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Music review: Kenny Chesney ëƵ ëƵLive in No Shoes NationëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 3 min read
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Music review: Kenny Chesney ëƵ ëƵLive in No Shoes NationëƵ
2 / 2

Rhodes

ThereëƵs no doubt that Kenny Chesney knows how to throw a party. The country music megastarëƵs latest live album captures the heart-pounding excitement that is all part of attending a Chesney performance.

From ColoradoëƵs Red Rocks to FoxboroughëƵs Gillette Stadium and other various venues, ëƵLive in No Shoes NationëƵ features 30 tracks recorded from a decade of touring. The album title refers to ChesneyëƵs legion of dedicated fans committed to no shoes, no shirt and no problems as a daily practice.

The crowd is fired up and ready for a good time as the Tennessee native opens the festivities with a spirited version of ëƵFlora-BamaëƵ from 2014ëƵs ëƵThe Big Revival.ëƵ

ëƵSummertimeëƵ follows as the crowd steps it up another notch by accompanying Chesney as he sings, ëƵAnd itëƵs two bare feet on the dashboard/Young love and an old Ford/Cheap shades and a tattoo/And a Yoo-Hoo bottle on the floorboard.ëƵ Yes, it is indeed summertime anywhere Chesney shows up.

The double-disc set contains wonderful moments of country music notables sharing the stage with Chesney. Appropriately, Taylor Swift is the first famous artist joining Chesney for a rousing performance of ëƵBig Star.ëƵ

Other guest performances include Eric Church on ëƵWhen I See This Bar,ëƵ Mac McAnally with ëƵDown the Road,ëƵ Old Dominion serving up ëƵSave It for a Rainy Day,ëƵ David Lee Murphy joining the party with ëƵDust on the Bottle,ëƵ the Zac Brown Band helping with ëƵEverybody Wants to Go to HeavenëƵ and Grace Potter gracing Chesney with her presence on a flawless performance of ëƵYou and Tequila.ëƵ

For me, the high points come during a medley featuring Chesney covering Steve MillerëƵs ëƵThe JokerëƵ and Dave Matthews delivering Bob MarleyëƵs ëƵThree Little BirdsëƵ from a show in Atlanta. Additionally, a haunting version of the Bruce Springsteen track ëƵOne Step UpëƵ released on ChesneyëƵs 2002 ëƵNo Shoes, No Shirt, No ProblemsëƵ is my personal favorite.

Since 2008ëƵs ëƵLucky Old Sun,ëƵ Chesney has been channeling Jimmy Buffett and entertaining us with his signature style of carefree tracks detailing life as a happy beach bum with sun-drenched days full of white sand, cool ocean waves and plenty of liquid refreshments to keep the good times rolling seamlessly along.

Chesney returns to Pittsburgh for another appearance at Heinz Field on June 2. For now, ëƵLive in No Shoes NationëƵ will serve as a viable substitute until Pittsburghers can wildly welcome Chesney back for a few magical hours of music, memories and a backyard party at its very best.

Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

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