As usual during convention week, it was a wild crowd. A lot of yelling and screaming and standing. I must be getting old, because I just can't stand up during an entire show anymore - and so, I missed "seeing" several songs (such as the entire 60's segment). But it didn't keep me from hearing - and Barry was in fine voice last night. I don't think I've ever heard him sound better.

And he truly appeared to be loving every minute up on the stage. He was playful and energetic and seemed to be trying to absorb every ounce of love that was being thrown at him from the fan club members in the audience. And that's a lot of love to absorb!

The set list was basically the same as what he's been doing lately, but he threw in a few extras for us.

He did the 40's segment, and the 50's - he cut Love Is A Many Splendored Thing a little short, I'm guessing to fit in the extras.

I think Trying to Get the Feeling was the most powerful performance of the night. He did a portion of it with no band backup - just Barry and the piano - he changed the arrangement slightly. It was beautiful. He also changed the way he performed it. I think some of the audience didn't "get it", but he actually stopped playing and singing at one point, just before going into the chorus, gestured as if to say "what can I do?" and had a look on his face that would rip your heart out. At least, that's how I interpreted it. At any rate, it definitely got to me. And the ending was one of the most powerful I've ever seen. Awesome performance!

We got Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed (I stood for that one!) - love that song. He could perform that song in every show and I would never get tired of it.

At the end of the song, he stopped to tell the joke about the priest, the nun and the camel. Oh, Barry! LOL

TTGTF may have been the most powerful performance, but what he did to start the 60's segment was the most touching. And I was very glad that my seat was on the far side right next to the Rock Bottom stage. Barry did the Nehru jacket, funny cigarette bit (and I could actually smell the smoke from that cigarette - Barry, stop inhaling! LOL) - but instead of doing Yesterday, Barry sang Best Seat in the House. It was so beautiful. Early in the song he asked Seth to turn the lights up so he could "really see these beautiful people." As he sang he looked around at all of the audience members - really looked at us. It was so sweet. It blew me away - I honestly don't remember much about the rest of the show because of it.

The rest of the show was typical - 60's, 70's (Mandy was beautiful), and then Copa on the platform. The Chinese fire drill version of New York City Rhythm was in there, also - that's always fun.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that his arrangements are leaning toward either being very soft and gentle or very BIG. When his entire band is playing behind him, it's a BIG sound - you would think there were a lot more instruments than what you can actually see. And when it's just Barry and his piano (and he's doing that more frequently - these extra songs on his new CD should be fantastic!) it's soft and gentle and the music is full of emotion. Even when he isn't singing, the music carries the feelings. This man is good! But we already knew that, didn't we?

As for convention activities, I actually attended the cocktail party at the Tempo (gasp!). And I actually stayed the entire time (double gasp!!). It's really pretty in there. I still doubt I would ever go in by myself - but I did enjoy the time I was in there.

Tonight was a little wilder than last night, but that was to be expected since this was the first full night of the BMIFC convention. I'm sure Saturday night will be even wilder. Yes, everyone was on their feet throughout much of the show - I was standing right along with them this time. It was nice that there didn't seem to be any civilians in my vicinity. I take that back - I believe the couple directly behind me were civilians, but I overheard her as the show started state that she intended to stand because she knew everyone else would. And I never heard a complaint from them.

I was in row H center - too far back to get the "eye contact affect", but it provided a different view and perspective on the show, so I kind of enjoyed it. I think you can better appreciate how beautiful the stage and lighting really is. I personally didn't notice any difference in the sound although I've had people tell me there is one.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but again I was struck by the fact that I lose some of the excitement of being at the show when I'm sitting further back (I think I've mentioned that before). I don't lose the enjoyment, I lose the excitement. There really is a difference there, as strange as it sounds. I loved the show - wasn't the least bit disappointed in my seat - but still didn't have that same feeling that I normally do when I'm sitting closer. I've been trying to figure it out - I just keep coming back to the thought that when you're closer you must somehow be able to feel Barry's energy. I have no other explanation. Row H isn't a bad seat at all - I had a great view. Heck, I've had a great view in the balcony! So, it has nothing to do with how well you can see or hear - there were no problems there. I think it's going to drive me crazy until I can figure out what the difference is, though - one of those puzzles that I've just got to figure out. Whatever it is, that must be the element that keeps so many of us coming back over and over and over again. Oh, well - so much for deep thoughts - on to gushing...

The crowd roared when Barry took the stage. I wonder what it sounds like to Barry and the rest of the crew? Is it even louder to them? Oops, there I go thinking again...

He opened with the standard songs - actually, I hope he doesn't change that - I think it's a great opening. And he had a new jacket - gray with stripes - kind of an interesting look. I liked it.

The highlight of the evening for me was Why Don't We Live Together. I love that song - it's one of my favorites. I'll admit I prefer it with the original lyrics, but I'll take it any way I can get it. I remember Barry performing that song on the 2004 tour - he had added a groove to it that wasn't there on the original recording. I think he added even more of a groove tonight. It kind of rocked.

When it was time for his mid-show ballad, he asked what he should do. There were many, many suggestions from the audience. It seemed to me that I heard Weekend in New England more than anything else - perhaps wishful thinking on my part, since I adore that song and he always seems to do it the night after I leave. But he chose to do Even Now. A great performance, but not one of the tops I've seen. Geez, that sounded terrible - okay, let me qualify that statement. It was an awesome performance - it was flawless. It just didn't generate the passion in me that it has in the past - maybe we can blame that on the seat location.

Instead of Yesterday, Barry did The Best of Me. The first comment that I want to make is that I loved it - WE ALL loved it. Yes, he forgot the words. As he started in with the first verse, I just had this gut feeling that he was going to forget the words. Sure enough, he hesitantly sang, "I can't believe...I forgot the words." So, yes, he messed up - but who cares? For one thing, instead of getting all flustered, he continued on like the professional that he is. For another thing, I believe most of his fans really enjoy seeing those human moments - that's what makes him seem so real and endearing to us. He goofed a couple of other times in the song, always got the chorus right. But let's face it, there are certain songs (and this is one) that are so loved by the fans and that generate so much emotion from the fans, it doesn't really matter if they're letter perfect. In fact, with this particular song as long as he got through the opening line ("No one can ever touch me more..."), I don't think it would really matter if he sat there and babbled incoherently as long as he stayed in tune with the music - we were already goners long before he made his first mistake. I also remember that when he performed that song last year while I was in the audience, he forgot the lyrics. So, Barry - feel free to blame me - it must be my fault! After he had flubbed the lines a couple of times, he got a look on his face that was half exasperation and half amusement, then reached over and picked up the cigarette as if he were about to take a drag. But then he put it back down. It got a big laugh out of the audience.

We got a portion of the Mayflower medley - They Dance, Hot Stuff, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered. He wore one of his black leather jackets! Oooh! As Kye brought the leather jacket out, Barry started taking off the one he was wearing. There were squeals from the audience - and Barry said to Kye "They like it when I take my clothes off." Kye started laughing, as did the audience.

The rest of the show was standard. It was interesting seeing Copa from row H. I got a few photos of them all up on the platform. Nothing spectacular, but different.

Tomorrow night I'm sitting a little further back and farther to the side. Should be interesting.

I was even further back tonight - row J - this time on the far right (or is it left? Whatever - it was on the former Dew Drop side). I still stick by last night's statement that even though I still have as much enjoyment, I don't have the same excitement. But as far as being able to appreciate the beauty of the set, this seat was even better than last night's. I caught myself several times taking my attention away from the performers just to admire the stage and the lighting. I even zoomed out to take some photos of what I was seeing overall. It's really beautiful work.

I was right about the crowd being even wilder - or at least, louder. I think that we were probably on our feet for almost 2/3 of the show. (note to Garry: I was standing!) I noticed a few civilians around us, but they all joined in with the exception of one - and he didn't complain.

I finally got Weekend in New England! And what a fantastic performance it was! Very powerful. Now *that* performance was strong enough to give me butterflies even back in row J. Still gives me chills when I think about it.

This time instead of Yesterday, Barry sang Old Friend, followed by Forever and a Day. I was too far away to see the emotion on his face, if there was any - but his body language seemed to indicate that it was very emotional for him.

He did a portion of the Mayflower medley again - same as last night. Except this time he asked for a different jacket because he said the black leather one was too hot. I have to admit it was warm in the theater - I normally wear long sleeves and even then I freeze - but I was wearing short sleeves and still warm. Must have been all those love sick fans generating the heat!

Barry did wear the leather jacket for a brief time. Again, as Kye brought out the new jacket and Barry took the other one off, there were squeals from the audience. Barry look at Kye and said "I don't want to know!" Everyone laughed again.

Barry obviously loves having the fans there. It's a completely different atmosphere. I do like the more sedate crowds, but I like seeing Barry when the audience is full of real fans, as well. It's kind of cool to see him so happy - and he truly appeared happy.

Fan club activites were a blast. Garry's Q&A was hilarious - he should be a stand-up comedian. Found out about a lot of great projects. I'm going to assume all of this has already been posted elsewhere, so I won't repeat it. Let's just say we have a lot of look forward to - and I need a raise!

The Mentalist was excellent - he was very entertaining - he did a couple of things that still have me stumped.

And then we got a Q&A with Barry! And he brought almost all of his band with him. It's so enjoyable to see him in that kind of setting. He seems so relaxed. He played Silver Bells from the new Christmas CD - it started out in more of the traditional mode, with the exception of all of the different Barry-voices. And then it really turned jazzy in the middle. He also played It Never Rains in Southern California from the new 70's CD. This is another case of Barry making me like something I hate - I never liked that song, but I definitely like his version of it.

Again, I'm sure someone else has posted just about everything he said, so I won't go back over it. I do particularly remember the comment he made about those of us who see the show frequently and how he wondered if we didn't get tired of seeing the same old thing. The answer, of course, is no - we don't. We aren't just there to hear the music - we're there to see HIM PERFORM THE MUSIC. And that will never get old. It's never the same - every performance is unique. We'll never get tired of Barry.