“I always try to make positives out of any negatives,” Dolly Parton told Alastair McKay in 2005. She was talking about her appearance, and the way a poor girl from East Tennessee transformed insecurity into glamour. But the remark could equally stand as a motto for her life. Time and again, Parton found ways to turn adversity to her advantage, whether in her songwriting, her self-invention or the generosity with which she used her success. Few artists were so adept at turning adversity into opportunity, and few inspired such affection in return.
That gift, perhaps even more than the songs, helps explain the extraordinary response to her death. Dolly was admired not only for what she achieved, but for the way she achieved it: with humour, empathy, intelligence and an apparently inexhaustible capacity for kindness. You can read Alastair’s tribute to Parton on page 50 of this month’s issue.
Elsewhere, we have a major exclusive with Siouxsie Sioux: her first substantial interview in more than a decade, I think. Typically, she has chosen to speak not to promote a comeback tour or mark the anniversary of a classic Banshees album, but to celebrate the reissue of B-sides compilation Downside Up. The occasion allows Siouxsie (and First Banshee Steven Severin) to chart a wonderfully quixotic path through a remarkable career that began 50 years ago this month at the 100 Club Punk Festival and went on to produce one of the most influential bodies of work of the post-punk era. Gratifyingly, she does not disappoint.
There’s plenty more in this issue of Uncut: Neil Young, Roxy Music, Pearl Jam, Hawkwind and Stevie Wonder among others. I should also raise a flag for this month’s free CD: a brilliant collection of rarities and live cuts from the indomitable Richard Thompson.
Dance on moonbeams, slide on rainbows. But first let us know what you think: [emailprotected].