With a nod to blogging brethren jmount43 for the recommendations, I present to you this week’s cover songapalooza featuring Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” sung by both nascent alterna-folk singer Mindy Smith and the Norah Jones side band The Little Willies.

Smith brings a pleading vulnerability to the song making the listener feel her anguish as she begs the title vixen to not steal her lover away. That is a bit different than Dolly’s version which has always felt to me to have more of an edge to it. True Dolly recognizes that Jolene can take her man easily but their is the unspoken threat that once that happens Jolene is in for a good old fashioned beat down by Dolly’s woman scorned. Plus Dolly provides background vocals and harmonies on Mindy’s version which makes the entire song even more enjoyable.

Mindy Smith – Jolene

On the Little Willies version the arrangement is tweaked a bit with winning results but the MVP of this song is Norah Jones. I have always felt that Norah was a wonderful singer but her tone on this cover is just beautifully pristine. It doesn’t pack the emotional heft as Dolly or Mindy’s versions but it is an auditory treat nonetheless.

The Little Willies – Jolene