All I Can Do is the seventeenth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on August 16, 1976, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Dolly and Porter Wagoner. This was the first album where Dolly was credited as a producer. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The first two singles, "Hey, Lucky Lady" and the title track, peaked at number 19 and number three, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Shattered Image" was released as a single in the UK. ?The album was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.
In addition to eight Parton compositions, the album includes two covers: Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham" and Merle Haggard's "Life's Like Poetry." The album was released around the time Dolly began appearing regularly in the tabloids, and "Shattered Image," which advised to "stay out of my closet if your own's full of trash," was written as a reaction to that.
"The Fire That Keeps You Warm" was previously recorded by Dolly and Porter Wagoner on their 1974 album, Porter 'n' Dolly.
Dolly re-recorded "Shattered Image" for her 2002 album, Halos & Horns. ? "Falling Out of Love with Me" was covered by country-rock band Pinmonkey in 2002 for their eponymous album with Dolly providing harmony vocals.
Recording sessions for the album took place on February 17, 18, and 19, 1976, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. "Hey, Lucky Lady" was recorded during a December 9, 1974 session for the 1975 album, The Bargain Store.
December 9, 1974 Hey, Lucky Lady
February 17, 1976 Shattered Image I'm a Drifter Preacher Tom
February 18, 1976 All I Can Do ?Falling Out of Love with Me
February 19, 1976 Boulder to Birmingham The Fire That Keeps You Warm Unknown dates When the Sun Goes Down Tomorrow Life's Like Poetry
The album was released August 16, 1976, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
"Hey, Lucky Lady" was released as the album's first single on February 2, 1976. It debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated February 28. It peaked at number 19 on the chart dated April 10, its seventh week on the chart. The single charted for 11 weeks. It also peaked at number 17 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 11 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single, "All I Can Do," was released on July 5, 1976. It debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 31. It peaked at number three on the chart dated October 9, its eleventh week on the chart. The single charted for 15 weeks. It also peaked at number one on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"Shattered Image" was released as a single in the UK on November 19, 1976, and did not chart.
The album was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards in 1977. The title track, "All I Can Do," received a Country Award from BMI in 1977.
Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2009 box set, Dolly ("All I Can Do"), and may not represent the personnel for all tracks.
Stu Basore – steel guitar Herb Burnette – art director Don Cusic – liner notes Bobby Dyson – bass Vic Jordan – banjo Dave Kirby – guitar The Lea Jane Singers – background vocals Charlie McCoy - vibes Mark Morris – drums Bruce Osbon – guitar Dolly Parton – lead vocals, producer, arrangements Tom Pick – recording engineer Hope Powell – photography Tom Rutledge – guitar Roy Shockley – second engineer Bobby Thompson – guitar Porter Wagoner – producer, arrangements Jerry Whitehurst – piano Paul Yandell – guitar
