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Live Review: Kenny Chesney - The Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA

The Staples Center was not only host to the western finals this week; Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates tour also came rollin' through L.A.'s basketball epicenter on Wednesday, May 28. The show kicked off with a set by LeAnn Rimes, who has come a long way since her early bluegrass days. Her sophisticated vocal prowess won the appreciation of the audience and set the stage for the show's eagerly anticipated headliner.

The main attraction kicked off with an ocean scene similar to Pirates of the Caribbean projected on several big screens that ignited an unmasked anticipation among the crowd. Kenny, dressed in tight jeans and a baby-blue tank, literally hit the stage running with "Live Those Songs," a cut from his album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems. Inflatable beach balls were released into the crowd as "Summertime," a fitting track for this time of year, was performed. Kenny kept the upbeat tempo for a few more songs then briefly slowed down to sing "Don't Blink," a sentimental track from his latest album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates.

With more than 12 band members, including a horn line, it's no wonder Kenny Chesney was named ACM entertainer for the 4th year in a row; however, he sounded as if his voice was ready to close up shop for the night about half way through the show. "Better as a Memory" and "Back Where I Come From" were performed with a guitar and back-up vocals provided by the audience. As fans, we appreciate the fact that Kenny is so dedicated to taking his show on the road, but a tired voice might be the unfortunate by product of that very dedication.

Special guests, Uncle Kracker and Kid Rock showed up to lend a hand for Kenny's infamous song "When the Sun Goes Down." He took back the show towards the end with "How Forever feels," but his voice was obviously taxed after giving it all he had earlier. Much to his credit, Kenny is nothing if not a trooper. He recently performed an entire show with a broken foot so fans were confident in his ability to finish this concert and leave nothing on the table. Doing just that, he proved to the audience that he deserved every performer of the year trophy he'd amassed by refusing to be stop until everyone was satisfied.

—Lisa Kozuch
06.04.08