Vegas frequenter Rimes hits on 21

Leah Robinson

Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 | 8:23 a.m.

Leann Rimes has made tour stops in Las Vegas for years, but it's only now that she can both sing and gamble here.

The newly turned 21-year-old was a winner onstage Saturday, if not at the tables then delivering a strong performance at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.

"When I started out, I used to have to fill my show with Reba McIntire and Whitney Houston songs, but now I have my own hits," she said from the stage. "I finally feel accomplished. It's a good feeling."

Dressed in a black sleeveless T-shirt, midriff slightly showing, with tight blue jeans and tall black pumps, Rimes looked every bit the adult woman she has become. Thankfully, though, she didn't overdo on skin -- as have some of her contemporaries who are too eager to shed their bubblegum images.

Rimes' elegant look complemented her luminous voice -- a voice that defied convention and seemed to get stronger as the night wore on.

Promoting her latest album, a collection of greatest hits, Rimes stuck to mostly familiar material. A big highlight of the show was her now-famous version of Patsy Cline's "Crazy." She sang it full-bodied and fresh, with just the right balance of vocal power and vulnerability.

Then there was "Blue." Rimes' first hit single that catapulted her into stardom, which was sung with indifference. Rimes eyes more than once glanced around as she sang, appearing detached from the moment. ("Did I leave the iron on in my hotel room?" is what it looked like she was thinking.)

No doubt she's probably sick of singing the song. But just like Wayne Newton has his "Danke Schoen," Rimes has her "Blue," and both are stuck with them.

Overall, however, Rimes did seem to put her whole self into the performance, especially on acoustic numbers. Halfway through the show she and each member of the band sat on stools, giving the show an "unplugged" feel, as she sang "Can't Fight the Moonlight," and "But I Do Love You," both from the "Coyote Ugly" movie soundtrack.

But Rimes' powerful voice sounded just as good doing harder tunes from rock legend Janis Joplin.

"She's one of my favorite musical influences. Everything she felt, you felt along with her. I've always been touched by her music," Rimes said.

As a tribute, Rimes sang rousing renditions of "Cry Baby," and "Me and Bobby McGee." Surprisingly, her voice can sound convincingly gritty and earthy enough to capture Joplin's essence.

She ended the night with a beautiful piano accompanied rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," though this reviewer was hoping to hear the famous diva-style Christmas carol "O Holy Night," a song featured on Rimes' greatest hits album.

Both opening acts garnered good response from the mostly quiet crowd of about 3,000. Canadian Aaron Lines brought his cafe-style ballads and modern country love songs. Up-and-comers Trick Pony infused the show with a much needed rock and rowdy atmosphere that brought people out of their seats.