Manilow: Precise, with just enough hits at Mandalay

Kirk Baird

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 9:16 a.m.

As I was picking up my Barry Manilow ticket at will call Thursday night, I discovered there was an extra ticket in the envelop.

"I'm not going to need that," I told the hotel employee. "You guys can have it."

"That's OK," she replied. "It's a complimentary ticket. If you want to make someone's day, give the ticket away in the lobby to someone who doesn't have one."

I opted not to, and instead made my way to my seat to settle in for an "Evening with ... "

It's a shame, too, since someone missed out on an entertaining show.

Opening his Live 2002! tour at the Storm Theatre at Mandalay Bay, where he performs through Saturday, Manilow was in good voice and spirits as he gave a sold-out crowd of around 1,600 exactly what it wanted: the hits.

Well, at least some of them: "Daybreak," "Mandy," "Weekend in New England," "Copacabana (At the Copa)," "I Made it Through the Rain" and "Somewhere in the Night" all managed to make the set list.

However, some others -- "I Write the Songs," "Looks Like We Made It," "Even Now," "Can't Smile Without You" -- failed to make the cut.

Of course it's not reasonable to expect the singer-songwriter to play all of his hits -- that's for Muzak.

And since Manilow touring in support of his latest album, "Here at the Mayflower," it's a foregone conclusion Manilow is going to feature some new material: In this case, five songs, including the album's first single, "Apartment 2H: Turn the Radio Up," which compares favorably with the performer's biggest songs from the '70s.

But on more than one occasion Manilow launched into a fan favorite only to abandon the number mid-song for another selection or, even worse, audience banter.

For example, after demonstrating his early methods of recording backing vocal tracks, he launched into "Could it be Magic," only to abruptly abort the song mid-chorus to continue the discussion.

Granted, the story was reasonably entertaining, but why ruin a perfectly nice hit to tell it?

When Manilow did belt out the tunes, though, it was always with great deal of energy and enthusiasm, especially on "I Made It Through the Rain" and "Mandy," which also benefited from a more muscular musical approach.

Unfortunately, there were moments when the songs seemed a bit rushed, often at the expense of the necessary transition from slow ballad to high-energy pop tune.

It didn't help matters that the concert seemed short -- an hour-and-a-half, tops -- with no encore.

In fact, after Manilow and his band left the stage, most of the audience stood clapping, waiting for them to return and play a bit longer. Instead, there was a moment of confusion as the house lights came on seconds later, signaling the show was over.

Maybe Manilow, ever the consummate showman, was adhering to the showbiz axiom: Always leave them wanting more.

Most of what he did give them, however, was enjoyable enough.