A evening of Music and Passion -- Here We Go Again!

Seems I've been away forever

And, oh, my lord, I've missed you so

And now I'm looking at your smiling face

And I can't remember why I wanted to go

I guess I had to do some searchin'

But I've come back - you knew I would

And now I swear I'm feeling so alive

I can promise you this - this is gonna be good (Are you ready?

Are you really ready?

Are you ready?

One more time now)

I can hear the music

I can feel the fire

I can see the lightin'

Gonna take you higher

Made up my mind

We had a good thing going then

So we'll give it a try

And here we go again

(HERE WE GO AGAIN -- sung by Barry Manilow)

I am one happy Fanilow! Not only did I spend an evening with the music god Barry Manilow last night in Boston (ok, I had to share him with 11,000 other fans) I did so from the FREAKIN' FOURTH ROW!!!!!!! YIKES! I had NEVER seen him that up close in the 32 years I've been a fan and may I say it was a might FINE view! I was even more special because when he sat at the piano he was looking out at the audience in my direct line of vision -- how great was THAT? It was like he was singing and playing just for me and I was singing right along with him on every number.

Did you think I didn't know all the words? Foolish kiddies. ;-)

Anyway, I will tell you that while it wasn't the best concert of his that I've attended it was very special because of my vantage point, something I suspect may never happen again. IMO, the best concert of his was during the ONE NIGHT LIVE - ONE MORE TIME tour. Barry played in the round for over two hours with no opening act and it was very touching because he sang quite a few of his lesser known songs. It was quite a tear jerker for me, having grown up listening to his music since I was in high school -in fact, my entire adult life could use mostly Manilow songs for its soundtrack.

Pathetic, eh? Not hardly. It actually would fit me to a T.

Last night was a 100 minute extended version of his Las Vegas act and I think that's why I felt it was a little too "casino slick" even though it was vintage Barry all the way. My concert buddy was looking more for a concert so she wasn't as thrilled as I was (don't worry, Clay -- she thinks your concert this summer was better . At least that's one of us…). It also reminded me of the 2005 Aiken Jukebox Tour, as Barry treated us to songs from the 1940's to the 1970's, with his own hits sprinkled along the way. He even danced with an audience member - the comparisons to Clay are staggering. They must have been separated at birth or something…

Of course, my eyes did well up a few times -- once, during WEEKEND IN NEW ENGLAND (I've sung that song in concert myself and just love the raw emotion of it) and then again during I MADE IT THROUGH THE RAIN (both sets of lyrics mean a great deal to me). Barry may not have the best voice, even though I've always like it, he just has a way of drawing the listener into his musical interpretation and then tugging on every emotion possible. It's all very authentic, however, like he has truly experienced everything he's singing about. That is a gift and he has generously shared it with the world for over 30 years - hopefully we'll get another 30 from him, God willing.

No matter how long or short it was, whether slick or intimate, all my favorite songs or a little of everything, it was one more chance for me to experience "The Greatest Showman of our Generation" and my personal musical idol. Since I'll never get to Vegas (that darn fear of flying…) I don't know if I'll get the chance to hear him live again -- but, we'll always have Boston and Providence. You are very special, Mr Manilow -- thank you for the music, laughter and tears -- and you are loved.