The music video for "Straight Talk" was directed by Dominic Orlando at the SIR Stage in Hollywood, CA.

The video's guest musicians included Russ Kunkel, C. J. Vanston, Kenny Gradney, Steve Farris, and Greg Ladanyi.

In a mixed review for AllMusic, Brian Mansfield said the "results vary, depending on how far Parton strays from her Appalachian roots" on the album.

He praised Parton's new version of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning", saying that it "polishes up nicely—all the L.A. glitz in the world can't hide the pure gospel beauty of that chorus."

He criticized the title track as not "nearly as strong as Parton's other big movie hit, but the way she sings it makes it nearly irresistible," but he felt that even Parton's "distinctive voice...can't save "Fish Out of Water" and "Thought I Couldn't Dance".