’s celebrating her 78th birthday on Friday (Jan. 19) with a surprise deluxe release of her acclaimed rock album, . The 39-track collection features nine new songs, including a soul-stirring rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Parton approaches the timeless ballad with careful restraint in the beginning, assuming the role of a storyteller whose primary purpose is to deliver the persona's promise of unwavering companionship.
she sings tenderly over piano keys.
Gradually, the tempo picks up and a soaring choir arrives to augment Parton's chill-sending, emotion-packed delivery of the sentimental ode.
goes the heartwarming chorus.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was released by Simon & Garfunkel in 1970 as the second single off their fifth and final studio album of the same title. Since its rollout, the inspirational tune has been covered by a slew of music superstars, including Whitney Houston and John Legend.
Parton’s rendition is off the expanded collection of . Of the surprise rollout, Parton “It’s my birthday so I’m going to give you a present! I’m releasing four never released songs for my birthday, to go with the album, and a few others that you may have heard before that were not on the album.
”
“I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you all have a happy birthday for me! LOL,” she adds in the statement, before signing off, “Thanks for everything.”
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Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
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