Full Audio: Mariah at Verizon Theatre, Houston
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 4:06AM EST

The full audio of Mariah's concert at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 is below. You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Many thanks to Ross for the audio!

01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. It's A Wrap 13. My All 14. Obsessed 15. We Belong Together 16. Hero  --  FULL CONCERT

And here's a video of Mariah's amazing performance of "It's A Wrap" live! Thanks to Hugo!


And "Heartbreaker" and "Honey."

Source: Ross | Hugo

Fan Photos/Reviews: Mariah at Verizon Theatre, Houston
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 3:19AM EST

FAN PHOTOS
[Thanks to Edward, Monica, Sierra, Tina and Hazel!]








FAN REVIEWS
Edward Farinas (Tour Correspondent): "Having been to a previous concert, I had mixed expectations of how good this particular concert was going to be. After all, it has been nearly four years since the last show, it was a smaller production, a smaller venue, and definitely two or three less costume changes short compared to The Adventures of Mimi Tour. Hearing other people's reviews and that of actual critics I was hoping against hope that our girl would do well. She did more than just do well. She blew me away. The intimate environment of the show was an added bonus. It was special, as if she was just performing for us, her fans. Like many Lambs, I've noticed that her vocals as of late haven't been as strong as we've grown used to over the years. She has played with difference nuances of her voice and textures that have made up for it, especially with Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, the album of which this tour is in support of. Do they always work live? Not always. But it felt less Mimi and more Mariah. A diva returning to true form, but with added comedic value. She was relaxed, at home, and her voice was strong and rested. Her vocal acrobatics were clear and reminiscent of her sound during the late 90s. It was absolutely beautiful. Her performance highlights included My All, Fly Like A Bird, It's a Wrap, and We Belong Together. The last of which I felt she sang better than she even did during her Grammy award performance. I did feel that the set list did lack a few songs, but it felt like a quality over quantity type of night. Bottom line: I loved every minute of it! I didn't feel as if she tried too hard to do anything outside of which she does best. She sang her butt off to songs which she wrote. At the end of the day, that's exactly what I paid to see. No fireworks, no extravagant sets, just an extravagant woman with an angelic voice."

Bryan Taft (Tour Correspondent): Mariah was absolutely incredible. I love how real she was. She was funny, witty, and beuatiful. Her singing was just excellent. She brought the house down with We Belong Together, Hero, The Impossible, and Fly Like a Bird. Mariah is truly an incredible artist with a big heart. I love every bit of the concert. Mariah was a trooper. It was hot in that place, but she got thru it. I love you Mariah. I have been with you since day one, and will never leave your side! Your music has touched me in so many ways! Bryan from H-town!"

Gary Lindsay: "When the curtain opened up and I saw her way up high on the swing, I was a tad bit starstruck. This is my second time seeing her, but it still didn't register that this is the most talented woman on the earth 20 feet in front of me! As she descended (with the Butterfly intro playing) the venue erupted in cheers (including myself). From then on, Mariah owned Houston. She said she felt right at home, and we made sure she felt that way, especially because she was gracing us with a talent never to be matched. She went through old and new crowd favorites and kept us mesmerized the whole time with her vocal abilities, song choice, and outfits. After 'We Belong Together,' I was praying that she would not leave without singing 'Hero.' I was personally going to escort her back on the stage if she tried not to sing it! When the doors opened up and she came out we all went W-I-L-D! She sang it like it was '93, thanked us, blew kisses, and disappeared into the darkness. I had to stand there to catch my breath and let it all register. That woman is amazing!"

Monica & Sierra: "The show was amazing. As true life-long fans, we loved the venue she chose because it was so intimate. We would've loved to hear some more classics and newbies ('Vision of Love,' 'Up Out My Face,' 'I'll Be There' feat. Trey Lorenz) but other than that, we loved it and we can't wait until she visits Houston again. Oh and her wardrobe was fabulous! She looked amazing!"

Emmanuel Blanco: "The concert was awesome! She was great. She put on a great show. She looks so beautiful. Her voice is spectacular and she is so funny on her diva moments she gives. Anyways, it was a good show, and I would love to see her again in concert! The theater was kind of small but it was ok, the show was great though! Love you Mariah!"

Haze Fabon: "Rydaznartist went on stage around 8pm, and I got crazier because that meant MC was next and minutes later she came out! She descended from the ceiling looking like an angel and I, looking at her in disbelief of being in her presence, screamed Mariah on top of my lungs as the people in front of us cover their ears due to my high pitched scream! As soon as Mariah started singing we went wild, literally the whole time she was singing daydream interlude we were screaming on top of our lungs hoping that Mariah would acknowledge each and every one of us. After she sang 'Shake It Off,' she told us that she loved our energy and that Houston was the warmest place she's ever been the whole tour, and that set off the 'scream button' again we were just so happy that MC loved Houston. I would say Touch My Body, Always Be My Baby, Obsessed, and We Belong Together were the crowd's favorite, for me every song she performed was my favorite! She was pitched perfect, whistle notes were on point, sure she lip-synched some parts but she pulled it off! I would have to say the highlight of my night was when MC looked at me and smiled, as I smiled back, jumped up and down, and gave her a heart sign with my hands and ring pop on my finger. The entire concert was great, the band, the singers, the dancers, and of course Mariah was a groove smash hit wonder! I left the concert venue with a huge smile and became a much bigger lamb! One of my dreams came true on February 17, 2010 a great way to start off my year (I could die tomorrow! LOL), I encourage everyone to check out her show, you will not regret it!"

Tina L.: "I was so happy when Mariah entered on stage she looked and sounded flawless for the 'Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude.' Next, she sang 'Shake It Off," I always do the dance she does from the video when she sings this song, and I was happy to know I wasn't the only one in the audience who does the dance for 'Shake It Off,' and 'Obsessed.' She always does an amazing job singing 'Fly Like A Bird' and the transition between that song and 'Make it Happen' was perfect. 'Angels Cry' was dedicated to the people of Haiti, I was happy to hear the people around me singing this song back to Mariah. The crowd was on their feet and singing word for word when Mariah sang 'Always Be My Baby' the song is a classic and never gets old and Mariah still sings this song as passionately as if she was singing it for the first time. There were some parts that Mariah sang 'The Impossible' and at the end of the song she started just belting and singing and it was so amazing and too hard to describe the extent of what she was doing, amazing to say the least. 'It's a Wrap,' 'Obsessed,' and 'We Belong Together' performances were phenomenal! I could barely hear Mariah sing because the crowd was singing every word of the song back to her. 'Hero' was the encore last night, I was very happy because it doesn't really feel like a Mariah concert without hearing this song, it's like the victory song after winning a game, it has to be done. I am very very happy about going to this concert because I feel Mariah gave well over 100% at this concert. There were moments in the show when I was like 'wow Mariah really is giving us a show tonight' and 'wow i wasn't expecting that.' Mariah owned the stage tonight and took every opportunity to connect with the audience, even though the security was kinda bleak and this one guy near me was taking his job too seriously, it was still amazing to be that close to Mariah! I screamed and jumped up and down every chance I got and every time Mariah came by I would wave and scream and blow her kisses, I was very happy to see her blow them back, followed by a smile and wave."

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Press Review: Mariah at Verizon Theatre, Houston
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 18-Feb-2010, 4:57AM EST

Mariah Carey gives Houston the diva treatment
By Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle

Mariah Carey sang, of course, during her Wednesday night show at the Verizon Wireless Theater. It's one of the reasons we love her. Her voice veered from sexy coos to those trademark high notes.

At times, Carey also sang -- as in, "Sang it, girlfriend!" -- most impressively during the gospel-swoop of Fly Like A Bird, the kicky kiss-off It's a Wrap and We Belong Together, the mammoth song destined to soundtrack proms, weddings, graduations and probably a few funerals.

But what makes Carey more than just another multi-octave superstar is her knack for playing the diva. It's silly and ridiculous and probably smells like sugar-cookie perfume. It also wouldn't work if she wasn't in on the joke.

Carey may be demanding, but she makes fun of herself at the same time.

"I know it's a little bit over the top." she said of her first of at least half a dozen sparkly outfits. Carey descended from a swing wearing a gold dress that was equal parts sweet 16 and dream wedding, quickly removing the train to reveal a shorter skirt (of course).

Later, she had a "cleavage meets champagne situation." while taking a sip and paused for a hair and makeup redo -- onstage. The crowd ate it up. Screams of "I love you, Mariah!" were frequent.

Carey was flanked by a multitude of impossibly chiseled dancers throughout her 90-minute set, but she rarely engaged in any moves. Rather, she fluttered across the elaborate, pink-hued stage, which recalled something from the Lawrence Welk era. There was an episode in a kimono, which found her re-positioning a wind machine; and she walked back and forth as dancers swung above her head (like a more modest, dryer version of Pink's Grammy performance).

She dedicated new single Angels Cry "to those who are still suffering in Haiti" and told fans they could find the new version, a duet with Ne-Yo, on her upcoming Angels Advocate remix disc.

"I'm not sure when it comes out," Carey quipped. ( It's due March 30.) "Call the label. I sleep too late."

Some of the best moments were those with groove. Honey is still playful and smooth; Always Be My Baby had the entire crowd singing along; and It's Like That was a punchy party started.

Feel-good ballad Hero came along and closed the set, sending hands in the air and BFFs into swaying hugs. Well played, Carey.

But wait. What about Someday? New single Up Out My Face? Butterfly? Fantasy? I'll Be There as a sweet MJ tribute?

Vision of Love?!

Next time, Carey. We'll bring the champagne.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Houston, Texas
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 17-Feb-2010, 9:00PM EST

Mariah performs at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas tonight; and our tour correspondents Edward and Bryan are there to provide us with the play-by-play, as they happen live.

Setlist:
01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude
02. Shake It Off
03. Touch My Body
04. Fly Like a Bird
05. Make It Happen
06. Angels Cry
07. Always Be My Baby
08. It's Like That
09. The Impossible
10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker
11. Honey
12. It's A Wrap
13. My All
14. Obsessed
15. We Belong Together
16. Hero

Tidbits:
• 08:03pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage.
• 08:19pm - Opening act just finished their set. Crowd is chanting Mariah. Michael Jackson music is playing again over the speakers.
• 08:33pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude."
• 08:36pm - "Shake It Off" now.
• 08:40pm - "Touch My Body" now. She sounds great!
• 08:44pm - "If you only knew the drama I have with water and glasses. This is the warmest place I've been in a long time. The band agrees. Just rejuvenating darling. You've gotta rejuvenate. We must rejuvenate." "Fly Like a Bird" now.
• 08:48pm - Mariah goes backstage while the dancers are on the stage. "Make It Happen" playing now.
• 08:56m - Her voice sounds amazing. Clearly her cold is gone. She's asking if the audience likes her dress which was torn at the last concert. About to start "Angels Cry." Dedicates it to those suffering in Haiti.
• 09:04pm - Getting her hair and make up touched up. "It's an over the top diva moment so that's what I am. If I'm gonna drink something my hair might as well be blowing in the wind." "It happened again. A cleavage meets champagne situation." "Always Be My Baby" now.
• 09:08pm - "Alright let's have a party!" "It's Like That" begins to play as Mariah goes backstage.
• 09:09pm - Back on stage in time to start singing "It's Like That."
• 09:14pm - "The Impossible" now.
• 09:19pm - Trey Lorenz starts singing "Rock With You" as Mariah goes back stage.
• 09:24pm - "Rock With You" done. Mariah appears, begins singing "Love Hangover." "We like to do this as a tribute to Diana Ross and add our own thing" into "Heartbreaker."
• 09:29pm - "Honey" now.
• 09:36pm - "Definitely not having the champagne darling. One was enough. I'm feeling very at home here in Houston." Someone is talking to her through her ear piece, "Were you going to say something to me? I have to tell them the story so they know what's going on." Talks about relationships. "It's A Wrap" now.
• 09:42pm - She's introducing her dancer named Tory. He's helping her put on a red robe. "My All" now.
• 09:45pm - Unlike the other concerts she didn't go straight into the "My All" remix. Three female dancers appeared as she was carried backstage by a male dancer.
• 09:48pm - Trey Lorenz is introducing the background singers and the band.
• 09:50pm - "Obsessed" now.
• 09:56pm - She's retouching her own makeup now. Looks amazing in her black dress. "We Belong Together" now.
• 10:00pm - Fades to "We Belong Together" remix as Mariah exits stage and thanks the audience.
• 10:02pm - Encore of "Hero." "I have to sing this song. So many people have told me it's helped them through difficult situations" and begins to sing.
• 10:06pm - Show ends.

Photos:
Pictured below: Houston correspondents Edward with bestfriend Erika (photo #1) and Bryan with friends (photos 2 & 3).



Many thanks to Edward and Bryan for the awesome updates tonight!

If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review of the show; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.

Mariah will be performing at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, February 18th. Please join us at 7:30m CST (5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Frank and Alex.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Houston Press Preview: Mariah's Concert at Verizon
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 17-Feb-2010, 11:58AM EST

Mariah Carey
Wed., February 17, 8:00pm
Price: $57.50 - $173.50
Verizon Wireless Theater
520 Texas, Houston, TX
713-225-8551

Mariah Carey has been a part of the pantheon of modern pop vocalists since she shocked the world the ethereal registers she reached on 1990's eponymous debut. Those first singles were syrupy ballads that showcased her vocal tenacity, extremely tame and classy and not too far removed from the Celine Dions of the world.

Over the next five years, Carey slowly turned into a bombshell R&B diva, shedding her good-girl image (and most of her clothes) seemingly overnight as she collaborated with hip-hop producers like Jermaine Dupri, Puff Daddy and Just Blaze. A most public meltdown on MTV while promoting 2001's Glitter bomb sidetracked Carey into tabloid territory for a spell, but by 2005 she was recording with the Neptunes and Kanye West and selling albums again.

Last fall's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel has already gone gold, and Carey has a supporting role as a compassionate social worker to Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe's title character in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire.

Our Houston correspondents Bryan and Edward will be providing us with live updates from the Verizon Wireless Theater tonight starting at 8:00pm CST (6pm PT/9pm ET). Please join us!

Source: Houston Press

Houston Added to Angels Advocate Tour
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 12-Jan-2010, 12:24PM EST

Mariah Carey will bring her Angels Advocate Tour to Houston, Texas on Wednesday, February 17 at the Verizon Wireless Theater.


Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 16 via Live Nation, the venue box office or at 877-598-6671. Ticket prices are TBA.

Meanwhile, Mariah's Feb. 16th concert at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis, Minnesota has reportedly been cancelled.

Source: Houston Chronicle | Timothy