Wow! Our old Barry is back! There's such a difference in what we're seeing now.
He really has a bounce in his step now - oh, heck - he's just plain bouncy! From
the audience perspective, he seems to be feeling great, extremely happy, and seems
to love being up there performing for us.
This was my one and only front row this trip, actually the last front row I have at
all, so I was more interested in just savoring the moment rather than trying to
remember details. That will probably make for a shorter review.
There was a change to the 60's medley tonight and now I absolutely love it. I was
guessing that it was the talking throughout the medley that was bothering me. That's
the piece that was missing tonight and, at least to me, it seems to work much better
this way. I think I know what he was trying to convey with the talking bits, but it
just seemed to take something away from the music. I'm not sure if it was because it
was kind of a downer, or because it just interrupted the flow of the music. Whatever,
I love what he's doing now.
There was one moment during Can't Take My Eyes Off You that knocked all the girls for
a loop. Civilians and new fans may not know what I'm talking about - but you veterans know
that little move he does when he stretches his arms toward the audience and wiggles
his fingers with a "come hither" motion? I have no idea *why* that move is so sexy,
but it is! LOL
I love the new set. The lighting is beautiful. The polka dot backdrop during the 60's
segment is a really nice visual effect - when you're sitting toward the center of the
audience I noticed something like an enhanced 3D effect - can't describe it better
than that. It just really stood out. I like the cubes that they bring out during
that segment, too. And, of course, especially like it when Barry sits on one during
Can't Take My Eyes Off You.
There's another backdrop, I think it's during I Write the Songs (but I'm not sure),
where it also creates an enhanced 3D effect. It's somewhat noticeable live, but very
noticeable in photographs. Looks great.
Tonight Barry moved Are You Lonesome Tonight from the Rock Bottom side to the center
of the stage, where he sits on a stool to sing it. I thought that worked really
well - it balances out what's happening between the two side stage sections, and also
gives the bulk of the audience a better view of him while he's singing. I'm really
enjoying hearing him sing that song now, but I also would love to see Can't Help
Falling in Love be the Elvis tribute song. Yes, I *am* biased!
I love that song! LOL
Looks Like We Made It has always been one of Barry's classic "sexy" songs - even
more so, I think, since he changed the arrangement to give it more of a groove.
He can now add You've Lost That Loving Feeling to the list of songs in that category.
His arrangement is fantastic, and his performance even more so.
Last night and tonight, too, instead of singing "We fell in love" at the end of Copa,
he sang "Don't fall in love". Gee, Barry - don't spoil our fun - we *want* to fall
in love with you! :-)
I still wonder if we'll eventually see more of the 60's songs. Can't Help Falling in
Love. Cherish/Windy. When I Fall in Love. This Guy's In Love With You. It's been
a long time since I've found a CD where I love every track. There's nothing I dislike. And I would love to hear them live.
I would also love to hear Never My Love/I Swear live - the bonus track is fantastic,
the way it builds as it goes into I Swear. Somehow I doubt I'll ever get to hear him
do that one live. I remember that he tried to do it once in Dallas and he got very
emotional. But it's beautiful, and this new version is even better than the one I
heard in Dallas several years ago.
Maybe I just didn't notice this last night, but it seemed to me that he's changed the
ending of Moonlight Serenade. It's a little more dramatic, but I think it's a fitting
finale for the song.
Barry did a lot more dancing, a lot more extra little steps, extra little bounces,
some serious, some just playing around. He certainly looks like he feels good.
I listened even more closely to Yesterday at this show. There are lot of subtle
things going on in that song. It makes me wonder why it's only included as a bonus
track on the UK version.
Unchained Melody was excellent, more than excellent. He was so into the song that
when it finished he couldn't remember what was supposed to come next for a moment or
two.
I'm amazed that they can follow the new format of the show so well without mistakes.
I know they rehearse a great deal, but after two years of doing certain parts at a
certain place in the show, it seems that it would be difficult to make such a big
change. But they're very polished.
