Another great show tonight. The signs on the doors said they were filming it for something, and I thought I could see a
cameraman off to the side of the stage. Not knowing whether the audience could be seen in any of the shots, I
didn't take any photos - just snapped about 4 real quick ones and put the camera up. Kind of mixed feelings
about that - I really do go back and relive the shows by looking at the photos. But it was also really nice
to just watch him, the backups, the stage lighting, and everything else with my own eyes.
After sitting further back a couple of weeks ago, I'm really starting to notice the lighting effects in
conjunction with the performance (I'm multitasking!). It's just so impressive.
You could tell from Barry's performance that something was going on. He gets so much more intense when the
show is being filmed for some reason. He's putting his all into it, but it's not the same as when he does
it for the fans. At the convention shows he's pouring it all out, but he's relaxed - at things like this,
he appears to be trying so hard he's almost tense. Don't get me wrong - it was a fantastic show and a
fantastic performance - I heard a lot of civilians raving about it afterward, some of them calling their
friends and telling them "it was the best show I've ever seen". I can just see a difference - probably just
because I've seen the show so many times now. This is insane (yes, I know it is - feel free to criticize -
I've been there, done that, and wore that darn T-shirt out), but I think I'm going to hit my 90th show sometime
this week. After you see anything 90 times you're going to start noticing differences in mannerisms and such.
I should also note that by the middle of the show, the tension seemed to be gone. It was the normal Barry.
But enough of all that - on to the show.
Opening was standard, although again he seemed to be "living" It's a Miracle - and Somewhere in the Night was extra sexy.
At the end of Jump Shout Boogie, when he shakes it, he turned around to face the audience, and shook it at
his backups. That seemed to catch them by surprise. I thought Keely was going to fall off the piano, she was
laughing so hard.
Barry sang I Am Your Child again - a good strong performance, but not as good as last night. He mentioned that
he was a little hoarse, then cut his eyes over toward the audience and said "There's no lip-synching in this show."
In place of WINE, he sang Even Now. This one was excellent, especially the ending. It seemed like he held that
note toward the end forever. He got a standing ovation for that one.
He "played" with Can't Smile again tonight. He really appeared to be having fun with it. And most of the
audience seemed to catch it tonight.
They all seemed to be having a great time with the William Tell Overture. A few times it looked as if a couple
of the backups were going to start laughing in the middle of the song. Barry held it together, but his eyes
were a dead give-away. I just love the way they sparkle when he's amused at something.
Tonight Barry seemed to be working the crowd during You've Lost That Loving Feeling. The way he performs that
song is sexy and he knows it - he knows exactly what to do to get a reaction out of the crowd. The master
showman at his finest.
Mandy/Could It Be Magic was again extraordinarily passionate. I'm not sure if he was wearing a new jacket
tonight or not. At first it appeared to be the same blue one that he frequently wears during that spot of
the show. But when he walked closer, it looked different - might have been brushed satin - but was a beautiful
shade of royal blue. Then when he walked to the other side of the stage, it was purple!
