, 1971 issue of Billboard said, "Sacred music is an essential part of the country field, and with this album Dolly Parton shows her knowledge of this material. Her vocals are full of sincerity and include such standards as "How Great Thou Art", "Wings of a Dove", and "I Believe"."
Cashbox published a review in the issue dated February 13, which said, "There has always been a tremendous similarity between country music and gospel music, and with this album, Dolly Parton closes the gap. Already one of the top female vocalists in her field, this new LP will practically immortalize her. It is honest, sincere, direct, and religious–all in one. "I Believe", "Yes, I See God", "Heaven's Just a Prayer Away", "Book of Life", "Lord, Hold My Hand", and "Wings of a Dove", are only a sampling of the selections that will make this new Dolly Parton album one of the all-time best sellers."
Commercial performance The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Accolades The album was nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards.
+Awards and nominations received for The Golden Streets of Glory Award Year Category Nominee/work Result Grammy Awards 1972 Best Sacred PerformanceThe Golden Streets of Glory
Recording Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 11, 12 and 13, 1970.
Reissues The album was reissued on CD for the first time in 1993 as Golden Streets of Glory, with the track listing arranged in a different order, and again in 1997 under the title I Believe, using the 1993 track order. It was reissued again in 2010 as Letter to Heaven: Songs of Faith and Inspiration, with seven bonus tracks, including the 1971 single "Comin' for to Carry Me Home," which did not make the original album track listing, and an unreleased song from the original album sessions, "Would You Know Him (If You Saw Him)". The album was made available as a digital download on August 19, 2016.
Track listing
Personnel Adapted from the album liner notes. Bob Ferguson – producer Les Leverett – cover photo Rev. Jake Owens – liner notes Al Pachucki – recording engineer Dolly Parton – lead vocals Roy Shockley – recording technician
Charts +Chart performance for The Golden Streets of Glory Chart (1971) PeakpositionUS Cashbox Country Albums8
Release history +Release dates and formats for The Golden Streets of Glory Region Date Format Title Label Various February 15, 1971 The Golden Streets of Glory RCA Victor United States April 27, 1993 Golden Streets of Glory September 16, 1997 I Believe BMG Special Products May 4, 2010 CD Letter to Heaven: Songs of Faith and Inspiration Various August 19, 2016 Digital download The Golden Streets of Glory RCA Nashville
References