Cash Box July 3 Reviews

CASH BOX JULY 3 REVIEWS TALENT REVIEW just prior to the start of the concert. Actor Richard Gere was on hand at the star-studded ceremony to accept the check, while AmFar president Dr. Marvin Silverman later addressed the sold-out crowd during a Kenny G/Peabo Bryson break in the music. The tree-lined, open-air theatre proved the perfect setting for Yanni's By Stan Lewis multi-layered, internationally inclusive music, which tends to conjure up visual images of nature even on record. The orchestra, which also incorporated the work of Yanni's regular eight-piece band, added energy and bite to the big, sweeping anthems (which often felt like awe-struck movie flight sequences), and warmth to sentimental ballads like "Until The Last Moment" (from Yanni's latest Private Music release. In My Time). The Greek composer cut a striking figure dressed in a white suit against a stage full of orchestral black (a fact which was enthusiastically noted by squealing members of the audience), but graciously offered the spotlight to excellent soloists throughout the two-hour set. Par- ticularly stunning was the work of violinist Karen Briggs, which ranged from electrifying, wild crescendos on "Within Attraction" to stately elegance on the Greek rhythm-driven "Marching Season," which also Kenny G featured great work by longtime Yanni drummer Charlie Adams. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK CITY, NY—At the The energetic and ultimately inspirational performance was clearly recent Radio City concert in which Kenny G headlined, Columbia artist enjoyed by all involved. Yanni would do well to invite the orchestra Peabo Bryson opened the show. During a very exciting 45 minutes, back again sometime. Bryson's set included two duets, one being the theme from Beauty And The Beast and the other, "I Celebrate My Love," the big hit he had with TALENT REVIEW Roberta Flack. The singer once again dazzled the crowd with his soulful and inspired vocals. After a 30-minute intermission. Arista saxman Kenny G began to Barry Manilow play beautiful music until the sound system failed, at which time he By Fred L. Goodman introduced his band. When the music started again, it occurred to me that the Music Hall was a fairly large room for a six- or seven-piece jazz-fusion/New Age group to be working, but things started to swing pretty good. Later Peabo Bryson came out and joined Mr. G on "By The Time This Night Is Over" and the audience roared. After a few numbers Kenny introduced his boss. Arista president Clive Davis, who stood up and basked in the spotlight for a moment. Kenny then introduced his wife but couldn't find her. So he began to play again. The band was cooking and so was Kenny G, but not on stage. He was playing in the third balcony, then worked his way down through the second balcony, mezzanine and finally marching down the center aisle of the orchestra standing on a chair and playing to a standing ovation of 5,000 happy people. But that wasn't the end of the show. Kenny came out for an encore and played another one-half to three-quarters of an hour for a total of over two hours. Kenny turned that 5,000-seat arena into a intimate jazz ANAHEIM ARENA, ANAHEIM, CA—It is hard to believe that club. He was senational! Barry Manilow has been making hits for nearly 20 years. Way back in TALENT REVIEW 1974, he hit #1 with "Mandy," and now, millions of records later, he's back to shower his fans with smash after smash in his "Greatest Hits" show. Yanni What better act to premiere the spanking new Anaheim Arena, Southern California's latest all-purpose venue for concerts, wrestling By Hilarie Grey and home of the Mighty Ducks hockey team. With a capacity of 19,400, THE GREEK THEATRE, LOS mostly all the seats were taken for this opening event, and Manilow did ANGELES, CA—With the help of a not disappoint. full orchestra, New Age pianist /com- The Arista recording artist thrilled the crowd for over two hours with poser/matinee idol Yanni created such favorites as "Looks Like We Made It," "Somewhere Down The some surprising atmospheric magic Road," "Ships," "Weekend In New England," 'Tryin' To Get The during his "Symphonic Concert '93." Feeling Again" and "I Made It Through The Rain," among others. The event, sponsored by Los Angeles Besides the likeable litany of tunes, Manilow's easygoing and engaging radio station KTWV ('The Wave"), stage manner also comes into play, especially when he does a duet with also proved magical for AmFar (The an audience member on "Can't Smile Without You." The lucky woman American Foundation for AIDS Re- also received a videotape of her performance with her idol. search), as Yanni presented a check for A gospel choir joined Manilow and his band for the "I Write The the proceeds of the station's Wave Aid Songs" encore, with the audience chiming in as well, capping off a 6 record (on which he participates) satisfying evening of romantic pop at its best..

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