She's like a one woman juke box, belting out the hits from across the decades, and she's so gosh darn happy doing it, all sparkly and lit up, that it'd be a hard hearted person who can resist her charms.
Playing the first show on her Blue Smoke tour at Vector Arena last night, Dolly Parton was a master storyteller as well as musician. Her voice seemed as strong as ever at 68, and her fingers still nimble enough to jump between Autoharp, mandolin, and tin whistle...or was she miming? It was hard to tell - certainly not all the time, and most would have sympathy for giving her a little help when she sings for more than two hours each night.
Image 1 of 6: Dolly Parton live in concert at Vector Arena in Auckland tonight. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Either way, flanked by a seven piece band, along with three backing singers, and a mysterious backdrop (was it supposed to be shaped like symbolic cleavage? They made nice large screens for those down the back anyway), she had many tales of life in the Smoky Mountains, and memories of her mamma and pa to share as she sang her way through old favourites like
Coat of Many Colours, Home, Smoky Mountain Memories
