Manilow - The Absolute Best - Paris Las Vegas

The Paris Music & Passion Ultimate Manilow From Boston to Denver... Backups/Band Platinums Back Home

Paris Las Vegas - September 26, 2010

BB-29

Barry opened the show with a huge grin on his face. I thought his voice sounded strong, but after the opening number he made a comment that he thought he was coming down with bronchitis - and then he crossed his fingers, saying that he hoped he could hit the high notes. But he sounded great to me - there were very few obvious signs that he might be having trouble. But I do hope he isn't getting bronchitis. Sending positive vibes his way...

And maybe Barry was using the power of positive thinking on himself with his performance of Everything's Gonna Be Alright - I think it was even more upbeat and positive than it usually is. Barry frequently says that he's going to make us feel better. He changed the wording a little at this show. I can't remember it exactly - but it was something like, "I'm going to make you feel really good!" - and it was said with an impish expression on his face. And his eyes were sparkling like diamonds! Made me think he had something up his sleeve.

Somewhere in the Night was a love song again - especially the last half of the song (until the last chorus). Barry sang it tenderly - even sweetly. Just gave me goosebumps.

A-HA! The lighting during Weekend in New England - I was right both times. The song starts with a beautiful amber color - which was even more beautiful tonight, by the way... And ends with the royal purple - that starts when the crashing waves above Barry's head appear. Barry's performance was even more beautiful than the lighting. A mix of soft and strong - and looking into the audience, stopping our hearts with that heavy sigh at the end. The sigh is a nice touch - I've loved it since Barry first started doing it. But when he looks out at the audience, and if you happen to be anywhere near where he's looking - hold on - it will knock your socks off.

I don't mention Can't Smile Without You often, but Barry seemed to put something extra into the performance tonight. He just seemed to have a lot more energy and seemed to put much more emphasis on the lyrics.

It was a non-fan audience again - but they were just as appreciative as the two previous nights - just not as demonstrative as Manilow fans can be. Barry was certainly hit. And I heard the same thing all over Vegas. I used my Manilow debit card frequently around town - almost every time I did, the cashier would say, "Oh, wow - have you seen his show - it's a great show!"

The OMG moment of the night was the rock song. The music was a little different as they went into that section of the show - they weren't playing a song in particular, just some upbeat music for a few bars - I was trying to figure out what was going on. But as Barry walked to the back of the stage to get a new jacket (in the dark, I might add, I guess so we couldn't see), the familiar opening notes of Some Kind of Friend started. I was totally surprised. I excitedly looked around at the other fans, and no one seemed to be reacting. But it didn't take them long to come alive. What a thrill to get to see Barry perform that song! Come to think of it, what a thrill to get 3 different rock songs this week! Barry was wearing the black jacket that has leather sleeves. And, as Barry approached the last verse, he slipped his hand into his pocket, searching for something (get your mind out of the gutter - I have too much experience with Manilow fans - I know what you're thinking).

Then he wheeled around, turning his back to us so we couldn't see what he was doing. (get your mind out of the gutter!)

I already had a pretty good idea from the moment his hand went into his pocket. (this just keeps getting worse - but I can't figure out any other way to describe it - LOL!)

He was putting on sunglasses! (See, I told you to get your mind out of the gutter!)

I looked over at the backups - they all had big smiles on their faces - it kind of looked like he surprised them, as well. Then Barry wheeled back around to face us. Talk about an awesome look!! At the end of the song, I looked up and saw that David (the percussionist) honored Barry's performance with a rock salute! See, I told you Barry can rock!

Hallejuah! It's a miracle - I'm cured! Or at least I was for a few moments. My knee has really been giving me trouble for the last few months - the getting up and down at a show is painful. But when Barry finished Some Kind of Friend, I gave no thought to that - I bounced right up for that ovation. But after the applause died down (and the adrenaline wore off)...ouch! He's worth it, though!

Oh! Speaking of getting up... An elderly lady was sitting in the front row. I saw her when she came in with her son - she was in a wheelchair - she was able to get out of the chair, but needed a cane. And I thought, "uh-oh" - Barry is going to ask everyone to get up during CSWY, she won't be able to, and he won't realize she can't. Well, she proved me wrong! She stood up multiple times, by herself, without her son's assistance. Is Barry good, or what?

Both songs from the Greatest Love Songs segment were outstanding tonight. During Our Love Is Here to Stay, as Barry was waving toward the paintings to make them magically change, he said something off-mic. Reading his lips, I'm almost positive the last word was "beautiful" - just not entirely sure if he was referring to the paintings or the music or something else. At any rate, his performance was "beautiful". The Love Story theme was great, too. Barry's eyes were really sparkling during this song.

When Kye brought out Barry's new jacket, Barry said, "I think my voice got better." Kye and Barry both made comments about the love and energy from the audience curing him.

Again, the New York City Rhythm and sock hop segments impress me with their energy. The choreography is awesome.

The entire Grandpa segment was great tonight. Both I Am Your Child and Nature Boy seemed a little more poignant - especially the latter. It was just the tone of Barry's voice as he sang the last lines of the song. And after finishing with the line about "love and be loved in return", Barry said "A great lesson for the future." I've never heard him use those words before.

The piano was plugged in tonight, so Barry went back to his usual way of performing This One's For You. He still connected just fine with the audience, though. He certainly connected with me. He seems so sincere as he's singing that song.

There are no words for Even Now. I died and went to heaven. Killer ending is an understatement. Just no words...

Mandy was different tonight - Barry seemed to be totally lost in the song - not necessarily the performance of the song, though. What I mean is that he seemed a million miles away, yet it all fit in with the song. I'm not wanting to say that he was lost in the lyrics - because I have no clue what he's really thinking. It was just different - and you might even view it as genuine. In terms of the performance, it worked - it was perfect. I've just never seen him do the song that way before.

Is it just my vision, or is it kind of hard to see Barry's eyes through the lighting in Mandy and I Write the Songs? Overall, the blue glow is gorgeous (although Mandy starts off with the amber glow) - but at all 3 shows this week I was having a hard time focusing on his face through the lighting (focusing with my own eyes, not the camera). It might just be me and my eyes - I think my PRK is starting to wear off after 10 years. Oh, well - what can I say? A clear view of his eyes and smile at all times is mandatory - Manilow fans don't deal well with being deprived of Barry's awesomeness...

Copa also impresses me now - and it didn't at first. It's the part after Barry reappears wearing his tux that is so full of life. I think the bright colors and costumes have something to do with it. But I also think it's Barry - he always looks like he's having the time of his life during that segment. Maybe the fact that we (obviously!) never get tired of the way he looks in that tux is what spurs him on! At this show he said something as he came back up through the trap door - I didn't catch it. He frequently says, "Looking good!" - but he said something else at this show - I just couldn't hear him or read his lips this time.

Barry closed the show with more big waves to the audience (there were a lot of blown kisses tonight, too!). Then at one point, he dropped his hand down and did a little wave, almost like it was directed at a specific area of the audience. And it looked like he was laughing as the curtain went down. It was a great end to a great show. Just the dose of Manilow that I needed to get back on track.

The Paris Music & Passion Ultimate Manilow From Boston to Denver... Backups/Band Platinums Back Home