Dolly does it again — wows WaMu crowd

Dolly Parton has to be one of the most authentic fakes in show biz superstardom.

Now, calm down, Dolly fans. "Fake" refers only to the copious amount of cosmetic surgery Parton would cheerily 'fess up to, and those towering white-blond wigs she favors.

What is entirely real is the bountiful talent of the country music queen and troubadour. And the stage manner so warm and embracing, Dolly's concerts feel like gatherings on her own front porch.

In her terrific 90-minute show at WaMu Theater on Friday night, Parton came right out in a tinsel-hemmed white dress to sing a bushel of tunes. She got the full house hoopin' and hollerin' for such grand ole oldies as "Islands in the Stream," "Two Doors Down," and, her satisfying finale, "I Will Always Love You."

She also uncorked some newer tunes (from her aptly titled new disc, "Backwoods Barbie"), like the snappy ditty with a chorus of "You don't know love from Shinola." (That's shoe polish, young'uns.)

The force and purity of her mountain dew soprano have worn well. So have Parton's instrumental chops. Joining in with her crackerjack band, she played guitar, harmonica, pennywhistle, piano, and what may be the only rhinestone-encrusted dulcimer in captivity.

Chatting amiably and cracking jokes, Parton radiated a just-folks attitude that's suited her over a 40- year career, with 25 number #1 country hits.

Her bubbly candor and self-mockery are part of Dolly's appeal. She spoofed her voluptuous figure, and trashy fashion sense ("it takes a lot of money to look this cheap").

But it's her singing and songwriting that underpin Parton's success. At WAMU, she evoked her native Smoky Mountains, with her lovely tune "Coat of Many Colors;" a white gospel rendition of her "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?," with male harmonies; and a shivery a cappella airing of her Appalachian-style ballad, "Little Sparrow."

The noble, humble, rural America Parton celebrates has faded. But she's shrewdly moved on too, absorbing pop and rock idioms. (Her hoedown cover of "She Drives Me Crazy," by the Fine Young Cannibals, was a blast.)

Her next move? Parton proudly declared she's written the score for "9 to 5," a new stage musical based on a film she co-starred in. Dolly conquers Broadway? You betcha.