Imperial Theatre

Augusta, GA

October 24, 2008

Review By: Cole


In all the years I've followed Patty, I've never waited this long to see her after a tour has started. Personal things in my life kept me from attending some shows that I had planned on attending. I originally had every intention of NOT attending the Augusta, GA show, and only the Newberry shows the following day. One of my reasons will seem oh - so - trivial to many of you, but was a big annoyance for me: the last time she played there, they did not allow photography.

This is nothing to some of you, but, I'm a current Photography Major trying to obtain her degree. I live behind my camera. It's my world, and when I shoot a photo, I feel how Patty does when she performs a song: I feel like I'm telling a story. My camera goes everywhere with me, and I've shot many shows with it--- but no performer inspires me behind the camera more than Patty. She's the only artist you're going to be able to capture emotion in.

After a year from hell for me, I decided to think over my decision to not go to Augusta. Everything in my life had taken an emotional toll on me and I just felt the need to hit some shows. I pulled up tickets online a few weeks ago and pulled up a front row. That sold me, I was there.

I woke up the morning of the show and headed to Augusta to meet up with Kathy and Kelly. The weather was HORRIBLE for all of us, and we were relatively stressed out from the trips there. (Thank God Kathy brought some wine!) We chatted and quickly caught up about what had gone on during the roadtrips, and kept up closely with the weather. On the way there, it truly seemed like tornado weather, and our cable had gone out in the hotel. But someone knew Patty Loveless had a show to do, and as luck would have it, the weather cleared up not too long before we had to head over to the venue. And then the best part: Photography WAS allowed! Yaay! (Now, they had horrible, horrible lighting, soooo I had to use my flash which I did NOT want to do. So some of the photos didn't turn out how I wanted, but I made do.)

Augusta marked my 184th Patty show, and I'm so glad I went. From the moment Jimmy walked off the bus with a grin on his face saying "Nicole!"-- I knew I made the right decision to come. It's what I needed. We headed into the show, and were all pumped for the show to start. The moment she walked out, all just seemed right with the world. She looked and sounded phenomenal.

I won't do major detail and post the entire - it was the basic one we're seeing, no surprise goodies this show. (I'm kinda hoping for Chains to make it's re-entrance in Prestonsburg next weekend though Smiley )It's going to take me a long time to get used to "Blame" as an opener. I'm not sure what I think quite yet. The band intro on it now is fantastic- LOVE that part. I kind of miss the sing along part, though Smiley I think she does too--- she's still in habit of doing the "SAY WHAT?".

She had a great crowd- as she usually does in Georgia. And, again as usual in Georgia, some of Emory's family came in. This time it was Aunt Louise, who Patty said was the best part of marrying Emory-- Louise became HER Aunt too. She dedicated the whole show to Aunt Louise because she missed her birthday recently as she was out on the road.

The crowd ate up "On Down the Line"-- many of them singing along or clapping along. They roared once she started into "You Don't Seem to Miss Me". It was great to have an appreciative, genuine "Patty Crowd". Nothing sucks more than getting stuck by the people who sit there and have no clue what she sings, and you start wondering why they showed up for the show. I looked back at Kathy and Kelly a few times, and was just so pleased to see so many people into the show, knowing the words, etc.

Now, normally I'm not crazy about "If My Heart Had Windows", but I'm really excited about it being in the set list. It gives Marcia a chance to shine on the keys-- and that she does. Marcia is simply fantastic. I missed the keys (and Marcia!) in 2005, and can't imagine the show without them anymore!

The Sleepless Nights set was a huge hit. This night she did "Why Baby Why", "Crazy Arms", "Sleepless Nights", "Color of The Blues" and "That's All It Took". Having already heard "Why Baby Why", and "Crazy Arms" live--- I was REALLY stoked about hearing "That's All It Took" since that's my favorite off the cd. They nailed it. Garry and Marcia have one of the most amazing blends with Patty, and I can't quite explain it. I'm so happy to have them both back. "Crazy Arms" was absolutely the most popular one with the crowd off the new cd-- I heard half the people in the row behind me buzzing about how fantastic it was.

She brought Tom Britt out and explained about how she's wanted to cut this next Steve Earle tune for years, and how she begged Emory to let her cut it. He told her no, she needed to live it first. She continuously brought it to Emory to cut and he told her no. She explained that it's kinda of like "front and back"- he wears producer on the front in the studio, husband on the back, and by the time she was recording "Dreamin My Dreams", Emory was going to be the husband and let her win and cut the song. She had definitely lived it at that point. I've heard this song so many times live and have always loved it, but it hit me this night and by the time the song was over, I was in tears. She poured everything into that song. And following that with "Here I Am"--- you could hear a pin drop in the theatre, the audience was simply mesmerized.

"Halfway Down" and "She Drew a Broken Heart" are always a blast. She's still the same ole Patty--- she had her hand gestures down for both songs. Tom Britt tore up his guitar solo and the girls were having a blast dancing to it. Even Jimmy was getting down and coming up with some dances.

And then my moment arrived- "You Don't Even Know Who I Am". This used to be my all time favorite in her set and I was devstated when she took it out. There's not a soul in this world that can attend a Patty Loveless concert and NOT have chill bumps and be moved by this song.

And, as with the rest of her shows, "Lonely too Long" (how awesome to have this back too!!!) "You Can Feel Bad", and "Elvis" ended the shows. Much to our delight, the audience DEFINITELY knew their cue to yell out "GET IT TOGETHER PATTY!", which just made her face light up. She received a standing ovation before coming out and ending the show with "Cold Cold Heart", in which I know I heard some sniffles from some criers in the audience. I also heard the drunk guy behind me decide that he was going to try to harmonize with Patty. Lovely.

The band this year is the best she's ever had. My favorite band prior to this was 2004--- Marcia and Garry simply have the MOST AMAZING blend with her. I can't imagine the band without Martin and Jimmy. It simply would NOT BE THE SAME. Pete Finney is the best damn steel player she's ever had. Tom Britt is an amazing talent, and I'm so pleased he's made the decision to return to the band. And Deanie, well....there's simply not enough words to describe Deanie. I can't imagine a Patty Loveless performance without her.

The show this year is phenomenal, and just the thought of having our girl back brings the warmest feeling to my heart. As Kathy, Kelly and I walked back to talk to Patty and get our hugs, I couldn't remember the last time in the past year that I've felt so "de-stressed" and happy.