Barry Manilow Bams

Somewhere Down The Road - just the beginning

The Ultimate Manilow - The Hits

The Ultimate Manilow is in its second week at the Las Vegas Hilton. Its the revamped version of the Music & Passion show.

Apparently there's been quite a bit of bickering about whether the show is different enough from Music & Passion. First of all - Music & Passion was FABULOUS. So if it isn't very different - it must still be fabulous. And B - its Barry in the same theater....what are people expecting? III - Music & Passion was an evolution, very different in June of 08 from its beginnings of Feb 05.

Over the course of those 3+ years, the 3 decades CD's came out, 2 PBS specials were made and a Christmas CD was released...

I just know that the feeling rushing through the cells of my body when Barry Manilow walks out onto any stage is indescribably. Last night I watched a video another blogger took at Wed's (9/3) show. Just watching the video of the new opening had my heart racing.

I can't compare Mr. Manilow's show to any other because I admit to being as biased as they come. But from what I hear there is no one like him - musically or showmanship wise....(these are places I wish I could think of better words to describe).

So the next trip is in just over 3 weeks. My sister will be meeting me there and seeing the show for the first time. Her friend and my cousin's husband will also be seeing the show for the first time and will be sitting in the second row behind me and my cohorts. I know they will love the show but it will be very interesting to see which parts stand out for them.

Last week our friends, Jess and Nora, who both work at the Hilton (more about them another time) went to see the show. This was Jess' first show and Nora saw M&P a couple years ago. Jess was impressed with Mr. Man's pipes (not surprising) and was very touched by Somewhere Down The Road - a sad song about letting go of love. This was a bit surprising and yet it is the pure, dare I say, naked Barry that is the core of most fans adoration. Its those types of songs and his interpretation that draws people in and never lets go. Don't get me wrong...it ain't all about the music. But that's the hook and it's the other stuff - humor, little boyish grin and giggles, the amazing build when performing ballads, etc, etc. etc, that are the barbs. (never thought there could be a fishing analogy when describing Barry Manilow)

We have 4 shows Oct 1 - Oct 4....each night we are in the 1st or 2nd row....

Surely the show will have evolved further by then because there are a couple dark weeks and one show week before.

Isn't it the same show every night? NO!!!!