Reba McEntire is simply still one of the best entertainers touring in any genre. On this night, in Penticton, BC, Canada, she electrified her audience from the moment she rose from beneath the stage and kept them fully charged throughout her entire 90 minute performance and encore.
McEntire, touring in support of last year’s “Keep On Loving You” CD release, skilfully mixed several tunes from her most recent offering with former #1 hits and personal favourites, and even injected a little humour with Reba show actress Melissa Peterman joining her on stage and “helping her out” with the Reba show theme song.
McEntire’s unique voice and vocal style shone through in all the places you expected them to. It is her strongest suit, but she is one of those rare breeds that flirts with possessing the entire deck. Seemingly beyond just being at home on the stage, she glided effortlessly across the stage and through her songs in a seamless combination of professionalism and naturalness that almost made her substantial talent seem incidental. Almost. An entertainer of the highest calibre, Reba McEntire is so much better live than on CD, which is saying an awful lot considering how good she is on record.
McEntire’s band was the quintessential hot country band with each player possessing more than ample chops, but always making them subservient to the song. Each, when called upon, soloed tastefully before retreating into a very cohesive unit perfectly supporting McEntire’s singing.
The sound, for the most part, was excellent. The lighting nicely understated. The stage set was huge, but not overbearing. Every aspect of this show was handled masterfully. I suppose when you’re part of a Reba McEntire tour, you have to be among the best at what you do.
McEntire continues on the road with Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada up next and then further on down the road. One of the best bets for your entertainment buck in 2010 if you’re a country fan.
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