A posthumous release of Dolly Parton’s Jolene has been announced- this time in Welsh
A Welsh version of the country singer’s Jolene will be released this month(Image: Getty)
Dolly Parton recorded a Welsh version of her smash hit Jolene before her death, it has been revealed. Parton, who has links to Wales through her mother, teamed up with Welsh singer Bronwen Lewis, who was revealed how the collaboration happened.
BBC Radio Wales presenter Lewis originally shared her Welsh translation of Dolly’s classic song two years ago, and the version went viral, attracting the attention of Parton’s niece, Jada Star.
She said: ” I definitely didn’t expect it to attract the attention of Dolly Parton’s family.”
Dolly’s niece, who is also an American singer-songwriter, said: “This video went viral, and it was of this beautiful Welsh singer-songwriter singing her version of Jolene that she had translated into Welsh. Well, that started circulating among my cousins. My cousin Rebecca sent it to me, and we just fell in love with Bronwen, so we reached out.”
Bronwen added: “I was just so happy to know that people so close to Dolly loved what I did, and I’ve been a Dolly Parton fan all my life. A friendship with Jada followed, and she came over to Wales to visit me, and we performed at Pride together.” From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
It was after their Pride Cymru performance that Jada appeared on Bronwen’s radio show, and asked if they would like to record Jolene together.
The pair started recording and Bronwen said: “I just felt very strongly connected to the Parton family through Jada.”
That’s when Jada had an idea. The Welsh singer said: “So I got a phone call from Jada, and she gave me the news that her Aunt Dolly wanted to sing on ‘Jolene’ with us.
“I couldn’t quite believe it. I think I dropped to the floor, I started crying, I felt all the emotions. I called my mother immediately because she’s just as much a Dolly fan as I am. And I just couldn’t believe that Dolly Parton wanted to sing with me.
“Fast forward a few months, and with so much respect for our beautiful language, Dolly jumped into a studio in Nashville and recorded her parts for Jolene. We were thrilled, absolutely thrilled, to hear Dolly sing in another language and in Welsh for the very first time was just unbelievable.”
Dolly had previously told WalesOnline: “Some of my mother’s people, the Owens, are from there (Wales). I’ve been there about three times and it always feels good because it feels like family… Many years ago we took a little tour there because some of my mother’s people are from Wales.”
“Actually, years ago, when we used to tour, I did spend a day there just looking around and snacking in little places in Cardiff, but I would like to spend some real time there.”
Bronwen Lewis had intended to travel to meet Dolly ahead of the music’s release, but sadly she passed before the visit could take place.
Jada said: “Well, the news was devastating, not just for myself and my family, but for the entire world.
Bronwen added: “We grieved. We held each other close. And then Jada and I sort of stood up and realized the fact that what a privilege to collaborate and to record with one of the greatest musicians of all time, and one of the greatest women to ever grace this earth.”
Although, the pair didn’t let Dolly’s passing stop them sharing her music with the world.
Jada Star: “We did what she always told us to do, which was pull ourselves together and get ourselves back to work and finish what we started.”
In a message shared from Dolly, ahead of her passing she said to Jada: “Great job on Jolene and Bronwen did a great job and I did my best, ha!
“Anyway, I love the artwork too. Bryan did good with my Strawberry Margarita Nail polish colour. Good job all around. I understand that we’re not going to be able to do some of the things we had planned in September, Danny had mentioned but you carry on and do what you’re doing because you’re doing great. I love you, Granny.”
They then revealed that they would be releasing their special version of Jolene on Friday, October 9 and just wished “Dolly could be here to see the response.”
Jada said: “I know in my heart that she’s keeping an eye on all of us down here, and I really hope that you enjoy our song as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Bronwen added: “And gosh, she was proud to sing in Welsh.”
The collaboration between Bronwen Lewis, Jada Star and Dolly Parton will be released on Friday, October 9.
