Review: Barry Manilow live

****
The O2

A US JUDGE ruled recently that noisy neighbours should be forced to listen to Barry Manilow. Based on last night's show, extending this treatment to today's more half-arsed pop stars might be an even better idea.

Of course nobody should take Barry too seriously. He himself wore a wry grin throughout, though that could have been the Botox. But there were moments that brought home how many tricks modern performers could pick up from this old master.

The awesome power of a key change, like in Mandy for example, or reducing a ballad such as Somewhere Down The Road to a genuinely touching a capella finish. Not to mention the flair. During Copacabana alone, adoring fans were treated to a hilarious shimmy from the legend, dressed in a bright yellow toreador's jacket. Other moments of brilliant campery included a tiny lift at the front of the stage that slowly lowered Bazza down to the crowd.

It's easy to sneer at the musical worth of such a flamboyant showman, but to see a man so polished that he simply glides into songs like Could It Be Magic was both entertaining and downright inspiring.

- Oliver Keene