Plaza Theater

September 20, 2009

Charlottesville, VA

Review By: Richard

Wow. Magnificent. Astounding. Tremendous. Killer set list.

Even with knowing what the set list would be and the length of the show from Nicole's review, Patti and I were completely blown away from the ultimate Patty Loveless experience. 23 songs in almost two and a half hours. After the show, Deanie told me that she and Patty sat down before the tour to compile the set list. It seemed that Patty wanted to cover so much material that Deanie said that she would have to abandon the standard 75-80 minute set she has done for so many years. Patty embraced Deanie's suggestion, which led to the perfectly wonderful Grateful Dead-like full night set.

The show was held at the beautifully restored Paramount Theatre in revitalized downtown shopping district in Charlottesville, Virginia. We had spent the day at nearby Monticello, which was a wonderful exposure to the genius of Jefferson. We moved from the ornate and opulent architecture of the late 18th and early 19th century to the meticulously renovated theatre. All architectural elements - plaster moldings, painted designs of the ceiling, and the tapestries are all the originals.

As Nicole described in her review and a very chatty Patty explained to the audience, the stage was set up like Patty's great room in Dallas, Georgia. There were three lamps and tables on the stage with a large 1930's style console radio in the middle of the setup. After the radio blasted a few songs, ending with a Flatt and Scruggs breakdown, Patty Loveless was introduced as the next artist to play on the radio. The band assembled and a beautiful Patty followed, wearing jeans covered by a long flowing top. The unexpected opener, Nights Too Long, kicked off the splendid long evening. The sound was great, as Patty's voice bellowed off the high walls and ceilings. Wheel followed, then On Down the Line, which featured a brilliant interplay between Guthrie and Pete, on guitar and steel, respectively. Although the tour is billed as an acoustic evening with PL, Guthrie played electric and, of course, Pete was plugged in.

You Don't Seem to Miss Me was next with Garry Murray again aptly substituting for George Jones on the duet. After Lonely Too Long, a stripped down rockabilly tinged Lovin' All Night impressed the heck out of me. I must admit that the Rodney Crowell-penned number is not my all-time Patty favorite, but I loved the way they have worked it up for this current Magical Mystery Tour. I liked Tom Britt in the band, but the return of Guthrie Trapp provides a punch that takes the energy level up a notch.

The Sleepless Night mini-set, Crazy Arms, Color of the Blues, and Why Baby Why, was welcome and brilliant and easily led to 6 songs from Mountain Soul II. (As in the previous shows, the CD was available for sale in the lobby. No new shirt, though. Yeah, I am greedy) Patty told the audience that she listened to her fans clamoring for more Mountain Soul ever since the CD was released in 2001. Working on a Building included other worldly harmony from Sydni Perry, Garry, and bass player, Matt McKenzie. Sixteen year old Sydni also brought the return of the twin fiddles, which could be heard throughout the evening. Patty and Deanie bantered that Sydni had stolen Deanie's "big hair" away from her, as they kidded the brilliant youngin' during the show. Handful of Dust, Prisoner's Tears, and Bramble and the Rose were absolutely awe inspiring, as the energy from the band to the audience reached what seemed to be its peak.

But the peak was yet to come. As she had explained in the other three shows on this kickoff tour, Harlan Howard restored the original lyrics to Busted, a song made famous by Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. Cotton fields had replaced coal mines so that Harlan could have a hit on his hands. After Patty delivered a heartfelt version of the song, she spoke about her family in the coal mines, and her father's unfortunate death from Black Lung Disease, as she led into her tour de force, Harlan. I would travel the ends of the earth to hear her sing this song.

A rousing The Boys are Back in Town, with the aforementioned twin fiddles, followed. She then went back to her 90's hits - You Don't Even Know Who I Am, Trouble with the Truth, Blame, and Too Many Memories, dedicated to its late author, Stephen Bruton.

The encores were My Old Friend the Blues and Diamond in My Crown. Then again, maybe the last song was the peak. The pump organ was replaced by twin fiddles, but it was Patty's heartfelt vocal that makes this song a pure thing of beauty.

This tour has to be the all-time greatest PL show of all time, the ultimate Patty Loveless experience, as I said before. It was painstakingly produced and the set list is a well sequenced thing of beauty.

It was cool to share it with Wanda and her rapidly growing daughter, Sara, Teresa, and Larry O. and his wife.