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Tuesday, November 18,2008

Dolly Parton @ The Riverside Theater

Nov. 17, 2008

By Evan Rytlewski

Though Dolly Parton's stage persona is as fake as, well, most of her body at this point, she plays the role so convincingly that it's difficult to imagine her outside of it. Few could picture her, for instance, sucking down a cigarette and cussing out her sound guy before heading down to the tracks. It's easier to envision her in some sunny woodland, hand-feeding a fawn. Or at Dollywood.

Parton's hokey facade is a remnant of the old Las Vegas/Grand Ole Opry era of entertainment, and it still dominates her concerts. She spent nearly as much of her performance Monday night sharing stories and cracking jokes as she did singing, proving herself quite the comedian. At 62, she's part-grandmother (she riffed on her poor eyesight and mortality), part-cougar (she ogled a dancing beefcake), and her sharp quips had the audience roaring with laughter.

As her thoughts turn toward legacy building, though, she seems more eager to expose cracks in her timeworn, slow-country-gal guise. She made several sincere references to the difficult economy, and spoke of politics with unexpected specifics, mentioning not only the recent election but also Monday's meeting between Barack Obama and John McCain. Though Stage Dolly claims to spend her days on the tour bus drinking Kool-Aid and Bedazzling her guitar with glue and rhinestones, Parton hinted that Real Dolly reads the newspaper.

The title track of her newest album, Backwoods Barbie, more overtly made that case. "I know I look trashy," Parton smiled, introducing the song, "but I like to think there's a brain beneath the hair and a heart behind the boobs." A younger country singer-say, Gretchen Wilson-might have played the track as a "trashy and proud" anthem, but Parton instead twists it into a somber, meta number, shaded by alienation and self-doubt.

"I'm just a backwoods Barbie, too much makeup, too much hair/ Don't be fooled by thinking that the goods are not all there," she sings. "I'm all dolled up and hoping for a chance to prove my worth/ And even backwoods Barbies get their feelings hurt."

Posted at 11/20/2008 
 
Don
After reading what you call a "review" of Dollys concert one thing is perfectly clear. Yor are NOT a Dolly fan. I don't see one coment in your "review" about how her concert was. You just and on and on about everything except her singing. Dolly has been around a long time and there is a reason why. She made fun about herself saying, "it takes alot of money to look this cheap". That is her thing!!! Don't you get it???? Evan, this lady has lots of talent. She can write, and sing songs very well. If she is bad as you say, I am curious as to the number albums she has sold. A number of years ago, maybe 20 or more I was on a trip, going through I think it was Mississippi. In a rest stop I saw Dollys tour bus. Being the goofy guy I am I knocked on the door. A guy answered, and I asked if the "Boss was home?". She came to door and talked with my wife and I for about 5-10 minutes. That Evan, is what is real about her. She does care about people and her fans.
Posted at 11/18/2008 
 
I have been a dolly fan for more then 30 years and i look beyond the boobs and wig and see a woman with a heart of gold. I would do anything to be half as woman as she is God bless her and her career, a 4-ever fan Beth
Posted at 11/19/2008 
i met her once a while ago. she's the tiniest little thing. i just wanted to put her and her boobs in my pocket and take her home.
 
 
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