Lenox – Over the last several decades, some of the world’s greatest singers have performed on the Shed stage at Tanglewood, and Dolly Parton ranks high among them. This would be remarkable even if she were 60 years old and singing as well as she did on the evening of Friday, June 17. But she’s 70, so comparing her with other working singers her age is difficult because the field is so small, even when you include the world’s vast contingent of virtuoso opera singers. Truth be told, the number of operatic sopranos capable of headlining 60-city tours, singing just as well at age 70 as they did at 30, is . . . zero. It would be absurd to expect such a thing.
But a near contender would be mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. Her performance as the Old Lady in the BSO’s 2014 Shed performance of “Candide” bordered on the miraculous. She sounded and looked great, and no one could believe she was 69 years old. But, as impressive as it was, von Stade’s age-defying feat is wholly eclipsed by Dolly Parton’s singing abilities. (And, in case you were wondering, Dolly’s vocal performance on Friday was obviously no ruse of technology.)
And if impossibly good vocal performances weren’t enough, Parton’s songwriting skills arguably eclipse even her own singing: Of the roughly 3,000 songs she’s written over her lifetime, 25 have reached number one on the Billboard Country charts. Expertly crafted mainstream pop songs like “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” amply demonstrate that Parton’s songwriting chops are in no way limited to the country music genre.
Dolly’s opening number on Friday night, “Train, Train,” had the sonic and visual impact of a speeding locomotive. It was almost a shock to hear someone her age singing with such tireless vigor and obvious ease in all registers. And the visual impact? That came from her conspicuous upper-body strengths, both of which are frequent subjects of her own onstage humor (i.e., she refers to the area between her breasts as “the Valley of the Dolls.”)
Parton’s set list on Friday consisted mainly of old favorites like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Here You Come Again,” bluegrass numbers like “Rocky Top” (which Parton’s band played with jaw-dropping precision and searing intensity) and “Those Memories of You” (featuring achingly sweet country harmonies of the type known as “the high lonesome sound”), and songs arranged in a southern gospel style like “Two Doors Down” and “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” The raucous “Baby I’m Burning” is straight-up rock ‘n’ roll and a perfect way to end a concert intermission.
A few selections from Friday’s show defy classification. Following a pristine solo a cappella opening, “Little Sparrow” blossoms into a stunning arrangement of subtle electronic colors and lush vocal harmonies performed by the entire group. Similarly, her unexpected tip of the hat to Nora Jones’ solo-piano-and-vocal version of “The Grass Is Blue” departs significantly from Dolly’s trademark sound of the past. (Thus, her trademark sound has expanded.)
Of course, Parton’s concerts always include a generous helping of both traditional and contemporary country music styles. “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” exemplifies the former, and the way she plays “The Seeker” nowadays is more along the lines of contemporary country music.
Friday’s concert included two new songs, “Pure and Simple” and “Outside Your Door,” from her upcoming double-disc album “Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits.”
Unfortunately, two hours isn’t nearly enough time to include all of her past hits, so there was one thing about Dolly’s performance on Friday that disappointed her fans: Not everyone got to hear all their favorite songs. (Tragically absent was “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”)
Family stories are always important ingredients in Dolly’s shows, and she long ago got her storytelling technique down to a fine science. She introduces “Coat of Many Colors” with one of her favorite and most poignant childhood anecdotes, which many years ago made its way into a children’s picture book.
After more than 50 years in the public eye, Dolly’s visage and persona are etched indelibly into our hearts and minds. She’s like the affectionate nanny who’s been living in our guest room for the past few decades, or the kindly aunt who offers words of wisdom and encouragement (not to mention candy) to all her nieces and nephews. This is the Dolly Parton we know and recognize the moment she walks onstage. And the reason we know her so well is that she has, throughout her career, made herself known to us. By revealing her deepest thoughts and emotions through her music, she has connected with us in a profound way, touched us deeply, and made us love her.
In everything she does, Dolly Parton wears her heart on her sleeve, and this, above all else — even above her spectacular musicianship — is what her fans cherish most of all.
