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Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival? (Part 2)

CC Help Jenn

By CC Help Jenn,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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OSUKNIGHT

OSUKNIGHT

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I met Jason last night on our first night on the Freedom. Good entertainer. No song lists and he doesn't know a lot of the favorites. Overall, very good entertainer. Guitar playing is awesome. They have the dueling pianos tonight in the theatre. Looking forward to it.

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oncruisecontrol

oncruisecontrol

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I met Jason last night on our first night on the Freedom. Good entertainer. No song lists and he doesn't know a lot of the favorites. Overall, very good entertainer. Guitar playing is awesome. They have the dueling pianos tonight in the theatre. Looking forward to it.

 

First off, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. Jason does not have a song list, but we thought he knew a lot of "the favorites". I do realize, however, that "favorites" is subjective. For us, the favorites are stuff like: Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions", Eagles "Hotel California", Journey "Don't Stop Believin'", Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Dead or Alive", Beatles "Hey Jude". Jason knew and performed well all of these. He also threw in some Elton John, Billy Joel, Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Carole King, and James Taylor. I requested some Phil Collins, The Monkees (Davy Jones), and Harry Chapin ("Cat's in the Cradle") and he obliged.

 

I'll agree his repertoire was not as large as I would have liked, and it would have been better if he'd had a song list, but we were very happy to have a piano bar singer on Carnival who actually had talent and could pack the bar. The previous couple of years on Carnival were disappointing, to say the least, where the piano bar was concerned.

 

Anyway, Jason takes requests, so just ask him if he knows a particular song, if so, he will play it for you. Enjoy your trip, and please report more of your thoughts on Jason and the piano bar after you return home.

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alreadypacked

alreadypacked

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First off, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. Jason does not have a song list, but we thought he knew a lot of "the favorites". I do realize, however, that "favorites" is subjective. For us, the favorites are stuff like: Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions", Eagles "Hotel California", Journey "Don't Stop Believin'", Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Dead or Alive", Beatles "Hey Jude". Jason knew and performed well all of these. He also threw in some Elton John, Billy Joel, Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Carole King, and James Taylor. I requested some Phil Collins, The Monkees (Davy Jones), and Harry Chapin ("Cat's in the Cradle") and he obliged.

 

I'll agree his repertoire was not as large as I would have liked, and it would have been better if he'd had a song list, but we were very happy to have a piano bar singer on Carnival who actually had talent and could pack the bar. The previous couple of years on Carnival were disappointing, to say the least, where the piano bar was concerned.

 

Anyway, Jason takes requests, so just ask him if he knows a particular song, if so, he will play it for you. Enjoy your trip, and please report more of your thoughts on Jason and the piano bar after you return home.

 

I agree.

 

Just sailed Freedom and Jason was awesome!! Best piano bar singer on Carnival in several years!

 

We could barely get a seat--haven't seen the piano bar that packed since before the piano bars were made to be non-smoking.

 

Jason plays piano, guitar & harmonica and has a good voice and a great personality. I would suggest only that he print up a list of songs that he does.

 

Very fun time! Carry on Jason!!:)

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NCTribeFan

NCTribeFan

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First off, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. Jason does not have a song list, but we thought he knew a lot of "the favorites". I do realize, however, that "favorites" is subjective. For us, the favorites are stuff like: Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions", Eagles "Hotel California", Journey "Don't Stop Believin'", Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Dead or Alive", Beatles "Hey Jude". Jason knew and performed well all of these. He also threw in some Elton John, Billy Joel, Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Carole King, and James Taylor. I requested some Phil Collins, The Monkees (Davy Jones), and Harry Chapin ("Cat's in the Cradle") and he obliged. ...

 

This is why I tend to stay away from the piano bar - the songs that are "favorites" of the majority of people.

 

I'd love to sit there and listen to this guy play and sing but tend to dislike the "favorites" that I hear and that people request. Not a fan of singalongs.

 

Yes, I'm picky about music. Yes, it is very subjective. Piano bar just really isn't my bag, baby. I wish I enjoyed it more since it might keep me out of the casino in the evenings! :p

 

I will stop in and listen to a song or two, just to hear for myself.

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LibratPDX

LibratPDX

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Just off the Magic with piano bar Ben Gentry. He was good, but don't like his hustle tactics.

Like, hey Tom, John just gave me 5 bucks to play his favorite, how about 10 & I'll play yours or hey Tom I need a drink.

 

I can see why that would bother some people, I guess I just see it as part of the gig. I enjoy his banter and props, but not everyone likes the way he makes songs his own (by changing the words to fit a particular cruiser, etc). I'm happy to be cruising with him again in February! :)

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CRZCRAZY

CRZCRAZY

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Just off the Magic with piano bar Ben Gentry. He was good, but don't like his hustle tactics.

Like, hey Tom, John just gave me 5 bucks to play his favorite, how about 10 & I'll play yours or hey Tom I need a drink.

 

We're having a discussion on another site, can I use your example over there?

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oncruisecontrol

oncruisecontrol

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This is why I tend to stay away from the piano bar - the songs that are "favorites" of the majority of people.

 

I'd love to sit there and listen to this guy play and sing but tend to dislike the "favorites" that I hear and that people request. Not a fan of singalongs.

 

Yes, I'm picky about music. Yes, it is very subjective. Piano bar just really isn't my bag, baby. I wish I enjoyed it more since it might keep me out of the casino in the evenings! :p

 

I will stop in and listen to a song or two, just to hear for myself.

 

I see you are boarding the Freedom today. Check out Zoe in the Red Frog Pub and the Atrium bar if you'd like to just relax and listen to good music. There is also a Filipino husband and wife duo who play in the Atrium who are enjoyable to listen to.

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cv322

cv322

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I'm platinum with Carnival (almost diamond!)...and my favorite pianoman is, without question, Barry Miller...from the Glory alot of years ago. Imagine my surprise when I saw Barry on the NCL Gem this past October! He was just as good on Norwegian :D!

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LizaMM

LizaMM

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I'm platinum with Carnival (almost diamond!)...and my favorite pianoman is, without question, Barry Miller...from the Glory alot of years ago. Imagine my surprise when I saw Barry on the NCL Gem this past October! He was just as good on Norwegian :D!

 

Barry Miller is my FAVORITE as well! Also from the Glory many moons ago!

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OSUKNIGHT

OSUKNIGHT

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Too bad Jason Libs only had a one month contract with Carnival. I really enjoyed him last week on freedom. He's on to bigger things. Just goes to show that you can have a real good time when the player doesn't use any foul language or needs to play those quirky songs. I wish the best for him. Maybe one day he'll be back.

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SNJCruisers

SNJCruisers

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According to post # 1199, Jason was supposed to be on the Freedom till mid February. Was looking forward to hearing him. I assume he told you firsthand that his contract was only for a month and he was leaving the ship. No matter who replaces him though, no one can ever compare to Ron Pass, IMHO.

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OSUKNIGHT

OSUKNIGHT

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According to post # 1199, Jason was supposed to be on the Freedom till mid February. Was looking forward to hearing him. I assume he told you firsthand that his contract was only for a month and he was leaving the ship. No matter who replaces him though, no one can ever compare to Ron Pass, IMHO.

 

Yes, it's true. Jason's last performance was Friday 11/28. The crew had a little farewell for him and they were all sad to see him go especially Jen the cruise director. He said he was heading to the west coast to work on some things. Maybe someday he will come back.

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  • 2 weeks later...
albether7

albether7

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Just off splendor with:

 

Russell Villarin 10/16/2014 - 1/11/2015 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

 

Nice guy decent piano player. Took me awhile to get his 1 lil flaw most of his songs are sung in the same tone.

 

just my .02

 

Just curious...

I'm trying to understand your .02... :) A little clarification...

 

When you say "tone", did you mean same key or chord progression?

or octave, pitch, coloring or melody, or cadence?

 

Like some pianists play every song alike? Like ie. honky-tonk style?

Some, I noticed, esp the Manila bands , can sound just like the original artists and can go from Beach Boy harmony to sounding like Queen's

 

Thanks,

Al

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LibratPDX

LibratPDX

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Just got off The Valor a few weeks ago. Greg Alcott can play the piano but singing and entertaining not so much. Going on The Breeze Jan 3 just saw Ben Gentry on you-tube, he looks more like my style so looking to forward to him.

 

I hope you like Ben, I've sailed with him twice and think he's a blast. I love comedy but never went to the shows because I got my fix in the piano bar :D

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darth frosty

darth frosty

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Posted (edited)
Just curious...

I'm trying to understand your .02... :) A little clarification...

 

My 2 cents

When you say "tone", did you mean same key or chord progression?

or octave, pitch, coloring or melody, or cadence?

 

I would say vocal pitch. You know how some performers copy anothers style? He used the same style for most songs.

 

Like some pianists play every song alike? Like ie. honky-tonk style?

Yes this describes it whether it was a billy joel or motown song they all had the same tone or as you say honky-tonk style.

 

Some, I noticed, esp the Manila bands , can sound just like the original artists and can go from Beach Boy harmony to sounding like Queen's

 

Thanks,

Al

Hope those helped.

Edited by darth frosty
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