Review by C.J. Bunce
Earlier this year songwriter, singer, and pop star legend Barry Manilow eclipsed an Elvis Presley record for shows in Las Vegas, but the bigger deal is that the charismatic performer who made his name in the 1980s is still a hit at 80. Proof of that star power can be seen in his latest Christmas special (the third of his career), A Very Barry Christmas, originally aired on NBC but now streaming on Peacock. Manilow wows the crowd as only he can do, and it’s the kind of one-hour show that will have staying power for future holidays.
Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Liberace, Tony Bennett, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Cher, Barry Gibb, Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Bette Midler–and yes, Elvis Presley–all achieved a similar star status for establishing singular styles, with only Presley of that group not surviving to have a long career. Whatever the stuff that made these performers so successful, Manilow has it in spades. It’s not just his appealing act, it’s the fact his voice sounds the same as it did 50 years ago. That point is highlighted when Manilow shifts from Christmas favorites to three Manilow staples: “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” and the showstopper “Copacabana.” On “Mandy,” the set starts with an early 1980s film version of Manilow singing “Mandy,” soon joined by the current iteration taking over, followed by a live/recorded Manilow-Manilow duet! And yes, the voice sounds the same.
Many singers phone in Christmas albums and Christmas specials. But you won’t find that here. He’s a performer who really knows how to perform for the crowd. Manilow doesn’t seem to break a sweat as he delivers this show as he has done hundreds before, and he makes it look easy. Even the songs he zips through qualify as rousing, some netting standing ovations from the live audience. Of the earlier singers who had similar fame, his style seems the most like Tony Bennett, especially during Manilow’s cover of “Favorite Things.” The audience is with him all the way.
Manilow jazzes up the classic Christmas songs, with a particularly good version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” He wraps the show with typical Vegas show act bits, pulling in the crowd to sing along, including what he calls a “cornball” Christmas medley.
Sharon Hendricks, Melanie Taylor, and Kye Brackett bring a polished sound and a spirit of fun as his back-up singers, along with a strong band, his go-to group at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas where Manilow chalked up more than 640 shows, and where the Christmas special was filmed.
For those who watched Manilow in Prime Time variety shows five decades ago, prepare for a fun deja vu. If you’re ready to take a chance again on Christmas specials, turn it on for some great sounds this week. Watch A Very Barry Christmas now streaming on Peacock.
