Concert Review
Barry Manilow
Blue Cross Arena
Rochester, NY
Friday, September 7, 2012
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The Blue Cross Arena came alive to the sights and sounds of one of the greatest performers in popular music history. World renowned singer Barry Manilow played his first show in Rochester in three years much to the delight of the near capacity crowd. As the curtain opened at the start of the show a silhouetted Manilow was seen through the bright lights, right then you knew you would be in for a special show.
The set list featured some of Barry’s old tried and true hits such as “It’s A Miracle”, “Could It Be Magic”, “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Even Now”. Even the diehards received a bone as Barry played “I Am You Child” from his debut album. Another rare song was “I Want To Be Somebody’s Baby” which appeared on Barry Manilow ll.
Manilow just shy of his seventieth birthday still performs with all the zest and zeal as he always has throughout his illustrious career. Even with recent hip surgery Manilow still moved about the stage freely and was dancing back and forth. One moment appeared to leave Manilow speechless occurred during what he called his most romantic song “Weekend In New England”. Following the line of the song “When can I touch you”, the dominant female crowd let out an excessively loud scream, that caused Barry to pause for a brief moment before continuing on. At the song’s end Manilow stated to the crowd “Where did you guys come from? You’re too much”.
Surprisingly there was the lack of an encore as well as what appeared to be an abbreviated set by Manilow. The set clocking in at around eighty minutes seemed light as “Trying To Get The Feeling Again”, generally a fixture in a typical set list was not played.
The show was just one of several recently as Barry has picked up on his touring schedule now that his residency in Las Vegas came to an end in 2011. These days many performers seem to continue to tour into their advanced age but most of them play smaller venues. It is a testament to Barry that he can still play larger venues at this point of his career. With Manilow it appears he will continue to perform into his next decade. One difference is he still sounds as good as he ever has and you can clearly tell he still enjoys performing even after all these years.
Set List
It’s a Miracle
Could It Be Magic
Somewhere In The Night/Looks Like We Made It
Can’t Smile Without You
Bandstand Boogie
The Old Songs
Stay
Even Now
Brooklyn Blues
I Am Your Child
This One’s For You
New York City Rhythm
I Wanna Be Somebody’s Baby
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli Cover)
Weekend In New England
I Made It Through the Rain
Mandy / Could It Be Magic
Copacabana
I Write The Songs
It’s a Miracle
