Opening Act

[vmc...@aol.com]

We have just found out we are having a comedian as the support(opening) act for the concerts over in the UK. I feel sorry for these people as no one wants them and they are largely ignored.
Most fans would prefer Barry sitting on a stool singing a couple of extra songs, especially as he only seems to do 90 mins these days, which to be honest is not very long for the money paid. Nobody is expecting a 2hr+ show like he did when he was younger, but 90mins is the shortest show I personally have seen for a top act away from Vegas. Still, we turn up and enjoy every minute. Moan over!
IreneH

[Brenda M]

Welcome to our world in the States, Irene!

I know - kinda sucks - but why not focus on the positive...namely,
Barry's earning some good karma by giving a performer some needed
exposure.

Another positive: if you're running late, at least you won't miss
Barry. That almost happened to me once ... My friends and I drove from
Cleveland to Pittsburgh in an ice storm, and the show started just as
our butts hit the chairs. Way too much stress!

Brenda

[Suzan]

Who is the comedian? Is it the same comedian that was so poorly received last time?

Some of Barry's opening acts over the years have been very well received (Gordie Brown, Curtis Stigers, Uncle Festive, Kyle Vincent) while others (the infamous juggler, the mentalist, the half-clad girls of "Sunset Strip" from the Hilton) have been blatant failures with the crowd.

[KJM]

Well this will my first time of seeing an opening Act, have looked the guy up, as I had not heard of him.

I don't mind an opening act at all, my husband will be pleased, he is only accompanying me, well because he loves me, he is not a Barry admirer per se, what is it Barry jokes about men in audience, were you dragged here?

Anyway I hope the UK audiences are respectful of this artist, and do not boo, or slow clap, or yell out profanity, we are their as admirers of Barry, so therefore should show his chosen support act respect at all times.

To not in my opinion would be letting Barry down, end of.

[vmc...@aol.com]

On Friday, April 20, 2012 4:41:27 PM UTC+1, Suzan wrote:
> Who is the comedian? Is it the same comedian that was so poorly received last time?
>
> Some of Barry's opening acts over the years have been very well received (Gordie Brown, Curtis Stigers, Uncle Festive, Kyle Vincent) while others (the infamous juggler, the mentalist, the half-clad girls of "Sunset Strip" from the Hilton) have been blatant failures with the crowd.

He is an older British comedian called Jeff Stevenson and as I say I have never heard of him. We have had comedians a few times over the years. The problem with comedy is that it is subjective. Some like slapstick, some witty one liners etc. Singers are better. Curtis Stigers and Straight No Chaser seemed to go down quite well.
IreneH

[vmc...@aol.com]

I quite agree KJM. As much as I would rather not have an opening act, I think it is very rude of those who talk all the way through.
IreneH

[Angel]

I`m not so disappointed at missing a concert this time around now.He`s
an okay, average comedian. You know, not that funny, He`s been on the
circuit for some time. If you are going to more than one show, I
suggest you hit the bar while he`s on.

[Jane]

On Apr 20, 4:21 pm, vmcg...@aol.com wrote:

> He is an older British comedian called Jeff Stevenson and as I say I have never heard of him. We have had comedians a few times over the years. The problem with comedy is that it is subjective. Some like slapstick, some witty one liners etc. Singers are better. Curtis Stigers and Straight No Chaser seemed to go down quite well.
> IreneH

Anyone would be better than The Mentalist!

Jane

[Brenda M]

You know, here's another perspective:

I just think we're all pretty lucky Barry isn't touring with some
other performer (you know, like Rod Stewart is doing with Stevie
Nicks, or like Elton John did with Billy Joel a few years ago).
Wouldn't it suck if there were more than one headliner? Then we'd be
lucky to see Barry for an hour, if that.

Brenda

[shado...@gmail.com]

If other major recording artists did what Barry does regarding
tickets. Give their fans the chance to get seats down in front.
Just think how many fans would be really ticked off.
Linda

[Kittenmommy]

On Apr 21, 8:32 pm, Brenda M <bmesku...@aol.com> wrote:

> I just think we're all pretty lucky Barry isn't touring with some
> other performer (you know, like Rod Stewart is doing with Stevie
> Nicks, or like Elton John did with Billy Joel a few years ago).
> Wouldn't it suck if there were more than one headliner?  Then we'd be
> lucky to see Barry for an hour, if that.

Are you seriously saying that a Billy Joel/Barry show or an Elton John/
Barry show wouldn't be made of awesome and win?? Because OMG!

[marvin]

>
> You know, here's another perspective:
>
> I just think we're all pretty lucky Barry isn't touring with some
> other performer (you know, like Rod Stewart is doing with Stevie
> Nicks, or like Elton John did with Billy Joel a few years ago).
> Wouldn't it suck if there were more than one headliner?  Then we'd be
> lucky to see Barry for an hour, if that.
>
> Brenda

I would not say that two headliner performers together necessarily
suck Brenda.. When Elton and Billy teamed, I read that there were some
duets and funny lines between the duo that were priceless.
Personally, I think if Barry was to pick another performer to
headline with, the greatest on stage chemistry would be Barry together
with Bette Midler. Not only can Barry and Bette exchange jokes about
their old days working together, Barry and Bette can perform certain
songs better as duets then either one can do alone. Both Barry and
Bette like elaborate choreographed numbers, funny lines and many
costume changes and I think such a show would be delightful for the
fans of Barry and Bette and could see the two of them having a lot of
fun with such a tour. I personally would love to see them team on
tour. I also think that Barry would cherish working on tour with Bette
and maybe being her musical director again for such a tour.
I think Barry mentioned in an interview that he would like to tour
with Neil Diamond, which also might work out well, since both artists
have many female 50 plus fans who would sell out the shows and can see
Barry and Neil due justice on each other's songs.
However, to me the best pairing of any artist with Barry would be
Bette Midler- and I hope it happens. Marvin

[Brenda M]

Yeah, but what if you don't happen to like one of the performers?
You're totally screwed.

Besides, Barry fills such a unique niche ... I can't imagine who would
be a good match for him. Billy Joel? No way - I've been to a lot of
Billy Joel concerts, and it's just a different crowd. Elton John?
Same thing.

And this is going to sound really awful - and you know I love Barry -
so just hear me out. Truth is ... I don't think a lot of performers
who like to think they're hip would want to be "tainted" with the
Manilow name headlining next to their own.

Sorry.


Brenda

[Kittenmommy]

On Apr 22, 5:55 pm, Brenda M <bmesku...@aol.com> wrote:

> > Are you seriously saying that a Billy Joel/Barry show or an Elton John/
> > Barry show wouldn't be made of awesome and win??  Because OMG!
>
> Yeah, but what if you don't happen to like one of the performers?
> You're totally screwed.

I was thinking of the Epic Piano Playing that would no doubt happen
more than anything else.

> Besides, Barry fills such a unique niche ... I can't imagine who would
> be a good match for him.  Billy Joel? No way - I've been to a lot of
> Billy Joel concerts, and it's just a different crowd. Elton John?
> Same thing.

Yeah, that's true.

> And this is going to sound really awful - and you know I love Barry -
> so just hear me out.  Truth is ... I don't think a lot of performers
> who like to think they're hip would want to be "tainted" with the
> Manilow name headlining next to their own.

That's an excellent point, and I bet that (unfortunately) you're
right.

> Sorry.

Don't be. It was a thought, that's all.

I'd still love to see those Epic Piano Duets/Duels, though!

[Brenda M]

I think of Billy Joel as being a really amazing pianist.

IMO, Barry plays "percussion" piano. He pounds out the chords as
they're needed (and, once in awhile, buckles down and plays something
more intricate, as he does with "If I Should Love Again.")

But I've never thought that playing the piano was his greatest
talent. I think he's good, but I'd never say he was brilliant at it.
Frankly, I don't think he'd say that either.

Brenda

[shado...@gmail.com]

Brenda's correct. Barry didn't start playing piano till
he was 13. Now it's not like my niece Katja who started
on the piano at the age of 4 or 5. However at the end of
4th grade all the 4th graders were asked if they wanted
to learn to play a musical instrument. Katja chose the
flute since her one friend chose the saxophone. Every
year since Katja started playing the flute she's been
first chair. A few years ago she tried out for the
Westmorland Youth Symphony Orchestra. It's mainly open
to high school students. She got a spot in the orchestra.
Out here is Southwestern PA we have honors bands. Where
kid tryout and if they get in they pratice with other
kids for a concert. Last year she got a slot in the
Indiana University of PA (IUP) honors band. That is
open to high school student. But 7th and 8th graders
can tryout. Katja did a she was first chair flute.
A couple of weeks ago when I saw her I found out she
tried out some other band type thing. She got in and
in the middle of August she goes to Las Vegas for this
music thing. Katja has given up the piano for good. Katja
goes to Franklin Regional Middle School in Murrysville PA.
Linda

[Suzan]

> Every year since Katja started playing the flute she's been
> first chair. A few years ago she tried out for the
> Westmorland Youth Symphony Orchestra.

I hope your niece continues with music, even if it's just a hobby, not a career. Both my kids are in band; Jen plays clarinet, KC plays alto sax. Jen just returned from the annual band contest in Corpus Christi, and had a great time.

When kids first start playing instruments, there are some STRANGE noises (squeaks & moans that sound like a dying farm animal) but it's amazing how quickly they progress. Recently Jen had a few friends over for a sleepover, and they all brought their instruments. We had two clarinets, one who played flute and sax, an altosax/keyboard player, and another flute/ piccolo. At first everyone was upstairs just screwing around, playing the theme from Harry Potter or scales, but suddenly, I realized I was hearing a wind quintet playing Pachelbel's Canon in D minor! (That's the famous classical piece you probably know from the wine commercials.) I just stood in awe and listened. :-D

[Kittenmommy]

On Apr 23, 8:42 am, Suzan <suzan.obe...@gmail.com> wrote:

> At first everyone was upstairs just screwing around, playing the theme from Harry Potter or scales, but suddenly, I realized I was hearing a wind quintet playing Pachelbel's Canon in D minor! (That's the famous classical piece you probably know from the wine commercials.) I just stood in awe and listened.  :-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

[Kittenmommy]

On Apr 22, 8:21 pm, Brenda M <bmesku...@aol.com> wrote:

> I think of Billy Joel as being a really amazing pianist.
>
> IMO, Barry plays "percussion" piano.  He pounds out the chords as
> they're needed (and, once in awhile, buckles down and plays something
> more intricate, as he does with "If I Should Love Again.")
>
> But I've never thought that playing the piano was his greatest
> talent.  I think he's good, but I'd never say he was brilliant at it.
> Frankly, I don't think he'd say that either.

Really? From what I've seen of him, I think he's pretty darn good!\

But of course I'm no expert! :p

[Suzan]

> > Pachelbel's Canon in D minor

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

Too funny! (Also, he's got a point about the cello part....)
Thanks for the laugh.

[Kittenmommy]

You're very welcome! :D