The word for last night's show is - WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every song was a WOW! Every single one of them!!!
And I'm dying to jump ahead to my favorite song of the night... But, I won't...
I guess the stage was set from the minute Barry walked out. Actually, he seemed to walk out a little late - but I think that just caused the fervor to build more. The audience was deafening as Barry finished the first song. The only other time I've heard an audience this loud is when it was a fan club show. But this was a different atmosphere - there was a different feeling to this audience. Barry was loving it.
As Barry introduced Everything's Gonna Be Alright, he said, "I wrote this one - just for you!" Most of the audience remained standing throughout the song. The people directly behind me sat back down, though - so I felt like I needed to sit down, too (bummer). I really couldn't see much - but I could hear it. And occasionally I could see Barry with a big grin on his face. So, I still got most of the impact of the song. In retrospect, though, for once I wish I had gone ahead and stood even if the people behind me weren't.
Barry did get everyone to stand for Can't Smile Without You. And the audience sang so loudly, that Barry put down the mic and just let them sing. After the song was over he made a comment about feeling like he was at a karaoke bar.
There were no imperfections in Weekend in New England at this show. (there were no imperfections at this show, period!) Wow! It was awesome! Barry's voice was strong and clear. He started the song so softly - made me just want to sigh while I listening to him. And he finished VERY powerfully - I surprised he had anything left for the rest of the show (but he did!). Whoever yelled out the night before must have come back, because it sounded like the same people - only louder. Barry raised his eyebrows and said his "still got it" comment with a big smile. He got a standing ovation again - the audience roared. He deserved it.
Okay, wait - I was wrong. There was ONE imperfection. Barry's mic went out - I think it was during Everything's Gonna Be Alright. But a guy from backstage came running out immediately with a new mic. Barry even commented on how quickly the guy got out there with the replacement!
Barry sang Looks Like We Made It Again. I didn't realize he could sing that song tenderly. Honestly. I guess I saw him do the sexed-up version of that song so many times at the Hilton, I forgot he could perform it any other way. I just LOVE the way his voice was so gentle for that first verse. Oh, and he's changed the lyrics - instead of singing "looking just the same as you did last time I touched you" he says "looking just the same as you did last time I saw you". He got a little sexy at the end - lots of squeals from the audience. As for the lyrics... "Left each other on the way to another love..." Fat chance!
New York City Rhythm has as much life as always. I've always liked the song - but I'm really loving what he's doing now. And it's not just the lights and the costumes and the choreography and the participation by the band members - all of that is fantastic. The entire stage comes alive. The solos by the the two Ron's and Joey are awesome - really fantastic. But the music... Barry's vocals... I love the emphasis he's placing on the song. I wish they would do a CD of songs from the show like they did for Music & Passion - recordings from the actual show (the M&P version of It's a Miracle is my favorite version of that song). And if they ever did, they need to put NYCR on the CD.
Has anyone else ever noticed during the portion of NYCR where Barry and the guys are chasing each other around the piano - the backups are standing back there making making circular motions with their arms at the same time? As if they're pushing the guys along? It's cute!
Oh, another song Barry sang tenderly was Our Love Is Here to Stay. Very tenderly - had to take time for another sigh or two. And the way he looked out at the audience and then would get a smile on his face as he sang. Definitely a high point of the show. (among many!)
Are we there yet?? Can I talk about my favorite song?? Barry sang Keep Each Other Warm - AWESOME!!! I've so been wanting to hear that!!! And the performance was fantastic. Barry opened it by saying it was a song about commitment to whatever is important to you. His performance was so emotional. And the backups sounded fabulous on it. But Barry's interpretation of the lyrics - his gestures, his intonations - the tenderness in his voice. I didn't sigh for this song - I would have had to have been breathing in order to heave a sigh - and I wasn't! No words to describe how wonderful that was. Oh, and at the end, he grabbed the mic stand and leaned forward - not like he does with his rock songs. Actually, I've never ever seen him strike a pose like that on the stage. He grabbed the mic stand with his right hand, leaned his chest into it and held on - almost like he was trying to extend himself into the audience. I wish I had taken a photo, but I was too into the song. Several people around me were taking photos of that - I hope someone posts that one publicly. Again, the performance almost looked like it was for the benefit of someone right there with him. It was very personal. And when he sings "Reach out your hand, reach out for me..." - don't you just want to do it?! Oooh, and when he sang the line "Well, you talk about toleration...well, I know the score. If you ever want liberation, there's the door" - oh, oh, oh... The way he did it... The look in his eyes, the gestures, the tone in his voice... I could write an entire novel about that one song alone!
And if there ever were a show CD, I would want Keep Each Other Warm on it. I want a recording of that song with ALL the lyrics. If there's a recording out there already, I haven't been able to find it. I love, love, love this song... That's my idea of a love song. Or even as Barry said, a commitment song. One and the same, though, really - because if you have a desire to commit to something, there's an aspect of love there, right?
Okay, what is it with I Am Your Child? Am I going to have to start bringing a box of Kleenex to the show with me just for this song? The effect on me was worse at this show than it was the night before! Definitely tears this time - having to bite my lower lip. Beautiful performance. Barry's voice was crystal clear - vocally, that's probably one of the best renditions I've ever heard. There was nothing forced - it wasn't like a performance at all. It was really like it was just flowing from his heart. Nature Boy was the same way - not at all like a performance. Totally heartfelt.
This One's For You was poignant tonight. It was very emotional. Barry sang it as if he meant every word, as if he really were singing to someone. One time I saw him perform the song and his eyes were full of tears, and there were times his voice broke from emotion. That's not how he performed the song this time. This was more like he was actually talking to someone who was right there with him rather than reminiscing as he was singing. Barry also sang this one somewhat tenderly. I like tender. :-)
So Keep Each Other Warm was my favorite song of the night, for many reasons. But Even Now was again the best performance of the night. Barry totally outdid himself. As good as the performance from the previous night was, it can't hold a candle to what he did at this show. And at the end, that killer long note - many times he sings that with an arm extended skyward, as if he's reaching for the note. Not at this show, though - this time he stretched his arm toward the audience, as if he were reaching for us. Barry was at least partially successful with that - he managed to grab my heart while he was reaching out.
Barry was even sillier during the sock hop segment tonight. More shoulder shaking with the girls. More "stupid dances". LOL! Did I mention the red suit is back?
And Mandy. WOW! I haven't seen him perform Mandy like that in ages! The "Oh, Mandy" that starts the last chorus before Barry moves into Could It Be Magic was mind blowing. Two little words - but it was the way he said those two little words. Blew me away.
Barry didn't stop during I Write the Songs to tell the audience how much he had enjoyed the show - he hesitated for just a moment, then continued on with the entire song. That was a change. Not sure if he had that planned all along, or it was just spur of the moment. But I enjoyed hearing the song performed all the way through without interruption.
The audience sang even more loudly to Copa than they did CSWY. Oh, before I forget - the backups have their own little skit going on in the background while Barry is doing Copa. As Barry sings, "she lost her love" - Keely is back there bursting into tears, with the other backups trying to console her. It's so funny! I intended to get a shot of it, but I missed it. Too busy laughing...
I really, really like what Barry and crew are doing with this song now. It's so happy! They look happy, the audience looks happy. When this show first started, I didn't get that feeling from it at all. I don't know if it just took getting used to, or if something else has changed. But it's fun. Very difficult to walk out of the show and not feel upbeat. Although, we'll see how well it can hold me tonight - it's always difficult for me when I have no idea when I'm coming back - and right now I have no future shows scheduled and don't really see a potential of having any scheduled, at least not as far as the shows we know about right now. (not to mention not knowing when I'm going to get back to see the Secret Garden, either - those cats have become almost as big a part of my life as my own pets) So, I think it's going to be a little hard tonight. We'll see if Barry and crew can override that feeling. I know they have the potential... :-)
And if there's any doubt Barry knows he looks good in that tux, take a look at this photo (if you're reading the version of the review with photos). Ha! Yes, Barry - you look fantastic in a tux. It won't matter if you're 212, stooped over, and balding - all you're going to have to do is shuffle out onto the stage in a tux - the fanfare will start, you'll stand up tall with your arms outstretched, flashing that adorable grin, blue eyes sparkling like diamonds - you'll sing "Come into my arms" - and all of our pacemakers will blow a circuit! Of course, then you wouldn't have an audience and that would be a bummer. But we'll die happy and smitten!
I'm sitting in 4th row for the last show. Not quite as good for looking into those beautiful blue eyes - but not awful, either. I'm sure I'll have a different perspective on the lighting. Can't wait to see how wonderful Barry will be tonight.
