Critics applaud Brooks’ comeback

No one minded that he was a tad rusty from sitting out nine years. Certainly not the critics, who have given Garth Brooks rave reviews after his Las Vegas comeback began this past weekend at Wynn Las Vegas.

Critic Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times said Brooks gave fans "more than they could dream of, down to taking requests -- for his own and others' songs -- and openly exploring the genesis of those he did write, jumping with apparent spontaneity wherever the moment takes him."

USA Today's Brian Mansfield called Brooks' weekend debut "charmingly rough and informal, sold almost solely on the strength of the material and Brooks' personality." He added, "One of (Brooks) great strengths is that he's every bit as compelling in an intimate setting as he is on the big stage."

The Review-Journal's Mike Weatherford gave the show an A-minus, describing it as "audacious and revealingly pure."

Lewis added, "There's real genius at work on a couple of fronts ... not the least of which is how utterly anti-Vegas it is. It's got not an ounce of glitz, and that's the selling point."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

For the record: Brooks' first song out of the chute Friday was Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried." ... For those looking for information on Brooks' longtime charity, Brooks fanatic Joanne Downey supplied the address: Teammates for Kids, 4251 Kipling St., Suite 370, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. For more information, check her Web site at www.lasvegas celebrityservices.com.

SIGHTINGS

Spotted at Sunday's taping at Aria (CityCenter) of Dick Clark's "Rockin' New Years" show: the Black Eyed Peas, Robin Thicke, Keri Hilson and Marie Osmond. ... Lisa Marie Presley, at Wasted Space (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday. She and mother Priscilla will be attending the opening of Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" show Wednesday (7:30 p.m.). ... Criss Angel, presenting KLUC-FM (98.5) toy drive organizers with a $10,000 check on Sunday. Donny Osmond dropped off bikes and toys on Friday. The 11th annual drive, put together by Chet Buchanan and The Morning Zoo, ends at 10 a.m. Drops can be made until then at the site, outside the NV Energy corporate offices on West Sahara. It's also the end of Buchanan's annual 12-day stay in a tent atop a 30-foot high scaffolding. ... Marie Osmond, attending Brooks' Sunday show with her producer, Chip Lightman, and friends. ... Holly Madison and gal pals, partying at Beso at CityCenter on Saturday night. On her Twitter feed she tweeted: "surrounded by beauty ... just missing my vampire!" I asked her to confirm the romance rumors involving rocker Benji Madden. She declined, saying, "I want to try and have a private relationship next time around. I am very happy." ... One of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses, Kalika Moquin, a nightclub marketing executive with The Light Group, was spotted at a Burbank, Calif., karaoke bar last week, according to the celebrity Web site, TMZ.com. She was with Las Vegas club circuit regular Dennis Haskins, who played principal Richard Belding in the teen sitcom "Saved By the Bell." ... Rob Lowe, spotted with Tom Barrack from Colony Capital, the owners of Las Vegas Hilton and Neverland Ranch.