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Description: The acclaimed country-pop crossover vocalist on tour with tracks from her new album, Backwoods Barbie.
Phone: 0871220 0260
Website: www.theo2.co.uk
Email: customerservices@theo2.co.uk
Trains: Tube: North Greenwich, BR: Westcombe Park Railway Station 
, Tube / Bus: 108, 129, 161, 188, 422, 472, 486 
Extra info: Telephones, Food, Air Conditioning, Pub
Barbie belts it out: veteran Dolly Parton told jokes, played four instruments and rolled out a succession of hits
Another Dolly Parton tour rolls around with the same old routines, the same old anecdotes and most of the same old songs.
Yet just as the veteran star must employ an army of make-up technicians, plastic surgeons and hair architects to keep her looking a stunning (if somewhat alien) fraction of her 62 years, so she herself worked hard to make every note and every joke sound fresh as the country air.
The faithful fans who filled the O2 over two nights were aware that a Parton show is part gig, part stand-up comedy set, so didn't mind the long gaps between songs as she talked in her Tennessee lilt about growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains as one of 12 kids, her successful children's literacy programme the Imagination Library, and the sewing ability of her mother. Many started cheering for songs halfway through her tales, guessing correctly, for example, that the ramble about sewing was a precursor to Coat Of Many Colours.
It was hard not to gaze at her on the big screen even when she was present in the flesh. The five-footer is larger than life to such an extent that a gigantic monitor seemed like her natural habitat. There her famous bosom reached still more cartoonish proportions and the close-ups of her terrifying red talons showed why she has no need of a plectrum.
She played guitar, tin whistle, dulcimer and piano, all beautifully, sounding especially fine performing Shattered Image on a rhinestonestuddedlap steel guitar. The second half highlight-was Do I Ever Cross Your Mind, performed a cappella with her entire band in two versions, first as finger-clicking doo wop and then as foot-stomping gospel.
Tracks representing the jolly country pop of her latest album, the knowingly titled Backwoods Barbie, fitted in well, especially the man-baiting Shinola. It was only when she stopped the gabbing and rolled out hits in quick succession that the crowd rose to its feet and remained there. Here You Come Again, Islands In The Stream, 9 To 5 and the biggest of the big ballads, I Will Always Love You, confirmed that while she weaves a good yarn, it's when Dolly Parton sings that she's really on song.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
My brother and I went to the concert in Denver. WOW WOW WOW is all I can say. We had front row seats and my brother was thrilled as he knows she made eye contact with him! She sang, danced, played several instruments, told jokes and talked about her life...it was such a great time. She is a true entertainer and the thing is she loves it. You know she makes good money doing it, but it's in her heart to keep entertaining and she is truly a star. It was such a treat seeing her and " I will always love her" as she loves her fan and people in general.
- Amy Peterson, Brighton Colorado USA
Having made a short comment on here a few weeks ago, I came back to read all the added reviews. Well what can I say, If you didn't enjoy the Dolly concert with her chatting between songs, you can't be a Dolly fan. At the age of 62 Dolly can put a lot of people to shame with her stamina and her love of performing. She's honest, sincere and the love for her family shines through her songs. For me I enjoyed every moment of the concert. I have not taken her backwoods barbie CD out of my car since going to her concert. I'm still on a high from seeing her live on stage. The large screens added to the enjoyment of seeing her close up. She really is my shining star - Dolly you made my dream come true. Thank you.
- Julie Stockman, Torbay Devon
Look, it seems to me that nobody is loving dolly for the true person that she is, I have been a die hard fan of hers since I was about 8 (I am 33 now) I know the names of all her siblings willerdene, david, denver, dolly, bobby, stella, cassie, randy, larry, floydd, frieda and rachel.. I am a true fan and don't care if she mimed. I don't care if she sang bla bla black sheep, the whole thrill was just to breath the same air as her for the short while that I did, also last year too.. She is a superstar in my eyes always and forever, the most honest human being.
- Kerry, barry vale of glamorgan cardiff
I went to London to see Dolly again. Look people this is 2008 and miming is mixed with live singing in almost every show I have been to. Every concert has back up sound to aid the performer. Dolly is a fantastic singer and entertainer. I go for the entertainment and I was glad to pay the money! I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. Dolly is fabulous! one of a kind! and I will always love her!
- Mark Adkins, Fort Lauderdale USA
I know this comment isn't strictly for this show but my sister and I went to the Cardiff Dolly concert and were 8 rows from the front. From here we could tell, to our huge disappointment and amazement, that she mimed every song (with the possible exception of one). We couldn't believe it. We felt utterly cheated. We are going to write to her PR people and demand an explanation and hopefully our money back. Dolly is one of the few performers who doesn't need to mime. It must have been so boring for her, as it was for us. I just hope that she was saving herself for you guys at the O2, and, if that was the case, the organisers should have put a rest day in-between dates. I know it was only a concert but after years of dedication to the woman we felt cheated, angry and patronised.
- Emily, Bristol, UK
I went to the Cardiff show last week with a group of friends, and even though we all enjoyed it the debate in the pub afterwards was all about whether she was miming rather than singing live on all the songs. Most of us thought she was miming on some songs and not playing most of the instruments- particularly the piano.
- Susie, Cardiff, cardiff wales
Paul Griffiths: Did you get the tickets as a gift? If not you purchased them yourself so should have been well aware what seats you were going to be in. Take your mistake like a man. As for leaving half way though. Your loss. The 2nd half was amazing.
Lisa: It seems your taste in music (Take That!) is a far cry from Dolly and if you didn't know the chatter was coming you're obviously not a fan. Do everyone a favour and stay at home next time. If you were the noisy individual at the back, facing the stage, you deserved to be told to SHH! If it wasn't you I have to assume you were annoying none the less if you felt the need to "create" your "own entertainment". Saying someone like Dolly Parton could learn lessons from washed-up has-beens like Take That is priceless though. Priceless.
The concert was FABULOUS! I loved the mix of old and new and I LOVED her stories because fans know that is as much of her act as singing.
- Mary, London
Dolly is, quite simply, a legend. I saw her on Sunday night at the 02 with three friends and we all agreed it was one of the best nights of our lives!
Talent, glamour, humour, intelligence - the woman has it all!
And that's before you even get to the songs themselves...anyone who can listen to Coat of Many Colours without their heart soaring, or to Jolene without yelling along till they're hoarse, frankly doesn't deserve to be in the presence of this phenomenal lady.
She truly is 'a diamond in a rhinestone world'...come back soon Dolly!
- Bg, Scotland
I went to see Dolly in Cardiff on 4th July, she was brilliant... waited all year to see her.
- Julie Stockman, Torbay Devon
It’s difficult to even begin explaining how I felt once that silhouette of Dolly appeared at the beginning of the show. She was there, on the stage, about to appear… in all of her amazing, angelic, glittering, sparkling and legendary glory. The curtain disappeared and there was Dolly and I was completely immersed in her world, presence and aura. This tour was incredible and everything you can want from Dolly. I’ve been to many Dollytastic shows and the O2 concerts on 5th and 6th July were, for me, two of the most spectacular. The crowd absolutely loved Miss Dolly and she loved us right back. With all of her trademark sassy wit and humour, the stories we love to hear and of course the music, I was in Dolly heaven. Dolly took me through a roller coaster of emotions, with such a fantastic mix of songs, both old and new. If I wasn’t dancing I was crying and I sang my heart out. Thank you Dolly for everything you’ve done and have yet to do. Thank you for sharing your dreams and your laughter. You’re the real deal Backwoods Barbie. You’re my angel, I love you dearly and I will always love you.
- Gerard Mcguickin, London, UK
I saw Dolly perform in Cardiff (4th July) and the O2 London (6th July) and can honestly say that the London concert was the most amazing concert I have ever been to!
The audience were on their feet for the majority of the concert and the whole concert was a lot better put together than last year's tour. Yes Dolly tells stories between songs but that is always the case and it's part of the show. I thought the stories/gaps between songs were actually shorter this year and the concert had a good pace about it.
Dolly showed a fantastic range of songs and singing styles as well as a great array of instruments. She is deservedly an icon and a music legend. Long may she continue and let's hope she hurry back to the UK soon!
- Dale, Swindon
I thought Dolly was fantastic, the crowd were amazing and really added to the atmosphere, it was electric. It was lovely to here her sing songs from her new album as it kept the concert fresh, she could have sang any one of her hundreds of songs, they all would have been received greatly, there are not many artists you can say that about. I felt she really felt the love from the crowd. Come back soon!
- Lorraine, Brighton, England
I can only assume that MsJunior & Paul Griffiths went to a Madonna concert by mistake. As Dolly Parton at the O2 was a huge resounding success. The audience were up on their feet to virtually every song and the roar of applause at several of the songs was almost deafening. It is true that Dolly tends to ramble on a bit between songs but that's the whole point of "Entertainment". Why go to a concert just to listen to someone sing one song after another? You might as well buy the CD and stay at home. Dolly is very funny and witty and you actually learn something about her. Perhaps Take That could learn something from Dolly Parton and that is that you don't retire after 10 years because your singles aren't selling, disappointing all the fans you have built up, only to make a hyped "comeback" because your ego's been knocked back. Dolly has been entertaining and performing, writing, singing, acting etc for over 40 years, with no signs of slowing down or letting her fans down. Rock On Dolly.
- Mike, Cambs
She is amazing, untouchable
- Lisa, Nottingham
Well you just cant please some folk can you. I personally prefer Dolly chatting about her life, she is humble and proud from where she came from. I would have paid £165 per ticket and still would have been happy. At least you know your seeing a real person and not some god damn robot who comes on and sings dont make conversation and then go off. You get a real show with Dolly and I for one am proud to to have seen her on tour for last two years and will continue to do so until she decides to rest.
- Lisa, Nottingham
Left a bit disappointed with the set. Way too much talking, rehashing of old stories. For 65 pounds, this was an expensive spoken word event. The hits did come (eventually) but it had all gone a bit flat by then. And then to be told to be quiet by a fellow audience member really put the icing on the cake. This was only because we had to make our own entertainment in the massive gaps between songs. These concert promoters seem to think that you can charge any price, for any old show, and just because it's a big star, we'll put up with anything that they constitute as entertaining. I won't make this mistake again. At least we were front of the queue for the boat, and safely arrived in Waterloo in time for a last drink. I'll stick to the Greatest Hits CD, in future. Shame really, but there you go (again). PS went to see Take That in the same venue in December, and although not a huge fan, they did put on a good show, that were entertaining for all the time I was in my seat. Lessons could be learned.
- Msjunior, SW19, London
I can only assume the reviewer of the Dolly Parton show at the 02 had close up seats on the arena floor. Try sitting in a seat in the raised seats at the side and your enjoyment of a show might be somewhat different. This was my second visit to the 02 and it will be the last. I had previously seen the Stones and now Dolly. On both occasions the sound has been dreadful and I have left halfway through - at the prices they charge you would think they could get it right.
- Paul Griffiths, London UK
