a***@gmail.com
2019-09-12 00:40:19 UTC
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-09-08/barry-manilow-hollywood-bowl-review
An interesting read. Clearly the writer is a fan, because he seems to be familiar with all the standard lines and quips Mr M interjects during his shows.
Beyond that, the reviewer raises interesting questions about Mr M's emotional commitment to his songs v. a workmanlike attitude to getting the job done night after night.
I recently read or watched
(can't remember which - I've been working straight since July 4th with only, like, 5 days off, true story! so I may be fuzzy on some facts. But now I'm on vacation at my beloved Provincetown, so time to stalk this ng LOL!)
an interview with Mr M in which he spoke about singing each song to an imaginary person and how he has ALL THE FEELINGS every time he sings. Which I thought was sooooo romantic.
But the LA Times reviewer raises some legit questions. I've heard Mr M say the same lines many times over. Which to be clear is in no way a criticism. But knowing that, and then reading this review, makes me wonder how Mr M approaches the shows - an emotional journey every night or getting the job done? Or a bit of both?
I remember watching the special invite show at the end of the OLT tour on ManilowTV and was impressed by how scripted it was. I don't think Mr M likes free-form performance too much. Again, not a criticism whatsoever, just an observation.
I find it ironic that Mr M can lead an arena of fans through a full range of emotions - and having sat through a bunch of shows I can tell you that he really does give us ALL THE FEELS ! but at the same time he manages to stay above it all. Just getting the job done.
In a way, I get that - when you work with injured and dying patients there's always a high tension/high emotions, but ask any nurse or doctor who works in that situation and they'll tell you at the end of the day it's a job.
True story: a patient died on my shift last Sunday. I did my best to help the family through the patient's last minutes, and in those moments you do feel a certain profound humanity. Yeah, I don't know what that means either, I'm tired.... Anywaaay, driving home, I stopped at the grocery store. Pulling into the parking lot, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" came on and I'm singing along at the top of my lungs. I pull into a parking space and who is in the car next to me? The family who just lost their loved one.
I felt awful. I felt like a liar. How could I be feeling the depth of their despair one minute then an hour later be rocking out to Journey?
Because that family went through a life changing experience and I was there and I did everything right to help them, but for me it was my job.
So, that's my lame interpretation of the LA Times writer's point. And yes, I guess I did just compare a Manilow show to a patient's death. WTF?
I seriously need sleep.
Also, the review touches on Mr M's supposed dread of performing as well as the alleged Ralph and Alice Kramden backstage drama which resulted from Mr Kief Dance-Mom-ing Mr M to do the Broadway run.
Anyway, the Hollywood Bowl shows - wish I had been there!
Best,
Annie
An interesting read. Clearly the writer is a fan, because he seems to be familiar with all the standard lines and quips Mr M interjects during his shows.
Beyond that, the reviewer raises interesting questions about Mr M's emotional commitment to his songs v. a workmanlike attitude to getting the job done night after night.
I recently read or watched
(can't remember which - I've been working straight since July 4th with only, like, 5 days off, true story! so I may be fuzzy on some facts. But now I'm on vacation at my beloved Provincetown, so time to stalk this ng LOL!)
an interview with Mr M in which he spoke about singing each song to an imaginary person and how he has ALL THE FEELINGS every time he sings. Which I thought was sooooo romantic.
But the LA Times reviewer raises some legit questions. I've heard Mr M say the same lines many times over. Which to be clear is in no way a criticism. But knowing that, and then reading this review, makes me wonder how Mr M approaches the shows - an emotional journey every night or getting the job done? Or a bit of both?
I remember watching the special invite show at the end of the OLT tour on ManilowTV and was impressed by how scripted it was. I don't think Mr M likes free-form performance too much. Again, not a criticism whatsoever, just an observation.
I find it ironic that Mr M can lead an arena of fans through a full range of emotions - and having sat through a bunch of shows I can tell you that he really does give us ALL THE FEELS ! but at the same time he manages to stay above it all. Just getting the job done.
In a way, I get that - when you work with injured and dying patients there's always a high tension/high emotions, but ask any nurse or doctor who works in that situation and they'll tell you at the end of the day it's a job.
True story: a patient died on my shift last Sunday. I did my best to help the family through the patient's last minutes, and in those moments you do feel a certain profound humanity. Yeah, I don't know what that means either, I'm tired.... Anywaaay, driving home, I stopped at the grocery store. Pulling into the parking lot, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" came on and I'm singing along at the top of my lungs. I pull into a parking space and who is in the car next to me? The family who just lost their loved one.
I felt awful. I felt like a liar. How could I be feeling the depth of their despair one minute then an hour later be rocking out to Journey?
Because that family went through a life changing experience and I was there and I did everything right to help them, but for me it was my job.
So, that's my lame interpretation of the LA Times writer's point. And yes, I guess I did just compare a Manilow show to a patient's death. WTF?
I seriously need sleep.
Also, the review touches on Mr M's supposed dread of performing as well as the alleged Ralph and Alice Kramden backstage drama which resulted from Mr Kief Dance-Mom-ing Mr M to do the Broadway run.
Anyway, the Hollywood Bowl shows - wish I had been there!
Best,
Annie