Dolly Parton's 'Pure & Simple' Tour. Boston. 6/21/16

After over twenty years, Dolly Parton is at long last embarking on a major North American tour in support of her upcoming new release "Pure & Simple with Dolly's Biggest Hits."

As the name suggests, it is a stripped down affair with just three of her longtime band members providing backup. This simplicity allows Ms. Parton to shine like one of her beloved rhinestones throughout the night. Relaxed and conversational, it may be the ultimate Dolly experience.

At Tuesday's show in Boston, Ms. Parton confessed to having a bit of a cold. To which she quipped, "I always say that my having a chest cold, is like a giraffe with laryngitis." (Insert rimshot.) However, by and large you would never notice that she felt under the weather save for a couple of brief breaks for a tissue.

Although supporting a new release, the breadth and length of this legend's career necessitates that much of the evening is spent revisiting her many hits. Even at 70, her voice is flawless and sounds better than most of today's young artists. Songs like "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That," "Jolene," and "Coat of Many Colors" sounds just as fresh as they did when they were released.

But, Ms. Parton is ultimately a storyteller. This is why the selections she performs from the upcoming release fit seamlessly in to the rest of the evening. If the title track ("Pure & Simple") or the slightly harder "Outside Your Door" are any indication, she will have another hit album.

A special treat of the night, is a couple of selections from the "Trio" albums that she recorded with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Here the gentlemen in her band perform for the missing women on "Those Memories of You" and "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." But you hardly notice a difference, because the harmonies are tight and the musicianship is first rate.

In between stories about her life and family and throughout the course of the show, she plays almost every instrument on stage. And the depth of her catalogues finds you going "I forgot about that one!" more than once.

All in all, it is a wonderful evening. She is charming, flirtatious, and self-deprecating. The jokes are corny and many of the stories we know by heart. But come on! It's Dolly. There is nothing not to love.

Dolly Parton's "Pure & Simple" tour continues through December. For a full list of upcoming dates, visit the Official Dolly Parton website.