Kenny Chesney treats his first-ever live album as a celebration, collecting 29 highlights recorded at some point over the 2010s. By casting such a wide net,
Chesney has plenty of room for covers and cameos in addition to the hits, but it's also telling that
Live in No Shoes Nation concentrates on all the music he's made following the release of 2001's
Greatest Hits. Starting with 2001's
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, he's hit his sunny stride, specializing in mellow beach tunes, slightly sad ballads, drinking tunes, and arena anthems, all of which are featured on this double-disc set. If the crowd noise sometimes seems a bit heavy-handed, the roar underscores how
Chesney entertains on a mass scale, and that's perhaps the one revelation of the record: based on this, calling his fan base a nation isn't much of an exaggeration. While
Live in No Shoes Nation is quite slick in both its performance and production, part of its charm is that it's such a professional affair.
Chesney may possess an unassuming voice and his songs, even the rocking ones, are laid-back, but he knows how to pump up a crowd. Maybe that's a reflection of their affection, maybe it's a testament to his craft, but what's evident from
Live in No Shoes Nation is that
Chesney has this connection with his fans, and it's also clear that he's developed a deep catalog in the 21st century. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
