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Paris Las Vegas - February 25, 2011(View photo gallery here)
BB-36
Barry has changed the show around somewhat. He has a new medley in there, replacing some of the things that he was doing before. I was surprised to hear a portion of Ready To Take A Chance Again - haven't heard that in a while. I really didn't see it coming - the opening notes weren't familiar the way they were being played - I knew we were in for something different, but I couldn't put my finger on it until just before Barry started singing. The medley also had Daybreak, Somewhere in the Night and Looks Like We Made It. The transition into LLWMI seemed a little awkward to me - but then, I'm guessing it's a brand new medley. Besides, I've seen that before - when a new medley seems a little stiff - and within a couple of performances Barry has created another masterpiece.
 The Grandpa Joe segment is still in there - something seemed different about it. Barry did have a couple of new jokes, but it was more than that - don't know what, though. I Am Your Child seemed more genuine than ever before, very touching. Nature Boy also seemed more genuine - not just when grown-up Barry takes over during the song - but also as he's listening to baby Barry and mouthing the words. There was just a different look on his face and in his eyes when he mouthed the lyrics about "the greatest thing you'll ever learn." What a thrill to turn around after the show to see Paul Stanley from KISS in the audience. How awesome it would be to get to meet him. I was a member of the KISS Army before I even started following Barry. Barry hit some killer notes tonight - his voice was in great shape. Everyone has been mentioning Even Now lately - I have to agree with them - it was outstanding. This One's For You also fit into the same category.
 It was nice to see my favorite jacket again. Actually, it's not that same jacket - but the material is very similar. I kind of like this one better, I like the lapel. Barry added Brooklyn Blues into the show - somewhere in the middle, I can't remember exactly where. But that was also good to hear again. Russ changed up his drum solo during the Bandstand segment. I think David may have, as well - but I know Russ did. Also noticed a difference in Barry's solo during New York City Rhythm - or, at least, I was hearing things I've never heard before. Come to think of it, there were other times that I heard differences. For instance, I've never heard the backups before during Bandstand - I could see them singing, and maybe hear to some degree backup vocals - but this was the first I could really hear them, really distinguish their voices. Barry was silly again during the Bandstand segment - really silly. You have to smile when you see him up there playing around like that - he's cute - in spite of the fact that some people get very irritated when someone describes him as cute, he is.
 But you know, there's some truth to the old "it's all about the music" statement. I finally got around to listening to the Could It Be Magic/Mandy medley with Human Nature (I think that's the name of the group, too tired to verify that right now). That particular version of the medley started generating some of those "feelings" (No! Not THOSE feelings!) Just this feeling deep in your soul, the music just penetrates, encompasses your heart. And Barry wasn't even singing it. That's proof that in spite of his cute antics, or how good he looks, or how adorable he is, ultimately, it's the music.
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