DADDY Bazzer is back. The grand honk parks it in South Wales largest aircraft-hanger like venue, Cardiff International Arena, from Tuesday May 7 to Wednesday May 8, the third and fourth dates of his UK tour.

Barry Manilow is promoting his latest acclaimed album Here at the Mayflower which is released on Sony on Monday May 13.

A concept album, The Mayflower is composed of 18 vignettes exploring characters in a fictional apartment building.

The occupants' emotions, issues and frailties, such as loneliness, restlessness, romantic betrayal, enduring love, old age, and death are detailed.

Given that Barry probably hasn't lived in an apartment block for some time, one wonders quite where his lyrical inspiration has come from; perhaps the television, his imagination or both?

Apparently not, The Mayflower refers to a very real, red brick Brooklyn apartment house located not far from where he grew up.

The music is classic Barry: "I was raised with one foot in the classic song writing arrangements of the '30s and '40s and then one foot in the rock'n'roll of the days when I was a teenager," he said.

"I love the muscle of the contemporary stuff, but I love the craft of the '30s and '40s. "Maybe that's what's reflected in this album, which is just a hodgepodge of everything I love." The master showman comes to Britain for his Live2002! tour following a five month stint in the US during which he played nearly 70 dates.

American credits said his concerts were like a snapshot of America take a peak in Cardiff International Arena on Tuesday May 7 and Wednesday May 8.

Tickets are from £12.50 to £42.50. Dial 029 2022 4488 for more information. Barry will be supported by Curtis Stigers.