The ultimate queen of country, Dolly Parton, treated fans to a night to remember when she played the Echo Arena as part of her ‘Better Day World Tour’.
Dolly sang all the biggest hits from her incredible career, as well as songs from her new album ‘Better Day’, an optimistic and upbeat record which proves that there is no stopping the 65-year-old.
The crowd thoroughly enjoyed her latest numbers, and were equally impressed by the Tennessee native’s rendition of the Beatles’ ‘Help!’ and her tribute to the city and band at the beginning of the show.
Defying her age, Dolly was a bundle of energy, dancing around the stage and entertaining the crowd with her incredible voice, which was as strong as ever.
She also showed that she is not only a country music legend but that she can turn her hand to any style of music. The title song from her album ‘Better Day’ is a blues number and, much to the delight of the audience, she gave a surprise rap.
Turning her hand to a number of different instruments, including the piano and saxophone, she used the performance to take the audience through her childhood.
Having come from very humble beginnings, she talked about her family with great affection. ‘Coat Of Many Colors’ was dedicated to her mother and ‘Smoky Mountain Memories’ to her father.
One of her most famous hits, ‘Jolene’, featured early in the concert but she saved others for an incredible finale, getting the audience on their feet dancing to ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Islands in the Stream’.
She ended the show with the beautiful ‘I Will Always Love You’, a song she wrote and Whitney Houston covered with spectacular success.
Funny, lively and warm, the night was a perfect celebration of the incredible career of Dolly Parton. The crowd no doubt left hoping she comes to Liverpool again, just as she promised.