Paris Las Vegas - December 9, 2011

BB-31



Well, this evening started off on an interesting (non-Barry) note. It was actually kind of comical, since I was walking with someone - if I'd been alone, probably wouldn't have been funny at all. As I was walking to the show, a man literally chased me down. He kept saying, "I like you", "You're beautiful", "Are you single?", "Will you be my girlfriend?" He hugged me and then started trying to hold my hand. I finally put my hand in my jeans pocket just to keep him from grabbing it! He started telling me that people call him Romeo. Then he took my arm and said he was going to take me to dance. And then he asked me if I liked to dance. And I just looked at him and said, "I'm going to see Barry!" And he said, "Barry Manilow?! Good show... But I'm much better!"

What?!?! Dude... AIN'T NOBODY BETTER THAN BARRY MANILOW!!!

I guess he didn't like it that I preferred Barry over him. He finally let go of me and told me to have a good day. And then he said, "I would have roasted you like a chicken." I have absolutely no idea what that means... This image of a dead bird in a roasting pan keeps popping into my head - and I really fail to see why the possibility of my meeting a similar fate would be appealing.

Sheesh... I knew there was a reason I quit dating...

Thank goodness Barry decided to hold his opening pose as he walked onto stage tonight. I was trying to get a photo of the Manilow lights with their reflection on the stage and I didn't even see Barry walk into the photo. Then I realized he was standing there and hurriedly tried to get my camera back up. For some reason, he stayed in that pose longer than normal. And it actually was a "pose" this time - he doesn't usually strike such a dramatic posture. I managed to catch it - maybe not as good of quality as I would like, but good enough. As for the Manilow lights, I need to be about 6 inches taller!

The tone of the night was kind of interesting. It was a strange mixture of smiles and tears. One minute we would be laughing and the next grabbing for the Kleenex. But, really - as I think about it, that's how it's always been. Barry has always been able to evoke a wide range of emotions in us. These particular moments in time are unique - I guess because this is so real and so relevant to right now. Barry has always been able to touch our memories and our dreams - his songs and performances of those songs have been able to conjure up moments from our past and make us relive them. And he's been able to give brief moments of life to our dreams of the future. But this time the feelings are based on the current reality. At least to me, the emotions feel much stronger. At any rate we laughed a lot, we cried a little (or a lot!). But we cherished every moment of it.

Muffy was back tonight. Yay! We really do love everyone up there on that stage.

Barry's eyes were glistening again as he opened the show. You know, so were ours. Must be the lighting. Bright lights. Yeah, that's it...

So, we had another variation in the way Barry can perform Daybreak. So far we've had standard performance, we've had silly, we've had lecturing mode, we've had motivational, we've had demanding... Tonight it seemed more like a pep talk. "It's daybreak, IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE..."

Somewhere in the Night was a performance to remember. It was lovely, as always at the beginning. But I guess the audience was just in one of those moods. Barry took a step back and slightly lifted his hand - and the audience went wild. I don't even think he was going to do finger wiggles - I think he just happened to lift his hand a little. Barry completely stopped singing when the audience went wild with cheers. Of course, that made us all start laughing then. And then Barry waved us off and said, "You guys make me feel like Justin Bieber up here!" Ha! Justin only wishes he could be like you, Barry! Barry finished out SITN in his sexy mode - might as well, because the audience was already there!

And no, I still can't remember Looks Like We Made It!

The most memorable thing about Can't Smile Without You tonight was the audience reaction to Barry. Everything else was virtually the same. Barry played around with the lyrics a little. The audience sang along enthusiastically. There's been a little extra "life" in the song for the last couple of times I've been here - it feels like Barry is really singing the song to us at times instead of for us. But basically, there wasn't anything super special about this particular performance. And yet, the audience reaction was incredible. What can I say? It's because we really can't smile without you, Barry.

Barry changed the ballad for the night. This time he made the comments that he hadn't "done this one for a while" and that he was "trying to fit in as much as he can". And then he asked Ron W for a G. And we got Weekend in New England. The performance was so beautiful. As usual, someone yelled out as Barry sang "When can I touch you..." And we got the "look" from Barry again (see photo). And he laughed as he said, "I still got it!" And some people in the audience yelled, "Yes, you do!!"

And the performance became even more passionate as it went on. The look in Barry's eyes was so intense. And then the sigh at the end - what a sigh. We could have all died - I think we almost did. I know vocally said, "Oh, my..." And then Barry kind of just fell over on the piano bench.

The audience cheers went on forever after the song was over. Barry just stood there smiling, and even laughing, soaking it all in. The audience was so loud it hurt my ears.

That long note during Brooklyn Blues was longer still tonight. Man! Barry could probably tell the band and backups to "take 5" and it would all work out perfectly!

I Am Your Child was extremely beautiful tonight. Barry sang softly, for most of the song. A woman next to me leaned over and commented that she loved the "whispering" quality in his voice. Yeah, that was really nice. As Barry finished the song, he kicked the vocals up a notch and really finished the song powerfully. The tone of the song overall was touching. I'm still hearing an emphasis on the "what you taught me to be" parts - could be just me.

When Barry got to the adult portion of Nature Boy, it seemed like he was really, really into it. Very touching, again.

This One's For You was also very touching. There wasn't as much raw emotion this time. The emotion was there, just more controlled. Barry started the song off in a slightly different way. As I've mentioned before, he usually mentions that he thinks of Grandpa when he performs this song. But he always says it as he's turning away from the audience and walking toward the piano. Tonight he didn't do that. He said it, then continued to face the audience with a very thoughtful look on his face. For most of the song, Barry gazed off into the distance, didn't seem to be focusing on anything. (Hey, I know it's not a pretty site to look at a bunch of women with swollen eyes, red noses, and trembling lower lips - but if you thought this was bad, wait until Sunday!) But during the part that's been getting to all of us, the "miss me, too" line, Barry focused in and really connected. I seriously hope he continues to do that for the next couple of shows - I think we need it.

New York City Rhythm started off a little more subdued than it normally does. But Barry turned it around quickly. For the last several times I've seen the song performed, especially this week, I seem to be picking up on an emphasis on portions of the song that relate to the music. For instance, when Barry walks onto stage and says that he loves the music of New York. And later in the lyrics of the song when he sings about the music making him high. It's like watching that statement that he's made over the years about "it's all about the music" coming alive. Barry was EXTRA funny tonight talking about Dancing With the Stars. He made several big-eyed faces, and exaggerated his reactions. (actually, he did that a lot throughout the night, not just during this song) He did the same thing as he played his solo - very cute. Lately it's been Ron W who has been doing a little extra playing during the piano chase bit - but tonight Joey jumped in ahead of him and did something extra, with a big grin on his face. Ron almost looked like he was thinking, "well, I can't top that." Oh, and Barry gave us an adorable expression tonight as he was dancing with the girls. Never seen him do this before!

And he played air piano again, as well!

The Christmas segment is more fun every night. Barry and Kye's shtick is priceless. And the way Kye plays off Barry's antics is priceless, too. This shot is from when Kye was singing about Santa checking to see who's been naughty or nice.

And this one is from when Barry tells Kye that he's full of sh*t after claims to have been a good boy this year.

And not only was Barry's comment about all the bad girls coming to his house met with loud cheers - there were a lot of hands waving in the air trying to volunteer!

After the first night, Barry and Kye changed the way they end the song. Last year (and the first show of this week) they would end the song with both of them dancing off stage and then peeping back around the curtain. But from the second night on, they've changed it to where they walk to the far left of the stage and then stand there doing an exaggerated congratulatory handshake. I haven't been able to get a great shot since it's so far to the side, but I managed to capture it just a little.

I've been forgetting to mention that White Christmas is also included in this segment of the show. Barry has been prompting us to sing with - tonight he played the part of teleprompter (like he does with CSWY) and would coach us with the lyrics. (and at one point spoke them very quickly, the same way he does with CSWY) It was also kind of neat the way Barry sang "...a Merry Christmas to you." at the end of The Christmas Song. He leaned forward and pointed at the audience - not just in general, but he moved his gesture around to various places in the audience.

I've also been forgetting to mention the white jacket that Barry dons for this portion of the show. I think I referred to this jacket once as being my second favorite white jacket. It's made out of material that's similar to the one that he used to wear at the Hilton, but this one has the lapels that appear to be lined in silver. It's really a beautiful jacket. He's wearing a black scarf with the sparkly things in it. In fact, that's why I came up with those photos yesterday that made me think of Tinkerbell - the light reflected off one of the sparkly things and it made it look just like Tinkerbell. (Again, the theme for the night must have been BELIEVE.)

Barry and gang finished this portion of the Christmas segment by bringing out the sad old Christmas tree. Actually tonight it didn't look quite so sad - didn't lean as much as it had the night before. Ha!

River was exquisite. So beautiful. And so emotional. It was really hard to not be totally carried away by the performance. Heck, that wasn't performance - that was truth. It felt so real. Barry has always had a knack for making this song feel real. But somehow he went even further with it this time. This was one of those special times to remember - he was sitting so close to us on the stool at the front of the stage. You could look right into his eyes - and they expressed every bit of pain that the lyrics of the song convey. It was almost heart wrenching.

Barry always starts off Because It's Christmas saying that "Christmas is for the children." But later in the song, the lyrics say "for the children in us all". Christmas is for anyone who doesn't allow themselves to stop believing. It's for anyone who doesn't allow themselves to stop feeling the magic. You know... All those things that children do so well - at least until (and if) someone manages to take that away from them. It's not only for the kids - it's just that kids don't have to struggle so hard to allow themselves to feel it. The stars and/or angels on the Christmas trees are like conduits to whatever is out there that can make dreams come true. They sparkle and they shine and they glow and when you look at them it feels like they come alive - if you allow yourself to see that. The presents aren't really about the toys or whatever is inside. Presents under a Christmas tree are like tangible representations of hopes and dreams. The excitement comes from anticipating which dream will come true when the wrappings are stripped away. Makes me think back to Daybreak... "It's daybreak, IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE..." That's the key. As long as you don't stop believing, then there's always hope, your dreams are always possible. If you really listen to the lyrics of Because It's Christmas, you can pick up on that.

And to make a long story short (too late!!!), all that was represented in Barry's performance of Because It's Christmas tonight. It was an extremely emotional performance - for him and us. Man, talk about connecting with the audience. Barry really sang to us. This was one of the most touching songs of the night - it's biggest competition was probably Mandy. Like I said, the entire night was a mixture of emotions. This one song had them all, as well. You could see the emotion in Barry as he sang. He was very, very emotional. Even if you weren't already feeling it, watching Barry would make you feel it. But at the same time, the lyrics of that song convey hope - and Barry's performance conveyed the hope. And then the manner in which Barry performed the song - he gazed at the audience for probably 90% of the song. It felt like the song were being dedicated to us. It was really special. And I'm doing a lousy job of articulating that. I guess because it WAS so emotional. Not sad! This wasn't sadness, this wasn't being down - this was just depth of feeling. It was an incredible moment - one that will stay with you forever.

Then the kids all came out to finish the song with Barry. I got a few more photos, but still couldn't get all of them. I'm in front row tonight - maybe I'll be able to get some good shots.

For the drum solos during American Bandstand, it sounded like both Russ and David had changed up their routine a little. I could have ended up with whiplash from turning my head back and forth between them! Kye was looking down Keely's dress again - but I missed the shot where she put her hands up to block his eyes. I did finally manage to catch a shot of Kye wiping out on the surf.

Barry started making fun of the dances, then stopped when everyone picked up their cameras. Okay, so since Barry doesn't want us taking photos of that, I'm not even going to attempt it for these last two shows. (and now I really DO qualify as a bad girl - because that's a bald-faced lie!) I got another good series of shots of Keely dragging Barry away after the segment is finished.

Mandy was fantastic. Of all the performances at the Hilton and at the Paris, I think this one is in the top two. I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite between this one and the one from a few weeks back where Barry actually made me catch my breath. This performance was also very emotional. You find yourself sitting there totally believing what Barry is singing. I can't even begin to convey how much Barry put into that song tonight. Again, it didn't feel like performance - it felt like truth. And I didn't have to worry about catching my breath this time because I had totally stopped breathing within the first two lines of the song.

I Write the Songs was emotional, as well. That's not unusual for us - but very unusual for Barry. This song is going to be incredibly hard for the next two nights.

There was a technical glitch during Copa. The trap door didn't work. It didn't go down. Barry stood there for a moment, then walked to the back of the stage so that the backups could do their solo bits. Then when the trap door should have been coming back up, Barry walked forward to get into his proper spot. No tux, of course. But you know what? I saw the tux, anyway! Proves that the tux itself really isn't important - it's Barry's presence that makes all the difference in the world. He went through the normal motions, the normal poses and facial expressions, everything about it was the same except that he just wasn't wearing a tux. He could have been standing there in jeans and dirty t-shirt and it wouldn't have mattered. I would have still been seeing what I'm so used to seeing - because it's all about Barry and his presence on that stage.

And besides, we got to see him in that beautiful blue jacket for the rest of the show.

It's A Miracle wasn't quite as upbeat as it has been. I think everyone was feeling the time slip away. I wish we could not do this. I stand by our rights to feel it, but I have mixed feelings about letting it out. On one hand I think it shows just how much the last 7 years has meant to us, and how much we care about those people on the stage. But it seems to me they're feeling some of it, too. I could be wrong about that, but I don't think so. And so I feel kind of guilty because I'm not sure it's understood that we're feeling this way simply because we're seriously going to miss these people. It's not just because something we've become accustomed to is going away. It's not necessarily because we don't want to go anywhere else. It's just a unique set of circumstances. This has been an unusual environment where we were able to feel close to the performers. The last 7 years has been amazing. When we started following Barry 30+ years ago, who would have ever thought we would experience something like this? It's been totally amazing - it's been well worth the ride. On Monday, Dec 12 I'll worry about "new chapters". Right now I just want to savor what's left of this one.

Someone sent me a message this morning to tell me that if you pinch the skin very hard between your thumb and index finger, it will stop the urge to cry. Don't know if that's true - but if it is, I think I'm going to be going home with a damaged hand! At any rate, I'm going to be doing whatever I can to hold it all in. You can't see clearly if your eyes are full of tears - and who wants to miss those blue eyes while we have them this close?!

After I got back to my hotel room I saw a post saying that Barry was being given a going away party here at the Hilton (where I'm staying). It was a very strange feeling to know that he was right here in the same building with me. Kind of like old times, when he was in residence here. I was never one who would go to Tempo. Kind of felt the same way - to know he was probably there.

Two more nights... Definitely some tears - but I'm sure a lot more smiles than tears.

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