Garth Brooks Dazzles in First of 300 Las Vegas Shows

We didn't conduct an official survey, but we think it's a safe bet that Garth Brooks was the happiest man on earth this past weekend. If not, the grin perma-glued to his face fooled everyone witness to his un-retirement.

Garth officially began what he's calling the "second half" of his meteoric career Dec. 11 -- the opening night of his five-year run at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas.

In a press conference prior to the show, the country superstar requested that what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas. He'd like for the folks attending the last show of the run (that would be No. 300 in 2014) to be as surprised by his performance as those who attended the first weekend. That's not only a perhaps unrealistic expectation, but, as it turns out, a completely unnecessary one. That's because it's clear after seeing both the early and the late shows on Dec. 12 that Garth's concert will be a unique performance every time, with magic possible at any turn.

To be sure, unless he decides to make a radical change, the format will stay the same: Garth, an acoustic guitar and a stool that he never uses other than as a place keeper for his bottle of water and as a makeshift guitar stand. Sometimes he may be joined by his band or by a buddy like Steve Wariner or his wife, Trisha Yearwood (as he was for both shows on Dec. 12 for two of her songs). His show is, as he described it to The Boot, a combination of "Songwriter 101 ... Growing Up 101 ... Influences 101." But other than that, all bets are off. The audience is as much a part of the show as Garth and his endearing and funny interaction with the fans determines a great deal of the performance's direction.

The illustrious entertainer -- who according to Encore signage and ticket stubs is now going solely by Garth professionally -- is a first-class raconteur, whose stories about his childhood and his career are so entertaining that they alone are worth the $125 price of admission. Almost.

Throw in a set list that changes every night -- he didn't repeat the same anecdote in either of Saturday's shows and probably switched out 15 of the more than 30 songs performed in part or entirety from one show to the next -- and you've got an event that demands repeat visits.

Some reviewers called the show "a work in progress," which is a fair assessment, but Garth is such a nimble and entertaining story teller that the lack of a script and his ability to improvise works in his favor. Even those well-versed in Garth-lore are sure to discover new facets about the man and how he creates his music.

One opening weekend gambit is sure to change. Some of Saturday's shows' greatest moments came when Garth, explaining that he'd never learned how to play a requested song on guitar, sang a stunningly clear and pitch perfect version a capella whether it was 'Shameless' or 'The Change.' By Show 100 or so, it will be a little disingenuous to sing 'Shameless' sans guitar claiming he still hasn't figured out the chords. Garth is still, understandably, finding his sea legs, but it was astonishing to hear his voice grow stronger and more powerful as the performances went on, as he learned to trust its potency again. For all his detractors who found his arena shows too glitzy, this is the show for you. There is no hiding place for him -- no backing singers, no band, no special effects. The format he has chosen is a brave one. It shows him warts and all, but also puts to rest any doubt that he was ever more sizzle than steak.

As much as the concert is about seeing the man behind the music, it is also about his endless quest to connect with his fans. There are few artists, if any -- Bruce Springsteen is the only one who comes to mind -- who are so fully and totally committed to communicating with their audience. Garth is talking with the audience, not to the audience. There was one moment so intimate on Saturday night when Garth took off the head set and sung 'If Tomorrow Never Comes,' unamplified to a couple, that it felt almost voyeuristic to be watching.

The question remains as Garth's run continues, how will the show play? For Vegas visitors looking for spectacle, they won't find it here. But for lovers of music from the '60s on up -- given Garth's ability to perform as a human jukebox, his show provides a great outlet not just for fans of his music, but for all music.

If nothing else, it's a delight to have one of the world's greatest entertainers back where he belongs -- on stage. Toward the end of Saturday's first show, an ecstatic Garth claimed, "None of you are as excited as I am to be here." Based on the enthusiastic, often fervent response from the audience all night, that was a wager he definitely lost on an otherwise sure bet of a show.