The year 2016 hasn't been kind to many of our favorite music legends. But in front of a sold-out Verizon Theater crowd on Saturday night, living legend Dolly Parton radiated love, laughter and life at her a joyous career-spanning show. And it was a show; calling it a concert doesn't suffice.
Even under the guise of the tour name "Pure and Simple," taken from Parton's new recently released studio record of the same name, the 70-year old entertainer expertly displayed evidence that she's a relevant modern artist -- far from a Branson-style legacy act.
The relatively spare stage production wasn't enough to dull the night's triumphant vibes.
Just in the past week alone, proof of Parton's continued allure was near unavoidable. Her made for television movie, Christmas of Many Colors, was watched by millions, as was her two-song appearance on NBC's The Voice. The destruction caused by the fires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee earlier this week thrust Parton into a spokesman type of role, since her famed Dollywood theme park has long been that region's claim to fame.
Long admired for the generosity she has showed her fans, Parton announced a number of fundraising initiatives she'll spearhead in the coming weeks to help those most devastated by the Tennessee fires.
But for a woman who jovially boasts about how the only "real thing about me is my voice," thanks to her collection of cosmetic surgeries, the night carried a vulnerable authenticity.
Though much of her entertaining between-song banter was surely rehearsed, and she admitted to employing an electric drum machine instead of a live drummer, her jokes cracked just right and her lengthy anecdotes were warm and insightful.
The sniffles she admitted to having from a slight cold lent the otherwise seamless presentation an approachable humanity.
And yes, while bombastic classics such as "Why'd You Come In Here Looking Like That," and the oft-covered favorite "Jolene," got pulses racing early, it was the more stark numbers that stunned the most. The old hymn "Precious Memories," during the first set and "Little Sparrow" in the second set were both sparsely backed showcases for Parton's powerful fragility.
Head cold or not; Parton's trademark soprano was in fine form at all times.
And the unplugged Bluegrass-style takes on "Rocky Top," and "Those Memories of You" were a pleasing contrast to two of her so-called "big production numbers." The second set-opening "Baby I'm Burnin'/Girl on Fire" medley was a rousing, colorful way to get people back into their seats and the sweeping, piano-driven "The Grass is Blue," featured billowing smoke enveloping the stage.
The best stage effects of the show however were the range of lesser-known instruments Parton used at various points. She elegantly strummed a dulcimer during "Tennessee Mountain Home," and she did the same with an autoharp for her unassailable ode to her mother, "Coat of Many Colors."
Perhaps the most fearless aspect of her performance was her desire to confess her love of Jesus. For anyone paying close attention, her Christian roots are more important to her overall body of work than any amount of rhinestones or physical alterations. "The Seeker," gave way into "I'll Fly Away," as much of the crowd rose to its feet and clapped along with a properly religious fervor.
Few artists in modern history have crossed over from country music into popular consciousness the way Parton did a generation ago. Box-office smashes, primetime hits and timeless pop standards are as important to her legacy as the tender stories of her Smoky Mountain childhood.
Few performers touring today could offer a trio of songs to highlight their icon bonafides the way Parton can. As the night entertainingly rolled to its conclusion, unassailable pop-culture touchstones "Islands in the Stream," "9 to 5" and the always goose bump-inducing "I Will Always Love You," beautifully laid out the case for Dolly as a living legend not unlike Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan or Willie Nelson.
Parton's sold-out tour is a prime opportunity for her to give the world a bit of love when it's most needed. She performs at WinStar World Casino Dec. 9 and 10.
