Dolly Parton Soothed Our Aching Souls Last Night in Philadelphia

All photos by Lisa Schaffer Photography

The incomparable Dolly Parton didn’t just give a concert on Wednesday night at the Mann Center in Philadelphia. She provided a much needed therapy session.

In the wake of a sad week in the news, she reminded us just how important music can be to our lives. She told us she loved us. She told us that we should all love each other. She gave us that amazing Dolly Parton smile, that sincere Dolly Parton energy. Oh, and of course, she gave us so many great Dolly Parton songs from her 50-plus year career.

Parton, who is 70, was joined by a three-piece band for the two-hour show. She was sparklier than a Disney princess thanks to all those rhinestones, which covered not just her but also her instruments. Speaking of instruments, I had no idea that she played so many. Sure, there’s a guitar, but she also picked at a banjo, and who knew that she could play the saxophone? And was that a dulcimer?

And yes, she did sing “9 to 5”: