It's a good feeling to have so much stuff to catch up with. Here's the first go-round.
Hi everyone
Hope you all had a great New Year’s Eve.
Now and then I think back to those wild New Year's Eve shows that we used to do at Radio City in New York and at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. They were such fun.
The Florida gigs were very exciting. If you were there – thanks for coming. Being accompanied by Florida’s Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was thrilling. They were so good, I nearly stopped singing and just listened to them!
Feel free to put some of those on ManilowTV. You were so close and yet so far. Not able to take out of state trips for a while. But I know there were a lot of happy people in Florida. Congrats!
Thanks for the nice things some of you wrote about the shows and the great photos too.
The shows at Paris Las Vegas keep getting more and more exciting. We rehearsed a new batch of songs for the show and I’ll be including them now and then. For this show, it’s very difficult to just choose a song and drop it in the way I’ve done at the Hilton or on tours. This magnificent production is so dependent on production (lights, video, moving parts of the stage) that it’s really impossible to just throw in a song here and there without the possibility of people getting hurt. So whenever I want to throw in a new song, it takes hours and hours to re-do lights and all the moving parts. But this week we spent three days inserting songs and they look and sound great.
Is the show that complicated that you can't do more than one version for exactly this scenario? If you have different songs or sequences you want to include on occasion or just want to switch it up once in a while, how about just rehearsing different versions of the show? No, I have no idea what I'm talking about, just throwing it out from how it looks in the audience.
Michael (Lloyd), my co-producer and I are done with the “15 Minutes” album. Fifteen original songs by Enoch Anderson and me with a very current idea – Fame…Can You Take It?
Here’s the liner notes that will be included with the credits of the album:
Fame... Can You Take It?
That’s the question jumping out at us daily from magazine covers, TV news, and online gossip sites. In my world of entertainment, I’ve watched perfectly decent and talented people achieve the success that they’ve been striving for, only to crash and burn as their star rises.
But it happens in every walk of life, not only the entertainment field. It happens in politics, in sports and in daily life when the assistant manager at the grocery store gets promoted.
Fame. Success.
When and if we get it, how do we handle it? Gratefully and inspiringly – or do we choose to go the other way and treat people badly and ourselves destructively?
This original album of songs, written by myself and the brilliant Enoch Anderson, tells the story of someone who wants fame, gets it, blows it and begins again.
Will he make better choices the second time around?
Who knows if he will? That’s for another album.
I hope you enjoy this album. Maybe you’ll see yourself in it. I do.
Barry Manilow
This is a great intro. It's even more timely now for the population at large because of the growth of the internet - Facebook, websites, blogs (like this one), YouTube - and "reality" TV, where people put all of their business on TV. People believe the line of shit show producers sell them, as well as their own fantasies, that all of their problems will be solved if they become famous by any means necessary. You know better than anyone who reads this blog that none of that is true. I wonder - was it ever frustrating talking to fans or whoever in the public who seem to think they know all about your life and think it's perfect and they really didn't have any idea?
The release date remains somewhere between March and May. Stay tuned.
Feel free to narrow that down some. I'm listening to your little stint on Chris Evans as I type this and I'm working on my next commentary. Yes it's good, make sure you stop by. As usual, more analysis, more questions. I seriously want to hear the rest of this record.
I also wanted to let you know that we lost one of our two beloved pups on New Year’s Eve. She was only five. It’s killing all of us, the family, the band, the crew, the singers. Terrible. Please donate to your local animal shelter.
I am really sorry to hear this. I understand. I'm more a cat person and one time we had 3 in the house. I had to make the call to put down the oldest about 3 years ago when she showed the first stage of multi-organ failure. My husband didn't think I had the guts to do it. My eldest daughter was only 2 at the time and didnt' understand why Mommy was trying not to cry and telling her to "say goodbye to kitty". We had a great vet - they all signed a sympathy card for the family. Point is, I understand and my heart goes out to you.
Until next time,
Ditto
Love,
Barry
YBA
Saturday, March 12, 2011
We Now Return You to Our Regularly Scheduled Program, Already In Progress
I'm back! The crisis known as life is past and I can finally take a break and get back to what's important.
The drought is over, hell has frozen and we have new material to discuss!
Stay tuned!
MUAH!!!
The drought is over, hell has frozen and we have new material to discuss!
Stay tuned!
MUAH!!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
It Is Impossible for Anyone to Exactly Discuss Someone's Music
WHAT??? Have you been on the Internet lately??? That's all anyone does is discuss music!
Not exactly. And here's why....
Music, more than any other art form, is more a creative exercise of the heart and soul, than of the mind. The musician compiles something based on what's in their own soul. I've met a number of musicians who sit wringing their hands when they release their record or single or MP3 or whatever it is, based on the decade, waiting for the responses. (Disclaimer: I'm talking about people I've met personally. I have no idea if Barry fits this description, I've never met the man.)
There are all kinds of responses. Some truly love what they hear. Some will say they love it without really paying attention because they love the musician's image, and/or are trying to suck up to him. Some hate it, but are afraid to say so; they are concerned that anything not gushingly positive will hurt the musician's feelings, or will get an outraged flood of emails in their box. Some hate it and say so with gusto. A few others are unfazed; you couldn't pay them enough to give a shit.
Some of these guys hear the responses and think, "Wait, that's not what I wrote! Where are they getting this? They're describing something totally wrong!"
They're half right. The part that's right is the listeners are not responding to what they wrote. They're responding to what they heard. When someone hears a new piece of music they have no choice but to bring a part of themselves to it - what they hear is a combination of the creation and their own experiences. The music becomes something new for each person who hears it.
So when someone genuinely loves a piece of music, the musician found a way to connect with them on an emotional level that a lot of people can't. That's why some of the most personal songs (the ones almost too personal to release) are the most successful. Think "Faithfully" from Journey (never intended to be released) or Barry's "All the Time" - a song that dares to spell out isolation and vulnerability in terms most people are afraid to admit.
On the other hand, if someone hates a piece of music, you can't blame the musician for that, necessarily. No one has any control over the experiences that each person brings to the listening. So if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. You also can't blame the listener for not parotting back what the musician was thinking, or intended. Two different souls hear (feel?) two different things.
The ultimate in a musician connecting with an audience - whether they love the creation or hate it - is if it inspires the listener to create something in response. Look around - YouTube videos, blogs (including this one), karaoke (including the American Idol auditions, which I'm being subjected to as I type this....). Even if the response is critical, or "negative" as some of my musical acquaintances call it, it's still an inspired response. I don't know how many times I had to say it, "Look you got a reaction out of them! Most times they wouldn't care!" It doesn't seem to help but it is the truth.
With the Internet, said musicians can see the writing or video or other "inspirations". How many times do they think, "Geez, is THAT what they got from what I did???"
And the cycle repeats.
Not exactly. And here's why....
Music, more than any other art form, is more a creative exercise of the heart and soul, than of the mind. The musician compiles something based on what's in their own soul. I've met a number of musicians who sit wringing their hands when they release their record or single or MP3 or whatever it is, based on the decade, waiting for the responses. (Disclaimer: I'm talking about people I've met personally. I have no idea if Barry fits this description, I've never met the man.)
There are all kinds of responses. Some truly love what they hear. Some will say they love it without really paying attention because they love the musician's image, and/or are trying to suck up to him. Some hate it, but are afraid to say so; they are concerned that anything not gushingly positive will hurt the musician's feelings, or will get an outraged flood of emails in their box. Some hate it and say so with gusto. A few others are unfazed; you couldn't pay them enough to give a shit.
Some of these guys hear the responses and think, "Wait, that's not what I wrote! Where are they getting this? They're describing something totally wrong!"
They're half right. The part that's right is the listeners are not responding to what they wrote. They're responding to what they heard. When someone hears a new piece of music they have no choice but to bring a part of themselves to it - what they hear is a combination of the creation and their own experiences. The music becomes something new for each person who hears it.
So when someone genuinely loves a piece of music, the musician found a way to connect with them on an emotional level that a lot of people can't. That's why some of the most personal songs (the ones almost too personal to release) are the most successful. Think "Faithfully" from Journey (never intended to be released) or Barry's "All the Time" - a song that dares to spell out isolation and vulnerability in terms most people are afraid to admit.
On the other hand, if someone hates a piece of music, you can't blame the musician for that, necessarily. No one has any control over the experiences that each person brings to the listening. So if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. You also can't blame the listener for not parotting back what the musician was thinking, or intended. Two different souls hear (feel?) two different things.
The ultimate in a musician connecting with an audience - whether they love the creation or hate it - is if it inspires the listener to create something in response. Look around - YouTube videos, blogs (including this one), karaoke (including the American Idol auditions, which I'm being subjected to as I type this....). Even if the response is critical, or "negative" as some of my musical acquaintances call it, it's still an inspired response. I don't know how many times I had to say it, "Look you got a reaction out of them! Most times they wouldn't care!" It doesn't seem to help but it is the truth.
With the Internet, said musicians can see the writing or video or other "inspirations". How many times do they think, "Geez, is THAT what they got from what I did???"
And the cycle repeats.
Big Fun...!
It looks like Fifteen Minutes is really going to happen and soon!
How about getting a few clips out to the public and REALLY get some buzz going???
(I'm volunteering!)
From Barry's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/barrymanilow )
compiled via the newsgroup
From Barry's Facebook page:
Today, Barry invited his management team, agents, BMIFC staff, and
friends to a special listening party of FIFTEEN MINUTES in Hollywood,
CA.
Here is what some of the attendees said about the new album after they
heard it:
“WOW! Not what I was expecting…I can’t wait to hear it again!”
“I was so excited to hear an album of Barry’s with all new and
original songs. It’s energetic and daring, it’s a fantastic pop album
that is sure to be a hit!”
“It’s not often these days you get to listen to a whole record and
enjoy every song… this was one of those records, hands down”
“The album’s story is so very real…I was emotionally invested
throughout!”
“Immensely creative and incredibly relevant to today's world of
celebrity.”
"I kept getting goose bumps! Sometimes it was a touching lyric,
sometimes from a beautiful melody, sometimes from a powerful guitar
solo. I loved that there were so many different elements to the songs,
I was constantly being surprised."
How about getting a few clips out to the public and REALLY get some buzz going???
(I'm volunteering!)
From Barry's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/barrymanilow )
compiled via the newsgroup
From Barry's Facebook page:
Today, Barry invited his management team, agents, BMIFC staff, and
friends to a special listening party of FIFTEEN MINUTES in Hollywood,
CA.
Here is what some of the attendees said about the new album after they
heard it:
“WOW! Not what I was expecting…I can’t wait to hear it again!”
“I was so excited to hear an album of Barry’s with all new and
original songs. It’s energetic and daring, it’s a fantastic pop album
that is sure to be a hit!”
“It’s not often these days you get to listen to a whole record and
enjoy every song… this was one of those records, hands down”
“The album’s story is so very real…I was emotionally invested
throughout!”
“Immensely creative and incredibly relevant to today's world of
celebrity.”
"I kept getting goose bumps! Sometimes it was a touching lyric,
sometimes from a beautiful melody, sometimes from a powerful guitar
solo. I loved that there were so many different elements to the songs,
I was constantly being surprised."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
You Rang?
Time got away from me these holidays so my traditional sappy New Years post is going to come on Groundhog Day after General Beauregard Lee looks for his shadow. I figured I had to get back on the bandwagon after my visitor log showed some old friends stopping by that I hadn't seen in a while. (You know who you are, you left-coasters, you.)
I had a hard time looking at the feedback from Barry's Florida shows. So near and yet so far. I couldn't help crossing the line from happy for the people who got to go to green with jealousy. Best fan synopsis was by Peachy: http://peachysplace.blogspot.com/2011/01/helloooooo-jacksonville.html
And regarding certain "other" reviews.....
First, please see my original post from WAAAAAAYYYY back when I started the blog.
The Critics
Second, when I see wholesale stupidity in the name of entertainment journalism, I think back to when I was a teenager. As a kid, I went to science fiction conventions with my Dad who was a part-time rare book dealer. (Not those "media" cons that center around TV shows and movies, we're talking real science fiction by serious writers of the golden age.) Major authors gave talks, fielded questions, etc. I got to meet Isaac Asimov a few times at these gatherings. He liked putting on a show, so I learned to prefer to see him from a distance. He was a five-star pervert, I was a fifteen-year-old girl. Enough said.
Anywho, like any great artistic creator, there was always a time when someone panned him. It seems no matter how great an artistic creation, or how esteemed the track record, you're going to get the occasional Bronx cheer from some douche who Just. Doesn't. Get. It. Asimov was no exception. My favorite quote of his was his stock response to those who created negative reviews. I recreated it as a calling card below. I strongly recommend having something like this made up in fine linen stationery, engraved ink, matching envelopes, and distribute where necessary. Gets the point across and feels classy at the same time.
Just got done seeing February's installment of Manilow TV. Hey, it's going to be a while before I see a live show so this is what I've got. Not to beat a dead horse, but the "Sinatra" album release party was nothing short of orgasmic. I could live on bread and water and that type of show. Barry puts his heart into a performance but the Sinatra record, Paradise Cafe, Mayflower, all show a completely different part of that same heart that doesn't come out as much in the shows showcasing his own hits. Dont' know the word - it's just different. All the more infectious.
Have a great week, kids. Try to stay warm and/or dry if you're on the east coast anywhere.
I had a hard time looking at the feedback from Barry's Florida shows. So near and yet so far. I couldn't help crossing the line from happy for the people who got to go to green with jealousy. Best fan synopsis was by Peachy: http://peachysplace.blogspot.com/2011/01/helloooooo-jacksonville.html
And regarding certain "other" reviews.....
First, please see my original post from WAAAAAAYYYY back when I started the blog.
The Critics
Second, when I see wholesale stupidity in the name of entertainment journalism, I think back to when I was a teenager. As a kid, I went to science fiction conventions with my Dad who was a part-time rare book dealer. (Not those "media" cons that center around TV shows and movies, we're talking real science fiction by serious writers of the golden age.) Major authors gave talks, fielded questions, etc. I got to meet Isaac Asimov a few times at these gatherings. He liked putting on a show, so I learned to prefer to see him from a distance. He was a five-star pervert, I was a fifteen-year-old girl. Enough said.
Anywho, like any great artistic creator, there was always a time when someone panned him. It seems no matter how great an artistic creation, or how esteemed the track record, you're going to get the occasional Bronx cheer from some douche who Just. Doesn't. Get. It. Asimov was no exception. My favorite quote of his was his stock response to those who created negative reviews. I recreated it as a calling card below. I strongly recommend having something like this made up in fine linen stationery, engraved ink, matching envelopes, and distribute where necessary. Gets the point across and feels classy at the same time.
Just got done seeing February's installment of Manilow TV. Hey, it's going to be a while before I see a live show so this is what I've got. Not to beat a dead horse, but the "Sinatra" album release party was nothing short of orgasmic. I could live on bread and water and that type of show. Barry puts his heart into a performance but the Sinatra record, Paradise Cafe, Mayflower, all show a completely different part of that same heart that doesn't come out as much in the shows showcasing his own hits. Dont' know the word - it's just different. All the more infectious.
Have a great week, kids. Try to stay warm and/or dry if you're on the east coast anywhere.
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