Dolly Parton = Outstanding
So, on Saturday, this happened:
Yes. Yes, that is Dolly Parton. Playing a guitar. On stage. Right. In. Front. Of. Me. I'm not going to lie - she was bloody outstanding.
This is her 'Better Day' tour. She sang all the oldies - 9-5, Jolene, Islands in the Stream, Stairway to Heaven, Coat of Many Colours, Hear You Come Again and more.
Some newies from the album - Holding Everything, Together-You and I (my two new favs) and Better Day and more.
Some songs that weren't even hers - 'I like to sing other people's songs. I don't care if they sing mine. Even if they sing 'em badly.'
And of course, finished off with I Will Always Love You.
Not only that, she RAPPED. Oh yes, the Queen of country rapped. And. It. Was. Hilarious.
A costume ain't nothin' without some sequins.
She only bloody sang Little Sparrow and Precious Memories acapella - I nearly died. I did cry. She sounded even more incredible live than she does on her albums. The notes she can reach are insane.
She told us loads of her life story and gave background behind some of the songs. 'I was bought with a bag of cornflour...and i've been raking in the dough ever since!....And lets face it - I'm kinda corny too!'
Before all that happened, this happened:
Cowboy chic 2011. Handmade poster and hats courtesy of Shell. My Plymouth buddies and I left the city at 12 and after some stress inducing traffic jams, reached Cardiff at half 3. We mosied around the mall for a bit and had lunch/dinner (linner) at T.G.I. Fridays and met some random fellow Dollyer's complete with hats and cowboy boots. Themed.
Unashamed of our Dolly love, we advertised our banner while we were driving to Cardiff:
I think our fellow motorists appreciated it. Fellow Dollyer's in Cardiff certainly did.
This was my first ever music concert and Dolly certainly didn't let me down. I'm still not over it. Have flailed for days. May flail for a few more yet. Who am I kidding? A LOT more yet. Another outstanding day of 2011 to put in my diary. Thanks Dolly.
To conclude this amazing day, I shall return to my original three point summary to aid me:
1. Dolly Parton is absolutely bloody amazing. I don't care what anyone says.
2. I love it when musicians sound better live than on cd because it makes me love them all the more.
3. I. Just. Love. Her.