Her band, which are affectionately known as the Coal Miners, kicked off her set with a cover of “Okie From Muskogee,” where they tipped their hat to the late Merle Haggard. It was followed by “I Ain’t Never,” where Mel Tillis would have been proud, and The Lynns took the stage to sing “Sarah” and “Tulsa Time.”
As the country queen took the stage, her presence was met with a royal welcome from the Long Island crowd. She began her set with “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore” and the upbeat, convincing tune “You’re Lookin’ at Country.” One thing was definitely for sure. Her New York audience was definitely looking at country. In fact, it is safe to say that Lynn is the reigning country music matriarch.
Lynn took her fans on a trip down memory lane with such classics as “Blue Kentucky Girl,” her breakthrough single “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” and the feisty “You Ain’t Woman Enough.”
After “Love is the Foundation,” she took the audience back to “Fist City” and she paid her respects to her late friend, Patsy Cline, with “She’s Got You.” Equally nostalgic were such classic hits as “One’s On The Way” and “The Pill.”
One thing that Lynn deserves to be commended for is allowing her family members to share the stage with her, and for the following few songs she shared the spotlight with her great-granddaughter, Emmy Rose Lynn, who joined her for a duet performance on “Free Fallin,” and she was an absolute gem on the moving “Mimaw’s Guitar,” which she dedicated to Lynn, as she was watching her beaming with pride. Emmy Rose’s vocals were driven as the driven snow.
Other noteworthy classics included “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin'” and it was neat to hear her sing “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven,” which is off her new album Full Circle.
Of course, no Loretta Lynn concert is complete without her performing her signature tune, which turned into an Oscar-winning film starring Sissy Spacek, her autobiographical song “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Following that performance, Lynn and her band received a lengthy standing ovation.
The Verdict
Overall, Loretta Lynn proved that the country throne is still hers. At 85 years old, it is amazing that she is out there still touring and bringing her classic hits to her fans. Her witty personality was evident throughout the whole night. Lynn’s live show at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, which was a true family affair, garnered an A rating.
To learn more about veteran country star Loretta Lynn and her touring schedule, check out her official Facebook page.
