What else? More about The Man

Well, at times I feel like this Fanilow phase may be dwindling and other times, I feel like it could go on forever. Right now I feel like talking about a few of his cover songs.

First, to get it out of the way, I will say the negative stuff. I don't like his cover version of Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. In fact, I couldn't even listen to it all the way through. I like his version of Love Me Tender, but I like Elvis Presley's much more. And I enjoy his versions of Close to You and We've Only Just Begun but I have to say I prefer Karen Carpenter's versions, the former because I like her voice better, and the latter because his version lacks backing vocals;. He definitely could harmonize with himself more on these studio albums.

But the ones I love, and can't stop listening to, are "And I Love Her" by the Beatles and "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" by Elton John. I've always loved the original (or what I assume to be the original) versions of these two, but I absolutely adore listening to the way Barry sings them. He puts so much feeling into them! And they both include the word "do" which for some reason I just love listening to him sing. Certain words I just love hearing him sing, or say. I love the way he says "because". I love the way he sings through his notes, and gives an extra little oomph at the end of some of them. He really seems to be present and giving his all 100% of the time.

I've listened to him sing Bridge Over Troubled Water, Arthur's Theme and Sailing and these are alright versions of these songs. I can't say I'm nutso for them the way I am for the two listed above. But so far I really haven't gotten sick of watching him and listening to him sing, and I haven't run out of new tracks to listen to, which makes me really happy. Certain videos I feel like I could just keep on watching repeatedly, like Even Now at the NEC in 1984 with his hair making him look like Parker Stevenson, and Weekend in New England at the Greek when two fans yell "One More Time" after he's poured his heart and soul into it and ends up dripping with sweat needing to take a short breather. The look on his face when he realizes what they said, and his response, is priceless.

One thing I cannot stand is when he lipsyncs. It's noticeable in at least one of his early TV appearances but it's absolutely blatant on the (fairly recent, from the looks of him) QVC appearance and I was just disgusted. It's just such a turn off and I don't understand why he even bothers lip syncing, just put on the record and sit there and we'll all listen to it!

But I guess that's all I have to say about it for now. I need to go to sleep soon but I want to listen to Sorry at least one more time. He sounds a little like Daffy Duck with all the S words in this song, but that just makes me love him more.