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| June 2001 | WGN TV and Radio (Transcribed) | "Could it be Magic; The Barry Manilow Songbook"
Reviewed by Dean Richards for WGN-TV (6/20)
and WGN Radio (6/24) |
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"For some great memories and even greater performances; This One's for You!"
Dean Richards WGN TV and RadioAnchors:
In the 70's and 80's, he ruled the pop music charts with hits like "I Write The Songs", "Mandy" and "Copacabana." Now, Barry Manilow turned his signature hits into a live musical stage show. WGN entertainment critic Dean Richards was at the world premiere of "Could It Be Magic; The Barry Manilow Songbook" and is here with his review. Dean (on camera):
With productions of "Saturday Night Fever" and the smash Abba musical, "Mamma Mia" through town; Manilow is hoping there's room for him on the 70's musical nostalgia train. And who better to ride it. Unless you've been in a cave over the past 25 years, you know the very familiar music of Barry Manilow. Like it or not, Manilow's body of work is impressive which is why the idea of taking 29 of his instantly recognizable hits and turning them into a song and dance fest makes so much sense. SOT: COULD IT BE MAGIC TAPE (montage)
00:00 COME, COME, COME INTO MY ARMS....
00:14 BABY......
Dean (voice over):
These ain't your mama's sweet and syrupy songs anymore. These 5 amazing singers and dancers breathe new life into these old favorites; mostly gospel, hip-hop and R&B life performed without a overall plot line; yet each song telling it's own mini-story. SOT: COULD IT BE MAGIC TAPE (jump, shout)
3:35 DON'T I MAKE YOU WANT TO JUMP....
3:44 IS WHAT I'M ALL ABOUT.
From "bump and grinds" to "smokey ballads" to a funny, "mime" version of "Can't Smile Without You", the show takes you on a sweet, though sometimes corny trip that, still, is worth seeing, not so much for the nostalgia or the swallow stories; but for this incredible cast. Within a few minutes of the start of the show; you forget about Barry's versions of the songs and will be swept up by these great performers who make each song their own; especially the amazing E. Faye Butler. SOT: COULD IT BE MAGIC TAPE
1:46 AND TELL ME...WHEN WILL I....
2:01 STRONG YEARNING AGAIN....
Dean (voice over):
I talked with the show's novice director who told me that his credentials are in his passion and also in a couple of decade's worth of "related" experience. SOT: MANILOW INTERVIEW TAPE @ 8:29
IN: IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER....
OUT: BEEN THERE FOR SO MANY YEARS.
Dean (on camera):
I wish his instincts had told him to feature fewer non-hits and more of the big hits, not just reducing them into a quick medley. I was also disappointed that they buried the classic "Copacabana" as just a quick encore. Still, I'm recommending "Could It Be Magic; The Barry Manilow Songbook" in an open run at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. If you want great memories and even greater performances; This One's for You!
| | June 15, 2001 | Chicago Sun-Times | Hit Parade article by Miriam DiNunzio, an interview with Barry about "Could It Be Magic?". |
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| Manilow is looking to the future these days, busy putting some finishing touches on the musical arrangements for "Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook," a revue of his music that will be given its world premiere in Chicago this weekend. "[Show creators] Ken and Mitzie [Welch] came to me with the idea because they had just seen `Smoky Joe's Cafe,' " Manilow says. "And they said, `Why don't you do [something] like that? ... It's one way to keep the music out there.' And since I've slowed down touringwise, it really made sense." The Welches' idea of "keeping the music out there" turned into a revue with minimal sets and costumes, and 29 major hits from the Manilow catalog, spanning more than 25 years of the singer's hugely successful career, a career that includes 30 albums and 38 Top 40 hits. "I didn't write all this stuff," Manilow says. "I had the honor of introducing it. Songs like `Mandy' or `I Write the Songs,' for example, are these gorgeous songs that [former Arista president] Clive Davis handed to me. What I really liked about the concept for this new show was that it was a way to keep all this music out there, without having to go out on the road and sing it constantly. "One of the things that kept me on the road was this realization that if I don't sing this material, nobody else is going to, because people don't do that anymore. If Billy Joel doesn't get out and sing his stuff, [other] people are not gonna sing Billy Joel songs." While the show features Manilow's hits, it is not autobiographical and he does not star in it. In fact, outside of the new arrangements for every song and some general production comments, Manilow has had marginal input into the creation and structure of the show. He's on the outside looking in, and that's just the way he likes it. "The show is all about the songs," he says. "About the versatility of the songs, the songwriters and the talent of the people on the stage. That's it. My main goal, everybody's main goal on this project, is to take my face off these songs, and for audiences to enjoy and appreciate the quality of the songwriting and the talent of the performers." A six-piece band provides accompaniment for a cast of five, including Debra Byrd, Manilow's longtime friend and vocal collaborator; Kye Brackett, another of his backup singers and a choreographer who worked with Manilow on his "Showstoppers" tour, and Chicagoans E. Faye Butler, Keely Vasquez and Michael K. Lee. The songs' new arrangements will no doubt surprise many in the audience, including his longtime fans. "Ken and Mitzie came up with this idea to find very talented, multiethnic people and give them this catalog of music that is tailor-made for their styles, which are very young, very contemporary and frankly a little urban," Manilow says, "more urban that you would ever expect this material to be able to handle." "I'm a creative guy, and I decided the things I love to do are write and create," Manilow says. "So I sent out a version of `Copacabana' that toured for a year. It was great. I put it together and sent it out on the road. The same was true with `Harmony,' which is coming up. It was a fantastic experience putting it together. Then I went home. "So I don't mind stepping back at all. I've always been into `the next one.' I want to work on the next show, the next album. I really would rather not have to sing `Copacabana' [again]. I mean I do sing it, and when I do it's so enjoyable because the people are crazy for it. But I'd rather look to the future. And this show is kind of a celebration of my past and it's a beautiful way of giving away this wonderful batch of material to other people to do." "It's been 30 years of room service and late planes and cold hotels in Europe, and after a while you just want to live your life instead of your career. I know there are a lot of other performers who live for performing, live for going out on the road, and that's their life. They love it. That's never been my thing. Certainly I've enjoyed it. Certainly I've been very grateful for the success. "But I would be very happy just arranging and composing for the next 20 years, and I may very well do just that," Manilow said emphatically during our phone interview. "In my soul, I'm a composer, that's what I do. This performing thing has been a beautiful accident. [Laughs] That doesn't mean I'm never going out on the road again, it just means that I'm not ever going to tour as hard as I did in the past. Never do that again. I may do a month here and a month there, a few of my favorite cities. But I never have to do that big tour thing again. There never was a point when I ever really had to. I wanted to. I had something to say, and I wanted the albums out there. And I wanted the success, as much as I could get. But at this point, I'm just not that hungry anymore." Next up for Manilow, aside from four projects he says are "ready to go," is an album of all-original material, something he's not done in about 15 years. "Oh, I'll probably get killed for it like I usually do," he says with a chuckle. "I usually do. OK, I don't always get killed. It's always a crapshoot. I just have to do what I need to do."
| | June 6, 2001 | Chicago Sun-Times | Article by Michael Sneed, mentions "Barry Manilow, whose 'Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook' opens at the Mercury Theater, June 17, drew the attention of fans while dining at Rosebud on Rush on Sunday. Then on Monday, Manilow was a surprise guest at the League of Chicago Theatres' 'Showtime 2001!' benefit at the Goodman Theatre." |
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| June 3, 2001 | Chicago's Daily Southtown | "Around Town: Barry good" by Betty Mohr: "Barry Manilow is in town for a book and CD-signing at Borders on Michigan Avenue this Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. [in preparation] for the Chicago world-premiere of his show 'Could It Be Magic' ... It will include 20 of Manilow's most popular songs ... Manilow said, 'I hope people remember me. I hope those are the songs that will still make people laugh, cry and boogie, and that will live on through this production.'" |
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| May 31, 2001 | Chicago Sun-Times | "Barry Sighting" by Bill Zwecker, mentions that Barry "will be on hand for a 'greet and meet' autograph session at Borders Books and Music, 830 N. Michigan, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday (June 4)." |
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| May 30, 2001 | Chicago Metromix | Barry Manilow article reporting that Barry will sign copies of "'The Barry Manilow Anthology' and new CDs in celebration of the show 'Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook'" at Borders Books and Music on June 4, 2001 (5:30-7:00 p.m.). |
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| May 6, 2001 | New York Times | Listing for the Mercury Theater in Chicago from June 17 for "'Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook' by Ken Welch, Mitzie Welch and Barry Manilow, with music by Marty Panzer, Bruce Johnston, Scott English, Richard Kerr, Jack Feldman, Bruce Sussman, Mr. Manilow and others, a premiere." |
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| April 25, 2001 | Chicago Sun-Times | Very Barry article notes that "Tower Records (2301 N. Clark) is hosting a special ticket promotion on Saturday (April 28) - with contestants singing karaoke to their favorite Manilow song" to promote the upcoming world premiere of "Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook." |
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| April 10, 2001 | Miami Herald | "Manilow the musician turns his magic to the theater" by Christine Dolen ("[Barry] is looking forward to a career in theater much more than he looks back to his pop star past. Two days after his birthday, a Smokey Joe's Cafe-style revue of his songs titled 'Could It Be Magic?' opens in Chicago. He's hopeful that 'Harmony' [will] finally make it to Broadway this year.") |
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| April 2001 | Chicago CitySearch.com | "Could it Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook" by Chris Barsanti, "'Could It Be Magic?' uses a five-member ensemble cast and a six-piece band for its tribute to the music of Barry Manilow ... The show [features] 'Mandy', 'I Write The Songs' and, of course, 'Copacabana.' ... Veteran Manilow ensemble singers Kye Brackett and Debra Byrd star, along with E. Faye Butler, Dominique Fortuna and Keeley Vasques." |
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| March 30, 2001 | Chicago Tribune | "Manilow on songwriters" by Chris Jones, article includes comments from Barry about Could It Be Magic: The Barry Manilow Songbook - "The idea was in no way a tribute to me, it was all about the music and all about the songs that I have been involved with over the years ... As I slowed down with my touring schedule, I'm realizing that if I don't do 'Weekend In New England,' then nobody else does it ... So if the focus was on the songs and the songwriters, then I decided I was comfortable with that ... We're pushing the songs into an R&B world. It's not that far away from what I do, but we're not trying to re-create it. I can already tell that this show will be moving, entertaining and not me at all." The article also mentions after Chicago, [the show is] likely to go to London. |
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| March 28, 2001 | Variety Magazine | "Manilow Songbook hits the stage; Bows at Mercury on June 19" by Chris Jones ("Barry Manilow and his business and creative team are planning a new theatrical revue based around 29 of the songs first recorded by [Barry] ... 'Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook' will bow on June 19 at the 330-seat Mercury Theater on Chicago's North Side ... 'We're getting a lot of interest from other cities,' said Garry Kief, who is producing the show along with his brother, Rob ... 'The availability of large theaters is very difficult, and we like the idea of doing this show in intimate spaces. I'd prefer to have several sit-down companies than one big tour.'") |
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| March 23, 2001 | Chicago Tribune | "Manilow coming to town" by Chris Jones ("Chicago will be the starting point of an intimate and experimental new revue based around 29 songs first recorded by Barry Manilow ... 'Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook' opens at the Mercury Theatre [on] June 17. Although based on an idea by Ken and Mitzie Welch, the show will be under the personal supervision of the singer himself. Manilow is expected to be present at the Mercury on opening night. Along [with] Kye Brackett and Debra Byrd, the five-member cast includes the locally based E. Faye Butler, Dominique Fortuna and Keeley Vasques. 'The show is a tribute to the songwriters whom I have had the honor of introducing,' Manilow said...") |
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| March 7, 2001 | Chicago Sun-Times | "Barry's Beat" by Bill Zwecker, article about "Could It Be Magic: The Barry Manilow Songbook" revue world-premiering at Chicago's Mercury Theater in June 2001 ("[Barry] checked out the 40 singers called back for a follow-up audition, after original tryouts last week ... Manilow told show general manager Cheryl Sloane he was totally pumped about launching his show in the Windy City ... 'He was amazed at the nature of the talent he saw here,' says Sloane."). |
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| March 4, 2001 | Houston Chronicle | "Even now, Manilow can sing the songs" by Michael D. Clark, about Barry's appearance at the Houston Rodeo (March 3rd) ("Manilow is a talented pianist and a singer, but what sets him apart is an ability to entertain and work a crowd ... Rodeo or not, a Barry Manilow concert would not be complete without a visit to the Copacabana. Drawing a faux fruity drink from under his piano, he led a conga line around the oscillating stage ... the rodeo audience was clearly appreciative of this unlikely source of family entertainment.") |
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| February 15, 2001 | Chicago Tribune's Metromix | Article by Chris Jones, about "still sketchy" plans for Barry Manilow coming to Chicago as stage director to "create an intimate revue-style show (Could It Be Magic) that would be made up of songs from his own extensive backlist ... Manilow would not perform himself but would oversee, conceive and personally work on the piece ... the Mercury (Theater) apparently appealed to Manilow as a place to work out all the kinks in relative peace ... Manilow's show, says someone familiar with the project, will have a loose, rhythm-and-blues flavor and feature a diverse cast and a more offbeat ambience than some might readily associate with Manilow." |
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| February 12, 2001 | FindLaw Legal News | "Psycho Nympho, Imaginary Manilow" by Julie Hilden, synopsis of Ally McBeal's February 12, 2001, episode which features Barry Manilow as Ally's hallucination ("Manilow still looks good. He is also much more appealing now that he's agreed to make fun of himself by appearing on the show ... Maybe Ally should dump Larry (Robert Downey Jr.) for him. At least Manilow showed up on Valentine's Day."). |
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| February 10, 2001 | Billboard Magazine | Barry Manilow is pictured with producer Richard Marx and engineer David Cole at the Village (Studio B) in West Los Angeles... |
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| January 8-15, 2001 | Us Weekly Magazine | "Barry Sings for Ally" ("Barry Manilow showed up on the [Ally McBeal] set in early December and sent the cast and crew into a frenzy ... When the 'Copacabana' crooner arrived to tape some songs for a show about Valentine's Day, he was asked to autograph so many of his CDs for the cast and crew members [that] filming started 30 minutes late.") |
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| January 7, 2001 | San Francisco Chronicle | "Barry's Best" by James Sullivan, short article praising the "quality" of Barry's many hits. |
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| December 2000 | Vegas.com | "The Man behind the music" (Showbiz Weekly), mini-bio promoting Barry's appearance at Paris Hotel's Le Theatre des Arts on December 15-17. Same article on Barry at showbiz.vegas.com (week of December 17-23) for his appearance at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on December 17. |
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| December 11, 2000 | WBOC TV-16, Delmarva's News Leader | "Manilow Concert Postponed: Barry Manilow fans 'trying to get that feeling again' will have to do it some other night" by Steve Hammond, notes Barry's plane "got fogged in down in Norfolk" resulting in the postponement of his concert scheduled in Salisbury, Maryland (Wicomico Civic Center), December 11. "Manilow Getting Support From Local Talent: Some local musicians face a once in a lifetime opportunity Monday night", special interest article about the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra's involvement with Barry Manilow. |
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| December 11, 2000 | WMDT - Delmarva 47 News | "Cancelled Concert", reports "Barry Manilow got stuck in Norfolk because of fog" and "The [Wicomico] Civic Center says if you have tickets, hold on to them, a new date will be set in a few days." |
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| December 11-16, 2000 | Showbiz Magazine | "Barry Manilow: Master of music" by Joe Delaney, features a mini-biography of Barry in promotion of his appearance at the Paris Las Vegas Les Theatre des Arts on December 15-17 ("Don't miss music master Barry Manilow in concert ... Take someone you care for; it would make a wonderful holiday gift."). |
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| December 1, 2000 | Las Vegas Review-Journal | "Singer Barry Manilow set for performances at Paris" - promoting Barry's appearance at the Theater des Arts at Paris (Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, December 15-17, 2000). |
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| November 2, 2000 | USA Today | Newspaper Stories article by Jeannie Williams notes, "Barry Manilow will play Foxwoods in Connecticut with Lady Flash, the three women he last toured with in 1978 ... Manilow sold out four shows Dec. 1 to 3 in three hours and just added a fifth Nov. 30." |
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| October 30, 2000 | Us Weekly Magazine | "Bette Midler's Divine Inspiration" by James Kaplan, includes picture of Bette with Barry from New Year's Eve 1982 ("Bette Midler hooked up with accompanist Barry Manilow and cooked up an act by turns bawdy, campy and schmaltzy and became an instant icon - the Divine Miss M - at age 25.") |
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| October 18, 2000 | Hollywood Reporter | "Reviews: My Favorite Broadway" by Frank Scheck ("'My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs,' a one-night benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and presented by Target Stores, [was] recorded and will be telecast on PBS' 'Great Performances' this season ... Barry Manilow was on hand, receiving an enthusiastic response to the stirring 'Every Single Day,' a number from his upcoming musical 'Harmony'.") |
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| October 18, 2000 | Yahoo! Daily News | "'Love' conquers Broadway" by Robert L. Daniels, ("'My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs,' a one-night stand of beloved show tunes at Manhattan's City Center, featured an all-star lineup of vets as well as Broadway's most promising young voices. The evening was taped for a presentation on PBS's 'Great Performances' series. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS ... With: Julie Andrews, Michael Crawford, Linda Eder ... Robert Goulet, Nathan Lane, Barry Manilow ...") |
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| October 17, 2000 | Broadway.com | My Favorite Broadway: Part 2" ("Some of Broadway biggest stars came out on October 16th to lend a hand to My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs at City Center." Includes photo of "Barry Manilow, who sang from his musical Harmony, with Linda Eder.") |
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| October 17, 2000 | Theatre.com | "Julie Andrews Stars Again on Broadway -- But Just for a Moment" by Michael Buckley ("... Michael Crawford finished singing 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face' from My Fair Lady, and he was joined by that show's original star, Julie Andrews, who served as host of the Oct. 16 concert ... The concert will be broadcast PBS's 'Great Performances' in March 2001 as a Pledge program. Also on the bill were Chita Rivera, Rebecca Luker ... and Barry Manilow.") |
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| October 4, 2000 | USA Today | Not really about Barry, but an article by Craig Wilson on guilty pleasures that people have... one, of course, being the love for Barry Manilow. |
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| October 3, 2000 | Daily Telegraph (UK) | "Can't Smile Without Him: Barry Manilow is set to become an unlikely fashion icon" by Julia Robson, article about a Manilow moment at London Fashion Week. Includes a couple of Barry pictures from the past. |
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| September 16, 2000 | My Weekly
(Great Britain) | "That Manilow Magic..." by Bernard Bale, article about "Manilow Magic And Passion, And Love!" ("He writes the songs the whole world loves to hear and before the end of this year, Barry Manilow will have charmed us all again with a new collection of original material, his first such album for nearly 10 years ... 'There are many great songs that have been recorded originally by other people. I love to sing them and other people like to listen to them, but I am thrilled that the next album is full of originals. I shall be singing some of them on my next tour' ... 'I hope [the new album] proves to be popular because it would mean a lot to me to know that I am sharing it with people.'"); includes pictures chronicling Barry's career. |
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| July 2000 | Palm Springs Life Magazine | "Lorna Luft Helps AIDS Assistance" - Barry is pictured next to Pat Rizzo at the Lorna Luft concert in an article about a black-tie awards dinner at the O'Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs to benefit the AIDS Assistance Program. |
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| July 2000 | People Weekly
(Special Collector's Edition) | "People Weekly celebrates the 70s" - Barry Manilow is featured as one of the Singular Sensations in this tribute to "The Me" decade. |
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| May 26, 2000 | Las Vegas SUN | "Barry Manilow, keeping a busy schedule despite writing the songs that make the whole world sing, will be accompanied by a full orchestra for shows tonight and Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Theatre." |
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| May 26, 2000 | Las Vegas Review-Journal | "Barry Manilow isn't playing the Copa. No, he's at the Mandalay Bay Theatre ... Manilow is singing with a full orchestra during his latest Las Vegas visit ... At recent concerts around the country, the 53-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y.-born romantic has been performing old hits, the theme to 'American Bandstand,' plus selections from his 1998 CD, 'Manilow Sings Sinatra'..." |
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| May 21-27, 2000 | Showbiz Magazine | "Barry Manilow: I write the songs", promoting Barry's appearance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, May 25-28. Highlights moments of Manilow's career: 2 AM Paradise Cafe, Copacabana-TV Movie, Sweet Life-the autobiography, Barry Manilow at the Gershwin, Greatest Hits and Then Some... World Tour, Singin' With The Big Bands, Manilow Sings Sinatra, and Copacabana-The Musical. |
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| May 16-29, 2000 | What's On Magazine | "Mellow Manilow: Barry's The Man", Showguide spotlight (page 51) and full-page ad (page 3), promoting Barry's appearance at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, May 25-28. |
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| May 17, 2000 | The Morning Call | "Barry Manilow wows Stabler Arena Crowd" by Jerry Duckett, review of Barry's concert in Bethlehem, PA, May 12th ("Barry Manilow, adorned in classic black shirt and slacks with a white sports coat, performed his hits Friday night at Bethlehem's Stabler Arena like he just started his career yesterday ... From the moment he stepped on stage [to] the end of his second encore, the sold-out audience of all ages went to the limit in showing its appreciation ... His stage presence was dynamic ... Manilow applied his trademark tenor to one hit after another, beginning with 'Could It Be Magic,' followed by 'Looks Like We Made It,' 'Mandy' and 'Copacabana,' ending with 'I Write The Songs.' ... At one point, he walked into a changing booth in the corner of the stage, emerged in a black suit and tie, and said it was 'Sinatra time.'"). |
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| May 13, 2000 | The Lowell Sun Online | "'Could it be magic'? Manilow wows 'em" by David Perry, review of Barry's appearance at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, May 13th ("Last night, before a sold-out crowd, Manilow, his core seven-piece band and a 30-piece orchestra delivered a two-hour show that would please even doubters, layering on the hits, a section of big band, a song from his forthcoming Broadway musical, Harmony, Frank Sinatra covers, a glossy-pop version of Hank Williams' 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,' and even his Garth Brooks cover, 'If Tomorrow Never Comes.' ... Manilow basked in the warmth and fullness of the orchestra all night ... The sound was superb, as was Manilow's voice ... give him extra credit for taking the risk and expense of bringing an orchestra with him ... 'Thanks for all the years,' he told the fans, 'I know it's not easy being a Barry Manilow fan.'"). |
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| May 13, 2000 | Billboard Magazine | Not specifically about Barry Manilow, but Billboard's Salute to Clive Davis and Arista's 25th Anniversary ("25 Arista") has got Barry written all over it!! |
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| May 12, 2000 | Syracuse On-Line
Herald-Journal
The Post-Standard
Herald American | "Manilow sings songs that make the whole crowd cheer: The pop singer is poignant, cool, funny and tough - and pokes fun at his image", by Mark Bialczak, review of Barry's appearance at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse, NY, May 11th ("Manilow didn't have to do much to win the tender hearts in the crowd over. His poignant love songs delivered by his rich and sensitive voice took care of that. From the opening chords of 'Could It Be Magic,' it was obvious that Manilow's talents have withstood the test of time. He and the exquisite 30-piece orchestra turned the old hockey arena into a cauldron of passion with great pop love songs such as 'Looks Like We Made It,' 'Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again,' 'Mandy' and 'Weekend In New England.' ... When he sang, 'Each time I find myself flat on my face, I just pick myself up and get back in the race' (from 'That's Life'), you believed that Manilow has been one to force himself to rebound from the tight spots in life, just like Ol' Blue Eyes..."). |
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| May 12, 2000 | The Morning Call | "Indoors at Stabler perfect for popster Barry Manilow" by Jan Perry, promoting Barry's concert at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA, May 12th. (article similar to "Barry's bringing show to Dayton" from April 13) |
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| May 9, 2000 | The Review
(University of Delaware) | Just plain orgasmic... Manilow! Live! by Jamie Schuman, reflection of Barry's concert at the Bob Carpenter Center, May4th ("Like a doctor of adult contemporary music, Manilow treated the crowd for any affliction ... 'I hope you're feeling good tonight [and] if you're not, I'm here to make you feel better.' ... It was Manilow's first time in Delaware, and he promised to be gentle with his 'virginal audience' ... The full house went crazy when Manilow's fingers danced on the keys of the piano while he sang and played 'Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again' ..."). |
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| May 8, 2000 | The Lowell Sun | "Barry: 'I just keep creating the most beautiful music I know how to do'" by David Perry, concert preview for Barry's appearance at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, May 13th and 14th. Includes interview with Barry about the Grammy-nominated Manilow Sings Sinatra; pop radio before ("When I [heard] 'Mandy' next to 'Kung Fu Fighting,' I was appalled to find that that's what I had just done - made a record that was going to be played next to that... Not that that's bad, and I don't mean to put it down, but I had just come out of my own world."); critics; Copacabana; Harmony; Arista's 25th Anniversary Celebration ("It was the longest evening of anybody's life... it took six-and-a-half hours."); and pop music today. |
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| May 7, 2000 | The Citizens' Voice
(Wilkes-Barre) | "Manilow writes and performs all his songs" by Al Choman, review of Barry's concert at the "First Union Center at Casey Plaza", May 5th ("Friday evening's [concert] proved that Manilow is comfortable with who he is and his fans love him just that way ... Lush orchestral arrangements combined with personable offerings a la Manilow style won over the packed house easily ... [Barry] showcased his diversity with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" as well as with the Garth Brooks' penned 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' ... Much of Manilow's appeal lies in his charm, his charisma, his ability to connect with his audience ... Barry Manilow - showman, talented vocalist consummate entertainer.") |
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| May 7, 2000 | Palm Springs Desert Sun | "Manilow records song as thank-you" by Pat Michaels, article about Eddie Ryan, a former Buena Park policeman, who Barry called upon to borrow an accordion for a local event ("When Manilow needed to borrow that accordion, Eddie saw an opportunity ... He took the lyrics of a song he'd written and packed it with the instrument ... when the accordion was returned, Eddie found a CD inside the case ... Manilow had set some music to Eddie's lyrics, recorded it on a personal CD, and sent it back as a way of thanks ... It's called, 'The Sun Will Always Shine On You'." |
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| May 6, 2000 | Times Leader
(Wilkes-Barre) | "Manilow wins over First Union Arena audience: The singer's performance of his hits and his rapport with the crowd made his arena debut an overwhelming success" by Alan K. Stout, review of Barry's performance at the First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA, May 5th ("Manilow, dressed in black with a white blazer, consistently displayed good wit and held an easy rapport with the audience ... 'Weekend In New England,' one of Manilow's finest numbers, was one of the show's highlights and was met with a standing ovation ... Near the concert's conclusion, Manilow said he has always enjoyed playing the area and always looks forward to his return... Judging from the reaction of the more than 10,000 in attendance, the feeling is mutual."). |
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| May 5, 2000 | Times Leader
(Wilkes-Barre) | Mellow Manilow: After 25 years in the business, Barry Manilow continues to win awards, keep fame in focus" by Alan K. Stout, interview with Barry promoting his appearance at the First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on May 5th ("As the years have gone by, I've become more and more comfortable and these audiences don't scare me like they used to ... I don't feel I need to do it for their approval [and] applause ... when you stop caring about getting that approval, suddenly you become authentic on the stage ... For me, it's all about the music."; about Copa, "I'm in it 100 percent, I'm OK-ing the sets and OK-ing the costumes and making sure the arrangements are right for the singers and the choreography is right for the songs."). |
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| May 4, 2000 | The Express-Times | "Barry Manilow sings high, wide and handsome" by Todd Dawson, promoting Barry's concert at the Stabler Arena, Lehigh University, Bethlehem on May 12th. Includes an interview with Barry about Copacabana ("I'm on tour until Memorial Day, then I head to Pittsburgh where I'll help set up the 'Copacabana' show which is a big, big multi-million dollar production. It's a two-act musical with 19 great songs. It's a tribute to the Technicolor movies of the 1940s."); Manilow Sings Sinatra; Blank Sings Manilow? ("[Blank would have to] be able to crawl into the lyric, crawl into the song."); surviving show biz ("I have been very fortunate in inheriting material from Clive Davis or writing it. The material is strong and it lasts ... [plus] years of craft and showmanship pay off."). |
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| May 4, 2000 | The Express-Times | "Celebrity spotlight captures stars big and small", about Todd Dawson's impression of interviewing Barry Manilow, as well as a couple of his devoted fans. |
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| May 2, 2000 | The Citizens' Voice
(Wilkes-Barre) | "'Manilow Live' to play the First Union Arena Friday", article promoting Barry's appearance at "the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township", PA, May 5th. |
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