|
 |
 |
 |
| |
| |
The lack of confetti cannons, mega video screens and elaborate scaffolding signaled to fans as they walked into the Scottrade Center on Thursday night that they were in for a night of traditional country music.
All three of the performers -- George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack -- delivered flawlessly in a concert perhaps best-noted for its emphasis on performances over props or pyrotechnics.
When Strait took the stage to the opening notes of “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” he delivered a rousing cover of “Twang” to open and then began to pick and choose -- wisely -- from a 30-year play list. From “Run” and “Check Yes or No,” to “The Fireman” and the Merle Haggard-penned “Seashores of Old Mexico,” Strait was smooth all night.
With impeccable backing from his Ace in the Hole band, Strait worked the square stage by walking from corner to corner, stopping for two songs at each one and giving the nearly sold-out crowd a good chance to see the King of Country Music at work. When he stopped at the corner nearest my seats for “Amarillo By Morning” a classic that highlights the mournful fiddle of Gene Elders, my night was made.
Strait seemed more comfortable on stage than some past shows. He changed one song lyric to give props to his “kick-xxx” band and looked like he was having as much fun as the audience. He also gave props to the songwriter before debuting “Arkansas Dave” from his new album. Since the songwriter is his son, Bubba, it was no surprise to hear the praise but the song delighted the crowd.
He wound up the main set with “Troubador” (which could be destined to become his next classic performance song) and “Unwound” before he returned with a fiery three-song encore of the Spanish mariachi song “El Rey,” his take on “Folsom Prison Blues” and “The Cowboy Rides Away.” After nearly two hours and 29 songs, the king put the crown on another one.
Strait got superb opening help from Reba McEntire, who wowed the crowd with a 19-song, 90-minute set of some of her best-loved hits. She works the stage like the Broadway veteran she is as she belted out “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” “Somebody Should Leave,” “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” and “Is There Life Out There.”
When Womack came out to duet with McEntire on “Does He Love You” their voices rang out note after note in an ultimate country diva-off -- with neither singer yielding an inch. Their duet nearly stole the show from both of them, although McEntire added a comedy bit with Melissa Peterman, her former co-star on her “Reba” television show, that the audience clearly adored.
McEntire came back to the stage for her encore song, “Fancy,” in a yellow cab and wearing a red dress, eliciting a roar from the approving audience.
If the night had any weakness, it was that Womack got only 30 minutes for her seven-song set. The Texas singer puts a good dose of torch and smolder in songs like “I’m Always Your Last Call” and “Mendocino County Line.“ Along with her biggest smash “I Hope You Dance,“ Womack added her new single “There is a God.“ If only God would have let her play a little longer.
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
