First & Farewell

To compliment his historic last concert, Barry authorized the release of his first reheasal session at Carroll's Studio videotaped before he went on his first tour in 1974. This black-and-white footage is the first time Barry was ever recorded on film and offers viewers the rare opportunity to see the start of his career. Album Description

Too Great to be Farewell

(2 DVDs with some bonus features)

DVD #1 is the first rehearsal at Carroll's Studio, in November 1974. It's a great show and is something like watching a home movie in visual presentation. The music is great though.

DVD #2 (about 1 hour 49 minutes) begins with a brief history commentary by Barry, in his home studio I believe, telling about this "final" tour. The DVD then opens in concert, at The Pond, Anaheim, California, November 2004, with Barry saying a few words again to the audience and jumping into an opening medly. I'm guessing there are about 20,000 people here. There are great and beautiful Barry classics included, as always, such as "Even Now, I Made It Through the Rain, Somewhere Down the Road," and others. Included are also: "Why Don't We Live Together" which I haven't heard very often. It's a rockin' song with an almost gospel flare to it. Also included here is a film clip of Young Barry in the `70s playing and singing "Mandy", which moves to Seasoned Barry, singing "Mandy". There is a fantastic version of "They Dance" from Barry's album "The Mayflower," with 2 of his dancers doing a really super dance routine while Barry sings. Barry also sings a few of the commercial jingles he wrote in the old days, but he said he drew the line when they asked him to do a douche commercial. He kibitzes back and forth with the audience between numbers and is witty and charming, as always. He obviously appreciates EVERY SINGLE PERSON who comes to his concerts and he obviously LOVES what he's doing. He also NEVER fails to say something appreciative about the musicians and backup singers who accompany him.

"Brooklyn Blues" rocks and includes Dave Koz, an outstanding sax player, who has an album about to come out in about 2-4 weeks. Dave and George Shelby do an absolutely outstanding sax-jaz duet in this extended version of "Brooklyn Blues" while Barry sings and plays piano. Whew! That was awesome!!! He also does both versions of "Could It Be Magic," soft and uptempo, and both are fantastic! He does "River," which I've only heard on his "Christmas Love" album--beautiful song! Great extended versions of "Dancin'Fool" and "Copa" and love the red velvert jacket/leather pants look. The concert finishes with Barry singing a medley while reminding us that we are all ONE people--in brotherhood--LOVE--BEAUTIFUL! This finale is such a rush of positive energy!

The sound and visual clarity on the second DVD is great. Plenty of close up shots that make you feel like you're right on stage with Barry. (The first DVD, being what it is, is expectedly like watching an old home movie). The selection of songs, the acts, and the whole show is just friggin'fantastic!--money well spent! As great as all his CDs/DVDs are, this one is just OUTSTANDING! On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it 15!
November 1, 2007

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