Record Rack

Parton’s second album returning to her bluegrass roots is even more haunting than last year’s “The Grass Is Blue.” This is “mountain music,” and despite Parton’s big-city experience and pop-crossover years, it’s as authentic as it gets. Wrenching tales of well-meaning souls losing hope, faith and even life are balanced by a couple of joyful tunes, including Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You.”

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.