Pop Music Reviews : Flashy McEntire Strays Far From Solid Country Roots

Reba McEntire could have it all. She’s a giant on the country-pop circuit, with an army of adoring fans and a powerful voice ready to blow the doors off any hall.

But abandoning her country roots for crowd-pleasing pop has kept McEntire from becoming both popular and artistically important. A disheartening reminder of how far she’s strayed from her potential came again Thursday in her first of three nights at the Universal Amphitheatre.

The scope of the Oklahoma singer’s gift came through even amid the night’s flashy production numbers (she arrived on stage in a taxi). McEntire did perform a medley of her earlier country hits, which allowed her to show scenes from her many videos on the giant screens beside her. Later, a campy version of Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” led to clips from her film career.

These and other nods to her own image often turned the night into the greatest celebration of self this side of Michael Jackson. Yet none of it seemed designed as ego gratification, just more action on McEntire’s credo: Give the people what they want--which explains the big band, the 10 dancers, the fireworks, the 13 costume changes, the stage resembling an offshore oil rig.

But it’s all a sideshow to that voice, which would be better served with material of true emotional depth.

* Reba McEntire concludes her three-night stand tonight at 8:15, at the Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, (818) 980-9421, sold out; and performs Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion, 2555 Devore Road, Devore, (909) 886-8742, $22.50 lawn seats are still available.