The late show was more the standard set list. He opened with It's a Miracle followed by
the Daybreak medley. Then the Mandy/Could It Be Magic medley. The next song was Tryin'
To Get the Feeling Again and it was a very strong performance. Actually, every time I've
seen him perform that one in the last several months, it's been super strong - that must
be one of his favorites right now.
On the Dew Drop side he asked if anyone had requuests - several people yelled out See the Show Again very clearly. But he acted as if he couldn't hear them and then someone else
said All the Time. I think he wanted to perform that one anyway. This one was also a very emotional performance. And it was very emotional the last time I saw him do it, as well.
This time Monica and Kye were back at the piano for the CSWY segment.
Bandstand Boogie was next, along with the standard 50's set. Love Is A Many Splendid Thing was again very passionate, as was Unchained Melody.
We got the abbreviated Mayflower medley. Barry seemed to be having extra fun during They Dance and Hot Stuff. As they finished the medley, he yelled "Don't stop me now" and we knew what was coming. Another rocking rendition of Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed. Part of me was ecstatic - another part of me was thinking "Don't do this and hurt yourself worse,
Barry!" But I loved it - and so did the rest of the audience. I just hope he didn't aggravate his condition, because we would understand if he didn't do all of those signature moves over the next couple of weeks. We would still love him if the show were a little tamer! The non-fans in the audience don't know about them, and the rest of us care more about him than about the mechanics of the show.
He did change the song on the Rock Bottom side - he sang Best Seat in the House for us. It made for another special moment during the convention.
He closed with I Write the Songs, Copacabana, and It's a Miracle. When Barry was introducing the band toward the end, he somehow skipped Ian. When he realized it, he started dancing across the stage singing "Ian on bass" over and over to the tune of Copa.
As I said, there was something special in the air this year, starting on Friday night.
I just don't remember it feeling this way last year. The convention shows were outstanding
last year, and I remember a lot of energy from the fans. But not like this. I've never
seen so much support being directed toward Barry - and this started *before* the press
release was read to us. It wasn't just huge fans having a wild and fun time - it was
support and appreciation, and it seemed to flow both ways - not only from us to Barry,
but from him to us as well. I hope he can carry that memory with him through his surgery
and recovery period.
