Well, we thought Barry might put on a special show to coincide with the UK weekend - he didn't disappoint. This was the best show I've seen since the Nov 30-Dec 1 pair last year.
I'll be upfront in saying that even though I took more photos at this show than I normally do, I don't have more excellent photos. I was just too excited - no other excuse!
Barry opened the show the way he typically does - no, he opened with the same songs - there was nothing "typical" about anything in this show. He flashed us with the lining of his jacket during It's a Miracle. Somewhere in the Night was, uhm, very expressive - first medley of the night and he had already set the mood! This One's For You was heartfelt. The Old Songs snippet was even better than usual, if that's possible.
Barry had ear monitor problems and had to make a change early on in the show. And then he had to go back to get a drink of water. He made a cute comment to the band to "play your solos" while he was doing that - and then he turned around and gave the audience the cutest grin.
There was no 40's segment. Instead, Barry sang Ready To Take A Chance Again for the dance girl segment. I had thought I might find it more romantic in the Vegas setting than in the big arena - and I was right. It really was romantic. Of course, it still doesn't touch Moonlight Serenade - but it was definitely romantic. When he finished the song, Barry turned to us and said, "That was kind of romantic, right?" He turned to walk to the piano, but then turned back to us and said, "That was just foreplay!" And gave us another adorable grin.
Then Barry sang something that he only sings when the Brits are in town - it's one of my favorite songs - I was thrilled when I heard the opening notes. He did Sweet Heaven. Keely, Monica and Melanie each came out in turn to stroll across the stage with Barry as he sang the song, then all 3 joined him at the end of the song. (photos too blurry - too excited - sorry!)
Barry outdid himself with Looks Like We Made It - REALLY outdid himself. Sorry, no photos from that, either - I just wanted to enjoy it. Actually, I'm surprised I was capable of taking any more photos for the rest of the show after that song! OH, those moves!
Weekend in New England was very emotional - Barry put everything he had into it - I mean, everything. So much so, that it sounded like he strained his voice a little with the song, because he was a tad bit raspy after that. Surprisingly, only a few of us stood up to give him an ovation - well, some of us have excellent taste, anyway! I noticed that Barry changed up the way he played the opening of the song on the piano - very nice.
We got New York City Rhythm, I Made It Through the Rain and Can't Smile Without You - they all seemed extra special tonight.
Instead of doing the funny cigarette bit, Barry sang The Best of Me on the left side stage. Another one of my favorites - somehow I keep managing to be on the opposite side of the theater when he does that song - darn it! It was so beautiful. When he was introducing the song, he mentioned that the UK folks and people from all over the world were at the show. He mentioned that the UK thinks he's a god - which got a big laugh from the audience, and from him, too. And then he said, "They think I'm sexy and handsome." Barry, you ARE sexy and handsome - a person doesn't have to be British to notice that! Then he said he was dedicating the song to everyone in the audience, but especially to the UK fans.
Barry came back to center stage to do the 60's segment, but I guess because of changing the flow of the show, he wasn't able to get his Nehru jacket on in time - so he had to do the segment with no jacket. That's okay - he looks great in just that vest.
Somewhere in there (sorry, I don't remember the exact order of the songs), Barry sang That's Life. It was a great rendition of it. Barry put his all into that song, too.
They did the shortened version of the Mayflower segment again tonight - They Dance, and then Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Not sure what happened, but for some reason Kye had to run offstage between songs - he made it back in time to do his part, but just barely. Everyone on stage seemed to be fighting back the giggles when that happened.
And I normally don't take photos of this (I didn't say I don't enjoy it, I just said I don't take photos of it!), but in honor of the UK Bash, I took 3 shots of one of your favorite bits of choreography.
Still no white jacket for Mandy/CIBM, but that's okay. I really do like this jacket and vest set that he's wearing. Something was wrong with the projection device (or something) - there was no video of the Midnight Special for the opening of Mandy - it was just a black screen, although we could hear the sound.
Sometimes during I Write the Songs Barry seems kind of pensive - but tonight he seemed very happy. Actually, he seemed happy throughout the entire show.
Barry took an extra long time tonight leaving the stage - he didn't seem to want to go. The vision of him standing in the smoke looking back at us is one of those memories that will hang on forever.
