I Saw Another Legend - Barry Manilow

Just last week, I wrote about seeing Barbra Streisand in concert for the first time. Living Legend. There are just some people you have to see sing live, and Barbra is one of them for me.

Well this weekend for my first time I also saw Barry Manilow in his new limited-run Broadway Show/Concert. Barry is also someone that I just wanted to see sing live.

Barry was…fabulous. While I’m not a “Fanilow,” I am a fan and I knew every single song he sung and dare I admit that I sang right along with the crowd. There were times when Barry didn’t sing at all when he simply let the crowd take over.

Some of my favorite moments were when he sang along side his younger self on Mandy, his signature I Write the Songs, and then when he channeled Donna Summer to sing his own Could It Be Magic but covering it like Donna did back in the day.

But by far the biggest moment for me was I Made It Through The Rain. I’ve related to that song many times through my life, and in fact I’m now shaking my head wondering why I didn’t include it on the playlist for my book Out and About Dad. The lyrics are very healing and inspirational, at least for me and I know many others.

“When friends are hard to find
And life seems so unkind
Sometimes you feel afraid

Just aim beyond the clouds
And rise above the crowds
And start your own parade

I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it thought the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through”

Thank you Barry. What an experience! JIM

PS - Here’s an amazing clip of Barry singing Could It Be Magic with Donna back when she was still with us: