Barry Manilow - Manilow: Music and Passion - Passionate but always personable, Barry Manilow...

Passionate but always personable, Barry Manilow celebrates his 100th performance at the Las Vegas Hilton with a stylish, witty show originally taped in December 2005 for a PBS special. Happy to be taking up residence in the same Hilton theatre where Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, and Elvis Presley all played, Manilow spreads his joy with a wildly enthusiastic audience. Beginning with his opening number, "It's a Miracle," Manilow spends most of the evening on his feet and close to the crowd, seldom sitting behind his piano except to wrap fans in the comfort of dreamy, hook-filled ballads. His take on the pretty "Daybreak" highlights the song's lushness and positive outlook, while "Somewhere Down the Road" comes across as a mature plaint about love and loss. A mini-tribute to hit songs of the 1950s proves hugely entertaining, starting with the American Bandstand theme (indeed, there are lyrics), featuring Manilow's backup singers as typically star-struck teens. The '50s suite includes Manilow's version of pop standards "Venus," "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," and "Unchained Melody," all of which evoke a warm nostalgia. Going autobiographical, Manilow sings several songs ("Do You Know Who's Living Next Door?") from his Here at the Mayflower album, reflections on a unique childhood in a Brooklyn apartment building. Manilow pays homage to Elvis in a stirring reading of the King's "If I Can Dream," reminisces about bygone days of being an opening act for the likes of Helen Reddy, and brings the show to a close with a tuneful "I Write the Songs" and high-octane "Copacabana." A second disc contains a number of special features, including Manilow explaining his reasons for giving up the road to play exclusively at the Hilton. A "making-of" featurette about the PBS program is followed by three songs that didn't make it into the concert disc, plus a music video for "Unchained Melody" and photo gallery. --Tom Keogh

Track Listing: Disc 1 - Opening, It's A Miracle, Opening Medley:, -Daybreak -Somewhere In The Night -This One's For You, Mandy / Could It Be Magic?, I Made It Through The Rain, Here's To Las Vegas (Intro), See The Show Again, Can't Smile Without You, Fifties Medley: -Bandstand Boogie -Venus -Love Is A Many Splendored Thing -Unchained Melody, Mayflower Medley: -Brooklyn Blues -Do You Know Who's Livin' Next Door? -Come Monday -They Dance! --Boogie Wonderland --Hot Stuff --Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, Brooklyn Blues (Reprise), Weekend In New England, If I Can Dream, Somewhere Down The Road, Here's To Las Vegas, I Write The Songs, Copacabana (At The Copa), It's A Miracle (Reprise), One Voice (Encore), DISC 2 Inside MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION, Making the PBS Special, Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again, Even Now - Performed december 17, 2005, Unchained Melody music video, Photo gallery

Customer Reviews:

One of Manilow's best!
I saw this performance on PBS & loved it, so I was very excited to a copy to watch at home. Each song takes you back to the first time you heard it. Great memories!!
--2006-11-05

A true Legend
Let's face it - Barry Manilow is a legend. After all, you don't last 30 years in a business as tough as the music industry AND continue to perform to sell-out crowds over and over again. For those people who don't have the chance to see Barry in person (unfortunate as that may be), this DVD is the NEXT best thing. Barry's Vegas show is phenomenal - a true showcase of his warmth as a human being and his tremendous musical talents. For the price of this DVD, you simply cannot go wrong!
--2006-10-05

Very Very Surprising
I really bought this DVD on a whim. There is no question why this production won an Emmy. "One Voice" the very last song in the concert is worth the price of DVD. Seriously stunning.
--2006-09-13

Mega-Vegas Manilow
Barry's phenomenal high-energy Manilow Mega-Vegas extravaganza! With over 27 superb musical arrangements, spanning approximately 1 ¾ hours, Barry croons our favorites, like the eternally sexy "Somewhere in the Night." He does a super-cool rendition of Mandy where he plays and sings along with a video clip of himself from his very early days. Wait till you hear the `50s "Bandstand Boogie" and "Venus," with Barry Avalonio, not to mention "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" and "Unchained Melody"! You'll see a big stage Vegas set come down from the ceiling in Copacabana, `cause it is cookin'! Barry's got fans rockin' in the audience from age 20 to 120 for this show, as a matter of fact, they hardly ever sit down! He does this DVD so well, you feel like you have a front row seat and he's singing directly to you.

And if all that's not enough, there's a 2nd DVD, almost an hour long, full of behind-the-scenes extras, like tours, interviews, rehearsal, stage setup, photos, and three additional song clips. Whaddah sweet deal! This guy just keeps getting better all the time, a magnificent DVD from a super guy who truly values his fans. Just when you were happy with the 110 % he always gives, he raises the bar to 130 % !

No wonder this DVD set hit 3 times platinum barely a month after it's release! "Doctor, they won't have ta give ya something to get that feelin' again" if you get this DVD! And you'll want to watch it over and over again.

--2006-08-02

Superb, as always!
It's a true blue spectacle miracle come true! Barry Manilow on DVD doing his Las Vegas show for those of us who cannot get tickets to this spectacular! Decade after decade, album after album (now CD's), Barry Manilow is a true entertainer, a true showman along the lines of Sinatra and Elvis. Whether seeing him in person or listening in the car radio, there is never a doubt that he is giving at least 110%. This DVD performance is no exception. Like a fine wine, his voice has mellowed and richened with age. He is a generous entertainer, not afraid to let his back up singers and band have their time in the spotlight. His audience loves him and he definitely returns the feeling. The DVD is fast-paced and chocked full of songs touching on his many styles---from his early "Midnight Special" hits to his current "back in the 50's" song catalog. The audience is boisterous and appreciative and Barry plays off them well. Slip the DVD into the player, dim the lights and enjoy the smooth and stylish songs from the always classy Mr. Manilow.
--2006-07-29

Barry Manilow - Manilow: Music and Passion

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