Articles
Manilow Magic
29/07/2024
Manilow Magic
We recently had an opportunity to see Barry Manilow at one of his concerts at the Wembly Arena, part of his 2002 UK tour. It was a present from my wife Lesley’s daughter. I suggested waiting for a Kylie Minogue concert but this idea wasn’t taken very seriously. Barry Manilow is like Blind date on the television you watch it but don’t admit to it. I mean with a tough, hard rock image he isn’t good for the street cred..
An audience of 12,000 packed the Arena. What looked like 11,999 hyperactive middle aged women and me? I’ve come to the conclusion that Barry has only got 12,000 fans as it appeared as though the same audience goes to every concert and they all seemed to know each other. It is a known fact that my friend Pat Woodliffe is one of these fans who follow him around the world.
Special guest star was Curtis Steigers an American Country singer with a style that complimented Barry well. He did the first half hour or so and was a good warm up artist, not that these women needed warming up.
Then came Barry with an explosive opening which brought the whole audience to their feet. Although of somewhat mature age they managed to raise the roof but stopped short of throwing their frilly lace bloomers onto the stage.
In his opening gambit Barry acknowledged the few fella’s there appreciating the fact that they may have been dragged but promised that, with the music he would be playing, we would be thanking him in the morning. Imagine the response when he told remaining women that he would be their date for the night.
Although the concert had a regular format he played and responded to his audience like a good professional. “Can’t live without you” was a song where he always selected a member of the audience to sing with him. The only ground rules were that the person selected had to know the words. The house lights went up and there was a sea of placards where virtually the whole audience were pleading to be selected. A girl named Jenny was the chosen one. She was slightly younger than average but I suppose he is only human. Although very excited she sang with him well and Barry finished by giving her a hug which probably meant she wouldn’t wash, or sleep, for a week.
The early part of the show was his usual schmaltzy type of stuff. He later previewed his forthcoming CD “Here at the Mayflower” which was a little more earthy and reflected his New York upbringing. One song was accompanied by Curtis Steigers who is a brilliant Saxophonist.
The evening was rounded off with “Ready to take a chance again” where the audience waved flashing coloured lights creating an electric atmosphere to conclude a non stop, very polished and professional performance. But don’t tell the lads I said so.
Stafford Steed
We recently had an opportunity to see Barry Manilow at one of his concerts at the Wembly Arena, part of his 2002 UK tour. It was a present from my wife Lesley’s daughter. I suggested waiting for a Kylie Minogue concert but this idea wasn’t taken very seriously. Barry Manilow is like Blind date on the television you watch it but don’t admit to it. I mean with a tough, hard rock image he isn’t good for the street cred..
An audience of 12,000 packed the Arena. What looked like 11,999 hyperactive middle aged women and me? I’ve come to the conclusion that Barry has only got 12,000 fans as it appeared as though the same audience goes to every concert and they all seemed to know each other. It is a known fact that my friend Pat Woodliffe is one of these fans who follow him around the world.
Special guest star was Curtis Steigers an American Country singer with a style that complimented Barry well. He did the first half hour or so and was a good warm up artist, not that these women needed warming up.
Then came Barry with an explosive opening which brought the whole audience to their feet. Although of somewhat mature age they managed to raise the roof but stopped short of throwing their frilly lace bloomers onto the stage.
In his opening gambit Barry acknowledged the few fella’s there appreciating the fact that they may have been dragged but promised that, with the music he would be playing, we would be thanking him in the morning. Imagine the response when he told remaining women that he would be their date for the night.
Although the concert had a regular format he played and responded to his audience like a good professional. “Can’t live without you” was a song where he always selected a member of the audience to sing with him. The only ground rules were that the person selected had to know the words. The house lights went up and there was a sea of placards where virtually the whole audience were pleading to be selected. A girl named Jenny was the chosen one. She was slightly younger than average but I suppose he is only human. Although very excited she sang with him well and Barry finished by giving her a hug which probably meant she wouldn’t wash, or sleep, for a week.
The early part of the show was his usual schmaltzy type of stuff. He later previewed his forthcoming CD “Here at the Mayflower” which was a little more earthy and reflected his New York upbringing. One song was accompanied by Curtis Steigers who is a brilliant Saxophonist.
The evening was rounded off with “Ready to take a chance again” where the audience waved flashing coloured lights creating an electric atmosphere to conclude a non stop, very polished and professional performance. But don’t tell the lads I said so.
Stafford Steed