Published: Monday, March 16, 2009
Barry Manilow brings his Vegas show to Everett
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Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Barry Manilow sings Sunday evening during a concert benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at Comcast Arena in Everett.
EVERETT -- Barry Manilow doesn't play outside Las Vegas very often anymore, and really, why would he?
The city is an obvious home for the 65-year-old pop star. Like a casino, he makes his money offering simple, guilty pleasures.
On Sunday night, however, he brought his hit Vegas show to Comcast Arena, playing a one-off benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The career-spanning revue, "Ultimate Manilow: The Hits," was a near-jackpot for the nearly 6,000 fans he attracted.
Manilow delivered hit after hit, smiling broadly and pumping his fist throughout the show. Sometimes the songs made you grin, but usually you found yourself smiling at Manilow himself.
Early in the night, he pulled a woman from her seat. He brought her onstage, and her eyes popped as they danced.
"Have you seen my show before?" he asked her.
"I haven't," she said.
"You're in for a treat," he said, guiding her back to her seat.
"Well, that was romantic," he continued, sitting behind a grand piano, "but that was just foreplay."
OK, admittedly, that was a bit corny. But this is Barry Manilow. What did you expect? The singer has no problem playing the part of a clean-cut showman.
Dressed in slacks and a blazer, he described "American Bandstand" as being like MTV without the swearing, said love can get us through anything, and thanked his grandfather for recognizing his musical abilities. He even played a recording of himself as a child, talking with his grandfather.
Manilow followed that recording with the conclusion of "Looks Like We Made It." Those moments, despite their blunt force, were surprisingly effective.
Other parts of the show went one step too far, however.
The entire revue began with the booming introduction of "Ultimate Manilow!" Graphics that could have been lifted from MTV, really, zipped across a screen. Smoke billowed from behind the stage.
Oh well, no bother. The guy is a Vegas act these days. Over-the-top stagecraft is probably unavoidable, just as his hits were in the 1970s.
On Sunday, fans got a little bit of both. Of course, the main draw was Manilow himself.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
The city is an obvious home for the 65-year-old pop star. Like a casino, he makes his money offering simple, guilty pleasures.
On Sunday night, however, he brought his hit Vegas show to Comcast Arena, playing a one-off benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The career-spanning revue, "Ultimate Manilow: The Hits," was a near-jackpot for the nearly 6,000 fans he attracted.
Manilow delivered hit after hit, smiling broadly and pumping his fist throughout the show. Sometimes the songs made you grin, but usually you found yourself smiling at Manilow himself.
Early in the night, he pulled a woman from her seat. He brought her onstage, and her eyes popped as they danced.
"Have you seen my show before?" he asked her.
"I haven't," she said.
"You're in for a treat," he said, guiding her back to her seat.
"Well, that was romantic," he continued, sitting behind a grand piano, "but that was just foreplay."
OK, admittedly, that was a bit corny. But this is Barry Manilow. What did you expect? The singer has no problem playing the part of a clean-cut showman.
Dressed in slacks and a blazer, he described "American Bandstand" as being like MTV without the swearing, said love can get us through anything, and thanked his grandfather for recognizing his musical abilities. He even played a recording of himself as a child, talking with his grandfather.
Manilow followed that recording with the conclusion of "Looks Like We Made It." Those moments, despite their blunt force, were surprisingly effective.
Other parts of the show went one step too far, however.
The entire revue began with the booming introduction of "Ultimate Manilow!" Graphics that could have been lifted from MTV, really, zipped across a screen. Smoke billowed from behind the stage.
Oh well, no bother. The guy is a Vegas act these days. Over-the-top stagecraft is probably unavoidable, just as his hits were in the 1970s.
On Sunday, fans got a little bit of both. Of course, the main draw was Manilow himself.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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