Beyonce

While watching Beyonce's sold-out concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena last Thursday, it was impossible not to think about Diana Ross.

Both women started in the recording business fronting all-girl trios before going solo, and then venturing into the world of film. Even Beyonce's character in Dreamgirls is based on Ross.

After watching her impressive and exhilarating performance, it's easy to predict Beyonce's career will be as long and lucrative as Ross', and the multi-hyphenate performer's success and fame will likely rival that of Barbra Streisand and Madonna as well.

She's a warm, dynamic and charismatic performer whose looks and talent have helped her attract a cross-generational multi-cultural audience over the years, and her Mohegan Sun show demonstrated why.

The singer opened the night with a thrilling versions of "Crazy in Love" and "Naughty Girl" that got the crowd on its feet, and they didn't sit down for the next two hours. Amidst nine glittering costume changes, Beyonce and her talented team of dancers danced up a storm from start to finish on songs such as "Radio," "Ego" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'."

On slower songs such as "If I Were a Boy," "Ave Maria," "At Last" and "Listen" she proved she could belt out a power ballad with the best of them. Her vocals were clear and strong all night, and the ever-present smile was the mark of a true pro.

Her all-female band of about a dozen musicians proved well up to the task of accompanying the singer as well as providing an important example of female empowerment.

One of the more spell-binding parts of the concert was when Beyonce rose up on a harness from the stage in a 30-foot-long golden skirt, before slowly flying and somersaulting her way above the crowd to a smaller stage on the other side of the arena.

Among the highlights of the small stage were the infectious sing-along, "Irreplaceable" and a medley of Destiny's Childhits.

The only negative part of the show was that it was significantly louder than it needed to be - especially the bass, which frequently overpowered songs such as "Diva," "Hello" and "Bootylicious." Sometimes the audience grimaced and winced at the sound level and its impact.

She ended the night with a one-two punch of her mega-hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and the anthemic "Halo," which had her walking into the audience to shake hands with fans.

All in all, though, it was a lavish and truly first-class production, that was as glitzy and entertaining as a Tina Turner concert. High praise indeed!

Finally, kudos must be extended to the excellent Mohegan Sun facility. It was this reviewer's first trip to the arena, which is about half the size of the TD Garden and an excellent place to see a concert. With ample free parking and plenty of restaurants, stores (and gambling) to occupy your time before or after a show, it's well worth the 90-minute travel time from the Boston area.