Happy Birthday Miss Nora Aunor

Sophisticated Memory

Have been so bust and exhausted I haven't had a chance to write about Natalie & Sheena. Cole & Easton. On Saturday night, went to see Natalie Cole at The Canner, and....I am glad I saw her. She is in my to-watch bucket list, having been a fan of her singing and her records since the late 70s. The timber of her voice is still clear - it is unique and reminiscent of a lady trumbet. However, you can really feel her vocal strains. On more than a couple of occasions, you can hear her struggle with some of the higher notes. And there was even one song where she was singing off-key for two lines. I think she was experiencing some kind of health problem. She commented that she couldn't stand and sing and was asking if the audience minded if she just sat. I don't mean to sound that it wasn't a good show, though. I had a good time, and it is still a once-in-a-lifetime treat to see her "duet" with her father in "Unforgettable," which got a thunderous applause. When she launched into her foray in The Great American Songbook, her show soared. There is nothing more serene than listening to her sing "The Very Thought Of You" under a clear spring evening as I look at the twinkling stars. I appreciated her bossa nova songs, but I don't think the rest of the crowd did. And it was a pleasant surprise to hear her say she was singing a song she normally doesn't sing: "Lollipops and Roses," and then I realized that it was the 21st of may, so maybe it was her way of acknowledging Ate Guy's birthday. For the latter part of her show she did her 70s pop hits. She jokes that this is her "Pre-Natalie Colo" phase, before her "Unforgettable" period. I sometimes forget what a great soul singer she was/is. When she sang "Mr. Melody" I realized how much I loved that show growing up. She launched into her "Sophisticated Lady" songs, like "This Could Be (An Everlasting Love)" and "I've Got Love On My Mind." I loved it. The show could use more focusing, I thought. The older crowd who liked her in standards didn't seem to appreciate her soul side. I saw more than a few "Senior Citizen" type leaving. The show is more for an all-inclusive Natalie Cole fan who appreciates her in all her genres. All in all, I am thankful that in my and her lifetime, I got to see her sing live. I'll be taking this memory with me forever. 

Ready To Take A Chance Again

Pipo wanted to see a show, and I suggested we go to the half-price booth (similar to TKTS) to see what they had. Well, amongst the choices, the one we gravitated to was Manilow. Barry Manilow. I have seen him before at Radio City Music Hall, but this, of course, is a different show. Of course, I have loved and know most of his songs by heart. Some even have emotional meaning for me. We got cheap mezzanine seats, but we were told to get there early. Imagine our surprise because we were actually seated in the orchestra area, albeit the side. We definitely got the hook up, probably because...beauty is beauty. On to the show - it was fantastic. Barry was in great voice, and though he was never a "voice" even when he was young, there is a certain raspiness and huskiness now to it that I kinda dig. And for his age, it has stood up pretty well. His face has been facelifted to death, and you can barely see his mouth moving when he is singing (super zoom cameras are banned) but his voice certainly fills the room. And he sang his hit after hit with all the love and emotions he could muster, and you cannot help but get caught in all of it. It was quite emotional for me. My favorite is "Weekend In New England," and I have grown to appreciate that song more after I heard his "back story," about it being Barry falling in love in Provincetown, MA where we used to vacation. The technical aspects of the show were great, too - you see where your money went. I thought the audience would be sparse, but the place was pretty full. I loved the show, frankly, and would be ready to take a chance on seeing it again and again...