• Barry Manilow: Music and Passion Las Vegas Tickets

by Erika Bayer-Polak

Who hasn’t sung Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” at some point or another? Well, if you generally only sing the song in the shower or car because you’re too uncomfortable letting the general public, or certain loved ones, know your true fondness for the tune, imagine being able to sing it unabashedly with about 1,600 other people. Yes, it can be quite a feeling.

Manilow’s show, “Manilow: Music and Passion,” is more than a concert, it is a true Las Vegas show with dancing and sets and boas and all of those Las Vegas-themed props that come to mind. Considering many of Manilow’s hits have been somewhat mellow tunes, the show is surprisingly up-beat and energetic. While he still sings his universally known crooner melodies, such as, “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs” and “Can’t Smile Without You,” among others, he manages to keep the pace of the show lively.

It is also quite a sight to see the sexagenarian swivel and thrust his hips like he is conjuring Elvis’ spirit — yes, Elvis played the showroom numerous times — and as he does so, the audience who cross every point on the age spectrum react and respond enthusiastically.

An unusual aspect of the show is that throughout the concert Manilow receives standing ovations by a decent portion of the audience after each song, granted this may or may not occur during every show, but that is beside the point. The amount of gratitude and respect his audiences have for him is beyond the norm, but not out of line for a man who has had such a distinguished and lengthy musical career, and it probably helps that his voice is as strong as ever.

During the show Manilow, not surprisingly, covers most, if not all, of his major hits, but he also takes time to let his backup singers shine, which not all performers do, and this seems to say quite a bit for his character and ego. His backup singers are deserving of their time in the spotlight, they can dance and sing with the best; their performance during a medley of songs from the 1960s is terrific.

If you plan on seeing this show, of course it would help if you enjoy at least one of Manilow’s songs, it will give you something to look forward to, but even if you do not know of one of his song’s that you are fond of, chances are, you will still have a blast. It is hard to not get into his show, it is more than a concert and probably more fun than most people expect, even his die-hard fans, and that is a tough sell, but he manages.

• Barry Manilow: Music and Passion Las Vegas Tickets

• Bette Midler Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas Tickets

by Mara M. Mannella

“I am, after all, the People’s Diva!” Yes she is, and it shows in The Showgirl Must Go On taking place at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. Bette Midler takes the audience on a wild ride through her career, all beginning with her rocky arrival via tornado to the showroom. For 90 minutes the Divine Miss M captivates the audience with a stage presence that is the perfect mix of Vegas glitz and genuine emotion.

Set in a plush and spacious venue, there is plenty to admire before the show even begins. The stage is set for Bette with a large video image of a billboard featuring the star erected in what looks like a rural Las Vegas desert scene. Comfortable rows of seats consistently fill the theater with fans, which is also home to Elton John and Cher. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the memory of your evening on film, provided by feather boa toting photographers that circle the theater pre-show. The lobby lights flash and people move to their seats. The diva is in the building and the show is about to begin.

After a windy entrance on to the stage, Bette Midler welcomes her fans from all walks of life in her signature saucy manner. The show is non-stop entertainment not just from the diva herself but the gorgeous ladies who accompany her on stage. The Caesar Salad Girls, which drive home the fact you are bearing witness to a true Vegas production, are a talented group of dancers. Showcasing their skills from a full-blown kickline to graceful ballerinas, these ladies are also mean with a motorized wheelchair as you’ll see!

Gone are the days of strictly glitter and feather headdresses, these showgirls offer all that and more. The stage is also shared by The Staggering Harlots, Divine Miss M’s trio of bad girls, which she informs the audience she found all in the same lineup! Entertaining the audience with their antics throughout the show they add a spice to the already spicy program Bette Midler provides. A talented orchestra seated on stage guides the show flawlessly as it transitions from big band to symphonic and back again. The production gains depth with the inspiring and heartfelt vocal performance the timeless star delivers. As the blockbuster hits are performed the songs seem to gain new perspective and meaning to the audience whether it’s your first time seeing Bette Midler or your 100th.

The Las Vegas strip seems to have struck gold by adding a performer like Bette Midler to their catalog. The show, while not appropriate for a young audience due to some colorful language, has a nicely balanced array of humor and raw talent. The high energy show can be seen 5 nights a week at The Colosseum with dates scheduled until 2010. According to the singer Caesars Palace gave her “an adjustable mortgage”. Bette Midler is an icon and her show in Las Vegas is a perfect fit.

• Bette Midler Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas Tickets

• Gordie Brown Las Vegas Tickets

by Erika Bayer-Polak

If you are looking for a lively fast-paced show filled with music, comedy and impersonations, Gordie Brown is a sure bet for an enjoyable evening. And even though his show is at 10 p.m., he keeps his act rather clean by late show standards. Unless you are an austere puritan, walking away from this show offended is impossible.

Brown manages to seamlessly morph his solid voice to correspond to a wide variety of performers, from Chris Isaak to Roy Orbison, from Willie Nelson to Tracy Chapman, from M.C. Hammer to 4 Non Blondes. Brown also seems to make a point in impersonating performers who had their heydays in the 1950s to performers who are presently at the top of their game. Covering such an assortment of acts is certainly a sure way to appease all generations in the audience.

While most impersonators sing the songs of other performers and leave it at that, Brown takes this a step further and crafts his own humorous lyrics. At times the lyrics mimic the performer’s notable tendencies, such as Joe Cocker’s famous wrenching movements, and at other times they spoof everyday or societal issues, such as Viagra or PMS. And when Brown’s delivery of his parodies benefits from him picking up a guitar and playing, he does.

Rather than purely focusing on singers, Brown also impersonates and pokes fun of several actors including a hilarious version of Christopher Walken auditioning for a prominent film role, and of course, the president. Brown’s version of President Bush can make even the staunchest Republican cackle, especially seeing that his portrayal is detached from any truly political stance.

Brown’s versatility shines through during the performance. Anyone who can flash a smile that no one would deny is a Tom Cruise look alike, and immediately transition to a faultless John Wayne bow-legged stagger deserves some acclaim. And seeing that the V Theater at Planet Hollywood can be described as an informal and friendly showroom by many standards, this only aids in Brown’s delivery and his penchant for interacting with his audience. The Gordie Brown show is definitely a worthy endeavor if you are looking for an evening of great laughs.

• Gordie Brown Las Vegas Tickets

• The Musical History of the King Las Vegas Tickets

by T. Feld

A shoe-polish black forelock dangles precariously over his forehead. The hips gyrate and swivel with unerring accuracy. His eyes beckon the crowd with a knowing twinkle. The upper lip curls into a familiar quiver. Showcasing a powerful vocal range throughout all the standard hits, you may think Elvis really is in the building after seeing Trent Carlini do his thing at the Sahara Showroom.

More than just an impersonator or tribute performer, this son of Italian immigrants breathes life back into the King himself by uncannily recreating the music, mood and moves of an authentic Presley performance. An audience spanning generations filled the 800 seat venue nearly to capacity at a recent Saturday night show that evoked the spirit of a genuine Elvis Presley concert, complete with screaming, swooning women rushing the stage for a chance to touch their idol.

Trent Carlini provides a true retrospective of the King’s career and song catalog, beginning with early standards such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound Dog”, continuing into the “Jailhouse Rock” and “Viva Las Vegas” Hollywood hits and building to the crowd-pleasing “Burning Love”. Carlini also weaves in “Love Me Tender”, wandering into the front row to romance a couple of ladies and inviting more toward the stage for a kiss on the cheek, provided they’re 21 — yes, he really does ask the girls who appear under-age!. The show includes all the King’s standards, even a spot-on rendition of “Little Sister”, the track later immortalized again by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.

Two big screens provide background footage and narrative that fill the spaces between sets allowing Carlini to make his costume changes from 50’s zoot suit style Elvis, to black leather clad Elvis, to the studded-cape King. Sometimes videos simply provide set-up for the next musical sequence, as in the Las Vegas Strip stock footage that runs through “Viva Las Vegas”.

In another interlude Carlini sends a love note to fans, revealing the double-entendre of the show’s sub-title. Using clips from his own youth interspersed with performance video, he explains his lifelong passion for Presley’s music and persona. He view’s his ability to channel Elvis as a gift. Using this gift to deliver the music and message worldwide provides fans with their “Dream King” and makes Carlini “King” of his own dreams.

A long list of accolades and honors set Trent Carlini apart from the ordinary impersonator. For the past decade he’s headlined the Annual Birthday Tribute to the King, performing with some of Elvis’ original band-mates. Global Record’s proclaimed him “Entertainer with the Most King-like Charisma”. “Legends in Concert” producers brought Carlini to Vegas in the early 90’s and he appeared in that show for much of the decade. In addition he’s performed all over the world and been featured on television shows such as “Entertainment Tonight”, “Late Night with David Letterman”, and “The Tonight Show”.

Beyond all the aforementioned accomplishments, Carlini also earned ultimate bragging rights by winning ABC TV’s “The Next Best Thing” competition. An experience documented in detail via video montage, and a title which he proves worthy of throughout the night’s performance. Carlini’s entourage includes an energetic and professional five-piece band with back-up singer, as well as a quartet of dancers with costumes evolving from midriff-baring poodle mini-skirts to feathered head-dress showgirl outfits and later, go-go boots with hot-pants.

Crowning off the evening as only the King can, Carlini dramatically annoints half a dozen monogrammed scarves with sweat and passes them out to adoring female fans flocking the stage during the show’s “Fools Rush In” finale.

Upon exiting show-goers have the opportunity to purchase scarves plus other memorabilia, as well as get a Polaroid snapped with the “Dream King” himself. Your ticket stubs entitle you to a $2.00 double shot in souvenir glass at any Sahara bar, and an extra $5.00 chip when you put down $20.00. Not a bad deal. After 75 minutes in the presence of The King, who wouldn’t feel lucky!

• The Musical History of the King Las Vegas Tickets

• American Superstars Las Vegas Tickets

By Guy Chapman

Elvis Presley. Tim McGraw. Rod Stewart. Christina Aguilera. Michael Jackson. These five names are considered to be some of the most popular and well-known acts in the music industry. Each artist on their own is able to command a sizable ticket price when going to see them in concert, but on the Las Vegas Strip, there’s a way to see all five of these acts in one show… or close enough to provide an entertaining spectacle of lights, dance and song. With the “American Superstars” show at the Stratosphere, this production showcases an entertaining group of tribute artists that provides a concert that wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

“American Superstars” brings together a concert experience that provides a musical journey like no other, covering five decades of music through a handful of diverse genres from pop, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. As the stage lights shine brightly and the band warms up to kick off the hour and a half show, each tribute artist works the audience to entertain the crowd with a selection of their respective singer’s musical highlights.

The biggest challenge of successfully impersonating a celebrity not only resides in how well the individual artist’s respective talent can be performed, but also in capturing those personalities, the posturing, and their overall look. When you go to “American Superstars”, you will definitely see Elvis shake his hips, Michael Jackson glide across the floor with his moonwalk, and hear Christina Aguilera belt out that musical range that she is known for. True to Las Vegas style, there is also an ensemble of showgirls who provide back up dancing and vocals for the artists, as well as having a chance to individually shine between each performance. Also backing each act is a full band who rocks out each hit alongside the featured artist.

Rounding out the cast is Darren Lee as Elvis Presley, Chad Givens as Tim McGraw, John Anthony as Rod Stewart, Lorena Peril as Christina Aguilera, and Damian Brantley as Michael Jackson. The cast is very enthusiastic about their performances, encouraging patrons to join in on the fun. Their interaction helps to bring the audience into the spotlight themselves, whether it is coming out into the audience while performing, prompting people to sing along, or even some light-heated joking with the crowd. The tribute artists get into their roles with such a fun attitude, it’s easy to be caught up in the overall good time.

The finale of the show brings together the entire ensemble of artists and dancers for one last upbeat number, before heading out to the showroom lobby for a chance to meet and take photographs with the cast after the performance. It’s a unique and fun opportunity to get a memorable keepsake by sharing a moment with an accurate representation of some of music’s greats.

“American Superstars” brings a fun and family-friendly experience to any Las Vegas visit, providing enjoyable experience for any age. While paying to see a concert for “the real thing” (much less all five artists) may not be able to fit into everyone’s budget, this a great way to enjoy a group of talented singers and dancers as a “mega concert” that is a one of a kind performance.

• American Superstars Las Vegas Tickets

• Fab Four Mania Las Vegas Tickets

By Terri Feld

“Help! I need somebody…” to tell me, is it real or is it lip-synching?! “Beatlemania” redux in this incredible live performance that replicates every note in the original key. Playing nightly (Mon-Sat. 7:00pm) in the Sahara Showroom, David Saxe’s current Las Vegas production, “Fab Four Mania”, does, however, distinguish itself from the late 70’s Broadway hit “Beatlemania”. Entering the showroom off the Party Pit Blackjack lounge which boasts lava lamps, tie-dye t-shirted dealers and a Beatles soundtrack (all in full swing when the show lets out at 8:15PM), show-goers immediately get the vibe, taking a photo-op in front of the groovy, painted VW mini-bus located at the theater entrance. Beatles trivia questions displayed on large monitors stage right and left amuse and occasionally stump audience members already seated, awaiting the show’s start.

Functioning as M.C. for the evening, impersonator/comedian Paul Terry gives audiences his best Ed Sullivan, introducing the Lads from Liverpool, and padding the costume changeovers with routines that manage to evoke late-60’s colloquialisms, while also satirizing the genre with a knowing wink. The faux Fab Four hit the ground running from their opener, offering up some of the Beatles’ earliest hits while the crowd keeps busy throughout, providing syncopated claps during “8 Days a Week,” twisting at their seats for “Twist & Shout,” and singing along with many other standards.

The next act segues into psychedelic Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour territory. Crank up the distortion! While paying accurate tribute to the most recognizable hits from those years, the set might benefit even further by pulling out a gem less often re-visited, such as “Fixing a Hole,” and reminding audiences that not every song in the Beatles catalog evolved into muzak. Ringo does get his due in Fab Four drummer Tony Felicetta’s sweet rendition of “A Little Help from My Friends”.

Before the final act Steven Craig (A.K.A. John Lennon) takes to the piano for a solo “Imagine”. While all the fans in attendance heartily concurred with Craig’s heartfelt expressions of grief and outrage over Lennon’s fate, the maudlin speech may momentarily take the show’s tone down a notch more than it deserves. Remarks emphasizing Lennon’s life, rather than the nature of his death, might enhance the effectiveness of this set piece. Not to mention that “Imagine,” a selection from Lennon’s post-Beatles solo career, digresses somewhat from the “Fab Four Mania” concept. Beatles tracks such as “Let It Be”, “Strawberry Fields”, “Come Together” all aptly evoke Lennon’s personal spirit and philosophy equally well. Nevertheless, Craig’s “Imagine” gives fans an accurate and respectful recreation of the beloved classic track. And the choice not to insert any cheesy video montages, but rather let the music stand on its own, proves correct.

Further kudos rightfully go to FFM’s video producers. Instead of trotting out oft-seen shots such as the Beatles arrival in the U.S., or visiting the Maharishi, this show provides a number of off-beat selections. Nostalgic clips of the real Penny Lane and surrounding area expand the reminiscent quality of that number. A spliced together Beatles song medley performed by British men/women on the street proves another clever resurrection from the vintage vault.

Frank Mendonca III as Paul, and real-life Liverpool native Gavin Leslie as George round out the group along with the aforementioned Felicetta (Ringo) and Craig (John). Together these four talented musicians in their own right present the total package of looks and sound. It’s all here: Paul’s south-paw, upside-down bass, John’s trademark splay-legged stance, Ringo’s hang-dog look belying the redoubtable technique behind the backbeat, and George’s shy forays to the forefront for his ingeniously economical guitar riffs. Since the music never really went away, the songs throughout “Fab Four Mania” strike a chord with both original Beatles fans and their offspring — the perfect respite from “A Hard Day’s Night” in Las Vegas!

• Fab Four Mania Las Vegas Tickets

• George Wallace Picture Gallery (coming soon)
• George Wallace – Show Tickets
• George Wallace Performing At: Flamingo Hotel and Casino

The George Wallace Show Gets Better

Reviewed May, 2006 by Phil Arnold

The George Wallace Show in Las Vegas has been in town for a little over two years, and it has gotten better. The show was good two years ago when I saw it, but I think Wallace is even more comfortable with Las Vegas audiences than he was before. In many ways he plays the audience like a skilled fisherman.

He evaluates the audience as he goes, and adjusts to the audience. If you go and see shows on back-to-back nights you are likely to see 75% different material than you did the night before. What will you see when you go see George Wallace at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino? You will see a very funny show. You know that Wallace is going to talk about “I be thinking,” how he has been observing people and situations, and he will offer some common sense, but really funny suggestions and solutions.

He will pick on some people in the audience, joking good-naturedly about audience members, often related to various professions. If you are a lawyer, or work at an airport, you might get picked on. And if you are a prison guard who is wearing an orange jump suit, you might get picked on. It is going to vary considerably from night to night. But one common ground is that George Wallace is going to be funny.

The night I saw the show, there was a gospel singer, who looked awkward coming out of the audience to sing, until she let her voice float across the big room. And the guy sitting next to me was a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator who did about five minutes of material after Wallace came down into the audience to have some more fun.

George Wallace emphasizes you never know what you are going to see at the G.W. show. It could be Frank Grata doing Rodney Dangerfield, and getting a lot of laughs, or it could be Chris Rock getting up on stage and doing 30 minutes. I think Wallace just loves the way his show varies, and the very real possibility somebody unexpected will show up at his show. In a lot of ways, I think his show is probably as old school Vegas as it gets right now because you never know who may be in the crowd, and who you as an audience member might get to see at the show.

But the main thing is Wallace is really funny, and not just to one group of people, but across cultural and age divisions. Everyone can feel comfortable with George Wallace, except when they are laughing so hard they are starting to hurt. There is another bonus about George Wallace. Yes, he really works hard to promote his show, which has been alive for over two years, when it was originally expected just to last a few months. Don’t forget your camera for the meet and greet after the show, or you can always buy a T-shirt which he is all too happy to sign.

But mainly he is an extremely friendly man on stage, somebody that almost everyone in the audience can identify with, and laugh with. In case I haven’t said very much about George Wallace and his show, let me give you this opinion. This is the best comedy show in town, bar none. This is the best late show in town of shows that only has the late show time slot. And in my opinion, the George Wallace show is the second best show in town.

If I want to go see a funny show in Vegas, this is my first choice. You never know what exactly you may see. You never know who you may hear, but one thing for sure, you know you are going to see a very funny show, and that makes this show such a great value. I rate this show a 9.5 out of a possible 10, and say check it out if you are in Las Vegas and have a chance to see it.

• George Wallace Picture Gallery (coming soon)
• George Wallace – Show Tickets
• George Wallace Performing At: Flamingo Hotel and Casino

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• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Picture Gallery (coming soon)
• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Show Tickets
• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Performing At: Aladdin Hotel and Casino

Fab Four Beatles Tribute

Reviewed May, 2006 by Phil Arnold

So you are going to see a show by a band impersonating the Beatles. What do you suppose the show is going to be like? I figured it would be some guys in wigs who would play a few songs and well, that would be it.

The Fab Four is better than that. Let’s get too it. The best thing about the Fab Four, a Beatles tribute band is their sound. They sound like the Beatles, and they do a great job of playing the Beatles music. Listening to this show was like watching and listening to a musical autobiography.

The first part of the show, introduced by an Ed Sullivan impersonator, was from the early Beatle’s years. You got to see and hear Help, Hard Days Night, and I Wanna Hold Your Hand. Now when I was kid, the babysitter used to come over and play the Beatles on the radio, and wish she could go see the Beatles when they came to town. Of course back in the mid-60s the teenaged girls of America could wish to see the Beatles, and desire to see their concert, but they would never have heard the Beatles over the screams.

And so Sunday night at the V-Theater in early December, I had an advantage over the screaming masses of young girls in America in the 60’s. I could sit back and enjoy the Beatle’s music. Yes, imagine the Beatles in a club playing and playing and playing some more. Imagine getting to hear the guitars, the keyboards, the drums, the bass, and the harmony of the group. And that is what I enjoyed most about the Fab Four.

I didn’t care about an actor looking like Paul, or an actor being John Lennon exactly. No, I got to hear them sing and play. And listening to the Fab Four makes you realize that the Beatles were probably the best Rock and Roll music writers ever…with apologies to Pete Townsend.

At times the show could be hokey, as the audience stood and danced during Twist and Shout. And yes, maybe it was a little strange when the audience stood and swayed their arms left and right, singing along with Hey Jude. It was a pleasure to hear this Tribute band skillfully play the music of the Beatles. Yes, you listen to the Fab Four and you remember how good the Beatles were.

There are three phases to this show. The early years with the already mentioned songs, the middle years in which the Beatles come out dressed as Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. I think we can call this the psychedelic Beatles where they sing Get By With A Little Help From My Friends, their costume song, and Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. It was great to sit back and hear the music from one of my favorite parts of Rock and Roll history.

And then they came out in their late Beatles costumes, Abbey Road type clothes. We got to hear songs like Yesterday, Hey Jude and Revolution. This show was good enough to be my favorite show that I saw on my last trip in Las Vegas. I give The Fab a 9.0 out of a possible 10, and of all the shows I have seen in Las Vegas, probably around 50 different shows, I consider The Fab Four to be a top five Las Vegas Show. Go and see it in a club type setting like the Beatles should have been seen in.

• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Picture Gallery (coming soon)
• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Show Tickets
• Fab Four Beatles Tribute Performing At: Aladdin Hotel and Casino

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• Clint Holmes Streaming Video: Dial-Up or Broadband
• Clint Holmes Show Tickets
• Clint Holmes Performing At: Harrah’s Hotel Casino

Clint Holmes at Harrah’s Las Vegas

Reviewed February, 2006 by Nancy Hruska
Though Vegas is known for shows where nearly anything goes, few entertainers would dare to mix musical genres such as Opera, Salsa, Broadway, and Jazz. Clint Holmes, however, has taken that road less traveled and the result is revolutionary enough for Rolling Stone to call it, “One of the most complex musical shows ever.”Any recognition such as that could cause a performer’s head to swell, but Clint Holmes views his talent a little differently. He constantly attributes the success of his show to his cherished (and most dynamic) band, his family, and the cultural diversity of his upbringing. His energetic and deeply personal show is a journey through music that takes even Las Vegas by surprise.This show is dedicated to all one of a kind entertainers and artists. Slides of Bill Cosby, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. envelope the showroom. Clint opens with some songs by greats such as Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Ray Charles before immediately introducing his sister and singer, Gayle Thompson-Steele then his best friend and band conductor, Bill Fayne.After the formalities, no time is wasted before a little Latin Heat is turned up. Steel drums warm up the room with bongos, congos, horns, and Lead Guitarist Jerry Lopez’s impeccably strummed Flamenco chords. During the song “Canta con Migo,” it’s difficult to see how many band members there actually are, as they fluidly move in and out with new instruments constantly reinventing their outrageous sound. And Clint, no doubt, is the first to boast his band is nothing short of eclectic, able to play anything.The mood slows a little for Clintis original song, “1944″ about how his parents met. “Mom taught me how to sing correctly, Dad taught me how to enjoy it,” he proudly states. A personal trip into his upbringing is centered around his parents’ inter-racial relationship and a tribute to this controversial issue during such a time takes form in a piece from Broadway’s “Golden Boy,” sang by Clint and the lovely Natalie Caprano.

And the musical culture doesn’t stop there. Toes start to tap and fingers snap as audience members are taken deep into the Jazz world (Clint’s Father’s influence). Clint and his sister have a comical banter around “skat singing,” where Clint takes an ordinary bib-id-ibop to a new indescribable level. Then Clint’s Mother’s hand in his musical range is just around the corner when a piece from Phantom of the Opera is let loose.

With eight original songs, one in which even dares to express the feelings from his own brush with Cancer, Clint Holmes is not afraid of taking chances. Audience members are moved from one end of the musical spectrum to the other, experiencing electrifying sound, culture, and one of a kind showmanship. Nothing hides behind special effects to which all that one sees is what makes Clint Holmes, Clint Holmes- timeless music, band mastery, and humbly instilled true talent.

• Clint Holmes Streaming Video: Dial-Up or Broadband
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• Clint Holmes Performing At: Harrah’s Hotel Casino

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• Neil Sedaka Show Tickets
• Neil Sedaka Performing At: Orleans Hotel and Casino

Neil Sedaka

Reviewed June 15, 2005 Nancy Hruska

“I’m the king of Tra La La’s and Doo Wop’s,” Sedaka humbly confessed. It looks as though even after 4 decades of recording, Neil Sedaka is still able to make a rose-tossing full house at The Orleans cry and sing along to “Breaking up is Hard to do.” The truth is, no matter which age or demographic one belongs to; the heavy weight Pop pioneer will belt out some velvet anthem of which everyone knows the words.

His name sounds familiar to at least everyone with a record player, but who is Neil Sedaka? Oh just another face in the music industry; one of which had his songs recorded by the lesser known Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Not to mention a managing hand launching the careers of Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Paul Simon.

But no one should assume his seasoned career would give him any less energy on stage now than 40 years ago. The man can soft shoe and sing smooth hits as though it’s his first day in showbiz.His opening song had such classic visual and audio beauty with only Neil’s glowing grand piano, a vibrant celestial background, and a quiet ballad of his own naked notes. But business really began once the stage lights lit up his full band of strings, horns, drums, keyboard, and back-up singer to deliver the song on everyone’s agenda: “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.”

To resist singing along to that one is futile. It would be impossible to stuff the work of countless platinum gold records and hit singles into one show, but Neil sure tried. One favorite hit “Calendar Girl” frenzied the crowd not only with the tune itself, but with the gigantic music video playing in the background. In 1961, “Calendar Girl” became the very first music video ever, complete with lovely ladies prancing around a strapping gent with a flawless voice (wonder who that may be?).

Another more sentimental song demonstrated Neil’s family values as he sang along with a video of his vocally gifted daughter in “Should have never let you go.” And although this was Neil’s show, he wasted no time for a song that celebrated the talent of one of his own favorite musicians, the late Dina Washington, as he sang along with visual and audio clips from her collection. But these examples are only a sliver of the life and energy the show has to offer. Yes, Neil sold 30 million albums in two years. Yes, he has recorded in 5 different languages.

But if one asked Neil Sedaka how he became so successful, how he has touched to hearts of multiple generations with music, he may bring things back down to earth with a quote he shared during his show, “Songs are like my children, they live and breathe every time I sing them.”

• Neil Sedaka Show Tickets
• Neil Sedaka Performing At: Orleans Hotel and Casino

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