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Review by Don
The music that played between the opening act and MC was a mix of 70s soul/funk, ala Superfreak and the Theme from Shaft, and Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre for the newer stuff. What I found interesting about this was the change from the Rainbow tour. At that concert, this music was composed of many songs by Luis Miguel. This time through, there was not a trace of his music.

The show opened up with the Heartbreaker Remix. MC entered the arena from the back right, making her way to the stage along the edge of the floor seating. People in the floor seating area were standing up on their chairs to get a view, along with cheering loudly. It was a very welcoming reception. This was the first show I have seen, live or on video, that She did not open with Emotions. She did not even have the song in the setlist this time through. Right from the beginning, and carrying through the whole night, MC's voice was very strong. I think it was in fact in better shape than on the Rainbow tour, not to say that it was at all deficient then. There weren't the theatrics of the last tour to go along with this song where there was the whole boxing match thing going on with Bianca.

Second on the show was Dreamlover. This was a straightforward performance with the group of dancers in the background. Next, the first ballad, Through the Rain, was performed. The crowd intently listened to this, as MC gave a very powerful rendition of this song. There is an energy to this song that comes out in liver performance, where it has the chance to open up more than on the cd. Following this was My All. The song started off as the ballad, and for one of the choruses, MC added the line from the Club Mix, the "feel your body, feel your body, feel your body, baby babe" and later the song transitioned into the full blown Club version. This was mostly covered by the dancers, as MC made an outfit change as the song went on.

At this point, I don't quite remember the order of the rest of the songs, but I'll give a rundown as best as I can.

Clown was one of the more elaborate undertakings of the show, as the play on Eminem was very entertaining. MC started sitting down, on the right side of the stage. At center stage, there were the puppet-masters, on stilts, playing with a doll, which was a dancer dressed in a Detroit Pistons uniform and playing the part of Eminem. The sign above the stage had "The Marionette Show", with the "E" being backwards, as the focus of the song has been known to show it. This is such a great song, especially live, because MC can really emphasize the parts that really bring home the message of the song, especially highlighting the inadequacies of the song's person of focus.

The song that MC chose, according to the voting of the day, was Can't Take That Away. She said she felt very honored and happy that this song was chosen, as it had been in Las Vegas. Her singing on this one was amazing, all the while controlled and with power, showing the real emotion that MC feels when singing this one.

Fantasy was sung as the ODB remix version. And although MC was wearing a headset-style microphone, she was definitely Not lip-synching this one. You could distinctly hear the live singing. This while doing the stage thing with the dancers and the chairs that She has done in previous shows. The ODB part was played on the video screens.

My Saving Grace started after one of the ensemble changes. After the curtain opened, MC appeared about 40 feet above the stage in a white dress, sitting in a swing covered with white fabric. As the song progressed, She was lowered down on top of the piano that was below her. For a part of the song, She layed on the piano, giving a great rendition of this song. Next, if I remember correctly, was Subtle Invitation. This song sounds really good performed live. The ending part was amazing, when MC is really hitting the notes and projecting. She moved around the stage a lot on this one, and really got into the energy of the song.

At one part of the show, MC did the band introductions. She was singing things that related to the names of each of the band and singers. This was really cool, and it shows just how musical MC really is. When She introduced the drummer, Gigi Gonaway, She starter singing "Gone away, Gone a-way.." Vernon Black was on guitar, and Lionel Cole handled keyboards. I don't have the names of the rest of the band with me. When MC introduced the keyboard player, he starter playing a little something. You could see him hitting the highest notes on the keys, but right there singing along was MC. And She still had plenty of range to spare. The singers are once again tremendous. I think that MC has found at least equals to, if not better than, the Price sisters in the Tatum sisters. Trey Lorenz was the last to be introduced. He was referenced as being from the "Home of the Fish Sandwich" and also known as Big Nasty. All this led into a great rendition of I'll be There. This was pretty much like She's done it for the past several years. After this, MC left for an outfit change while Trey Lorenz sang one of his songs.

I Know What You Want started off by just having dancers on the stage for the first few minutes of the song, while the video played in the background. This song was longer than the album version, and the video on the screens included a great deal more MC footage than the video shown on tv. Mariah appeared during the song, wearing an outfit similar in theme, but not identical to the video. She started singing with the line before "I would climb a mountain.." The thing about this song that was exceptional was that on the cd, MC sings mostly in a breathy voice, but at the concert, She put the power of Her full voice behind this, and it is really an improvement over the studio version. All the other singing parts by the others in the song were on tape, as they went along with the video screens.

Always Be My Baby had the most crowd participation of the pre-Charmbracelet songs. Nearly everyone in the crowd was moving and singing along to this. To me, this seemed like the crowd's favorite song. There was no extended chorus or anything to this as She has done in the past.

Honey started by showing the opening scenes of the video on the screens, up through the part where She dives into the pool. This was kind of like Fantasy, where there were a lot of dancers and the whole thing going on. Unlike the Rainbow tour, there was not a sailor-outfit theme to this.

During the show, MC raved that this was the best crowd that She had seen on tour so far. Unlike the descriptions given in the local papers, such as the Chicago Tribune, the crowd was anything but anemic and sparse. I had diminished hearing the next day, and a little today, not only from the music, but from the crowd. It's too bad that the critics that are sent to write about Mariah are almost always diehard fans of other types of music, and absolutely shun MC's music. They seem to still cling to belief that Kurt Cobain is somehow the best musician of all time, which is just not true. (We know that MC is :-) ).

Make it Happen was the only appearance from the Emotions cd. This had the lengthened middle part, but without a 30-piece choir. It still had the power and feeling that other renditions of this have had in the past. After the bridge, MC ran to the sides of the stage, singing along. There weren't any songs from Glitter during the concert. I don't know if we'll ever get to hear these live or not. I hope so, as there are plenty of good songs that I would like to hear from that.

The last song before the encore was Bringin' on the Heartbreak. If anyone can bring more energy to the song than the original band, Def Leppard, or any other bands for that sake, MC did at this concert. You can't help but be drawn into this song, as it builds crescendo upon crescendo. With the talent in the background singing that She has, this song really has the energy that is needed to have it at its best. During the song, some inflatable beach balls were tossed into the crowd and batted around. Vernon Black played a long guitar solo, and he really knows how to play well. The ending parts of that song were the loudest of any of the songs, and almost everyone in the crowd was moving along to this one. All except the weasel who sat in the same row as I did. I highly doubt he was a fan at all, and was there probably just to get pictures to sell. He didn't know any of the songs, and didn't bother to clap even once. He just kept taking pictures. Oh well, his loss.

After the song, everyone formed a line across the front of the stage and took a bow. After the thunderous applause, MC re-emerged to perform Vision of Love. You can tell that She had given so much of Herself during the night, but She was still able to hit the notes and give a great performance. To close out the show was Hero. This was amazing as the crowd listened intently to a great song. MC then walked off as the band played Butterfly as the outro to the concert.

All in all, a great concert. The concert (the MC part) was about 1 Hour and 45 minutes. I can't wait until the next one.

Review by Kyle
I can't even express in words how truly amazing the concert was. Everything about it was perfect. It started off with this local band from Chicago, they were okay. Mariah was a little late but it was definitely worth it!
It started off with a bunch of different pictures and they played different song clips while a more upbeat sounding version of "Looking In" played in the background.

She kicked off the concert with "Heartbreaker Remix/Original". At first I was confused because I didn't know where she was. She came out of the audience. Once she got up on stage I was mesmerized. I'm not going to go through the exact setlist, but I'll point out a few nice highlights. The whole "Clown" performance is very neat. It starts off saying "The Marionette Show" on the big screen. This is a little parody of "The Eminem Show". It features this little clown that is wearing a bleach blonde wig (go figure). He's being tied up by these two guys on stilts who are wearing business suits. After the song was over, Mariah goes "It's all in fun!"

Mariah shaked her tailfeather all over that stage lol. At one point she goes "I'm doing my best to use what I got", I thought that was pretty funny. Honey was introduced by the beginning of the video which was pretty neat. She repeatedly was telling the audience that we were the best crowd she had ever had and that we were making her feel really good.

"Always Be My Baby" was probably one of my favorite performances. She got really interactive with the crowd on this one. Towards the end they started throwing beach balls into the crowd. Mariah was even kicking some of them into the crowd! A fan who had painted a replica of a "Honey" picture got pretty lucky. Mariah pulled it out of the audience and signed it for them. She introduced the band members in really cool ways and it was fun to watch.

Mariah entered the stage from the ceiling, being held by sheets for the song "Subtle Invitation". It was neat because she landed very gently on top of the piano, decorated with pink butterflies.

Some of the big ballad highlights were "My All", "Through The Rain", "My Saving Grace" (this was introduced by different pictures), "Bringin' On The Heartbreak", and "Hero".

There was a lot of different merchandise such as numerous t shirts/tank tops, shorts, light sticks, magnets, buttons, posters, hats, bandannas, tour books, key chains, and even thongs!

This was definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was truely breathtaking.

Review by Marquis
OMG! Mariah was absolutely amazing and she looked really very beautiful. Let me just say that if anyone had any doubts about the condition of her voice, those concerns can now be laid to rest. Mariah sang in full voice on all of the songs and she even hit some high notes I haven't heard her do in a long time.

She entered the arena( United Center) through this one tunnel and the crowd went wild for her. She was singing "Heartbreaker" and she paused a few times to wave to fans and sort of greet people as she passed by. When she got onstage she went into "Heartbreaker Remix" and then she gave a big shout out about being in Chicago and how it is a really great city.

Mariah then sang "Dreamlover" and the dancers are really really good this time. When she performed "Through The Rain" she sat on this small couch and she talked about how this song meant to much to her. I really liked how she performed "My All" because she then later went into the dance remix and everyone was excited and dancing. I thought the dancers performance during the remix was awesome.

I would have to say that the intro Marionette Show of "Clown" was one of the evening's highlights. I don't wanna give too much away. You will love MC's little body language at the end though.
The fans choice voted song was "Can't Take That Away" and she performed the song with such an intensity and passion. You could tell that it was really from the heart, and all of the fans were truly right there with her in the moment. It was very inspiring.

They did a video clip intro for "Honey" and everyone cheered and jumped to their feet during the performance. It was a fun treat. The biggest cheers came when the music for "I Know What You Want" began playing. I will only say that not only did she look damn sexy in that Harley outfit, but Mariah does something with her body that only strippers and those who can shake their hips can usually pull off. One of the true highlights of the show.

She descended from a swing for the performing of "Subtle Invitation" and she totally gave the song her all, with a fiery rendition. I felt like I was in church listening to stirring rendition of some gospel-jazz number.
Also when she sang "My Saving Grace" she mentioned how it was kind of the song which describes her life and the crowd was once again so moved by her outstanding performance.

You will love, and I mean, love how she does the band introduction which led into her duet with Trey on "I'll Be There." Trey does a song called "Friend of Mine" which is really good and let me just say that MC's backup singers can really sing. They blew me away.

All I have to say is that "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" is definitely a power ballad and she pulls you in like a seductive temptress. The high note at the end was full force and she sent chills through my body.

The "Fantasy (Remix)" got people dancing and she did a little cute number with the dancers, very playful. What is very clear is that Mariah is finally confident and having fun, she truly owns every moment on stage and give her all. When she sang "Always Be My Baby" it was like your best girl friend telling or a loved one singing you a sweet lullaby.

I think one of the most momentous performances was "Make It Happen" because it is such a dance inspired song, but also the way she pulls you into it with her, and she tore up the stage with a powerful rendition. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing her voice sounded because I know some fans were concerned, but the voice will remind you why you're a MC fan! If it doesn't, then there must be something wrong with you!

I would also say that I expected her to falter when it came time to sing "Vision of Love," but she proved me wrong. She hit every note with all the right nuances and at the end she belts it out with force and she recaptured all the glory that made the song a huge hit.

And the final song was, of course, "Hero" and she told the crowd that this was the #1 choice for the setlist and she went into an amazing, awe inspiring version and watch for a surprise high note at the end guaranteed to knock your socks off. This was 13 years in the making for me because I had never seen Mariah in concert and I can truly die a happy lamb now because she is without a doubt one of the greatest vocalist in pop music history.

Also, the video montage of MC as a young girl and throughout her career was a real gem. She also signed a sketched portrait a fan did of her. One of the most exciting moments in my life and I am so blessed to have heard that amazing voice life, and in full voice!

Review by Ajay Raval
Well I have no pictures but Mariah wore the same stuff from Las Vegas but sounded and looked SOOO MUCH BETTER. She walked right in front of me and she is a vision of love and beauty and serenity.

She sang such inspirarational songs like "Through The Rain", "My All", "Make It Happen", "Hero", "Can't Take That Away", and a little from "Butterfly", she also sang "Subtle Invitation" and of course "Clown" and at its end she said "well it's all in good fun".

She then sang the intro for all her bandmates. Trey Lorenz sang a song while Mariah changed and Vi3 opened up for her.

On every song, Mariah hit that note that made the audience scream which was great also when she introduced the keyboard guy he hit that really high note on the keyboard and Mariah of course matched it.

It was a great show all in all... I wish I had enough money to go to all the shows... it was great and I just wanted to share it with someone.

Review by "Automatic Princess"
I just got home from the Chicago Charmbracelet Tour! It was amazing. A minor band did an opening act. It seemed like forever before the concert started. And in the audience a Mariah fan sitting in the front row got up out of his seat and started dancing to some of the waiting music (Snoop Dog). Everyone started screaming and they loved him LOL.

Anyway, the whole stadium went picth black and then Mariah came out walking and singing at the same time down an isle. As she reached the stage she was greeted by a crowd of fans and promtly stepped up on stage. Everyone started screaming and the first opening song started.

"Heartbreaker Remix" blasted through the speakers and Mariah's beautiful LIVE voice followed. At the end of the song high notes were beautifully sang by MC. Then explosions on the stage started and the crowd once again went wild.

Along the songs that Mariah sang was: "Through the Rain", "Bringin' On The Heartbreak", "I'll Be There", "Hero", "Butterfly" (ending), "I Know What You Want" (in which Mariah remixed it up a bit and on the big screened showed never before seen shots from the IKWYW video, creating the illusion that Mariah was the star of the music vid. There was also a very sexy dance scene done by Mariah during that performance. The dance moves were simular to the winding waist as Busta Rymes referred as the wind.)

More songs were: "Fantasy Remix", "My All", "Honey", "Vision Of Love", "Make It Happen".
"Clown", which started out with the big screen showing a puppet show And across the screen were the words written Mariaonette spelled with one backwards E for (we know who). And there was, in fact a man with a blond clown wig on stage in a clown outfit tied up with long scarfs creating an illusion as an unhappy puppet. And at this time Mariah was sitting on a stage prop circous barrel. Meanwhile the big screen showed tears with dollar signs inside falling down. And at the end of this performance Mariah jokenly added, "We're just having fun, you know." (Ha ha)

"Subtle Invitation" (that had a very jazzy stage prop background) and of course she performed the #1 requested song, "Can't Take That Away".

Mariah did her welcomings to Chicago, and said she was happy that all of the fans were able to make it there to share this experience with her. There was quite a lot of dancing going on with Mariah and running across the stage hyping up the crowd. Towards the middle of the tour concert, she introduced the entire band by free styling their names to a jazz tune. She introduced her back up singers. One of who was Trey Lorenz who sang as he introduced his name, and then Mariah adds A.K.A "BIG NASTY" and suddenly there's a roar of laughter through the crowd. Trey begins to do his BIG NASTY voice, while Mariah again adds that he is home to the Fish Sandwich state. And Trey replies, (in big nasty voice) "Yes because I know how to lay the fish in between the bread." (he he he) and crowd emediately lauhgs and Mariah says "OH DEAR". Trey also performed "I'll Be There" and one of his own songs as well.

At the end of the show mariah sang the last song "Hero". It was obvious her voice was still recovering from the last song, but Mariah sang it like the true fan diva she is. And Before she left she said that she had a wonderful time and that the Chicago fans were definitely the best and loudest crowd up to date. And that we showed the most love, and then she yelled, "I LOVE YOU CHICAGO, GOODNIGHT!" Explosions left the crowds breathless as everyone left their seats and rushed towards the gift shop lines. Mariah T-Shirts were 30-45$. Mariah Buttons were 5$. Mariah Charmbracelet books were 30$ and key chains were 7$. I got lucky and bought the last key chain in line. And the person who was behind the counter yelled out, "Key chains sold out!" Then I exited the stadium. As I was exiting, Mariah songs blasted out of the speakers of cars.. And IKWYW was also on and once Mariah's part came on a crowd of girls sangher part. And that was pretty much my experience at the show. IT WAS TRULY THE BEST; MARIAH LOOKED GREAT!

Review by Elisabeth Mistretta (Chicago's Daily Herald)
Mariah still a charmer
Say what you will about Mariah Carey, but no one can deny that she's a master at wowing her devoted fans.

The songstress performed for more than two hours Tuesday night at the United Center to promote her most recent album, "Charmbracelet."

The concert drew teen girls and their moms, single young men, couples and groups of girlfriends -- all of whom shared wild screams with Carey's every wave and high note.

Three dancers dressed like circus performers kicked off the show as the singer, flanked by bodyguards, snuck in through the back of the arena. She opened a 16-song set with her dance tune "Heartbreaker."

Carey sported a pink, rhinestone-encrusted microdress, which rivaled Shania Twain's flashy outfit from this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

The show also borrowed from other superstar peers. Carey's eight costume changes and French circus motif gave a nod to Cher's recent concerts. And later, Carey sat suspended above the stage on white drapery that resembled a scene from Jennifer Lopez's 2001 televised concert from Puerto Rico.

Still, the night was all about Mariah and her mighty voice.

She shunned the breathy vocals that are a trademark on recent albums, instead belting out powerful notes. Carey performed new material like "Through the Rain" and the sexy "Subtle Invitation," while still offering familiar hits like "Honey" and ballads like "Hero."

This tour is the first since Carey's split with Virgin records. The label paid her $28 million to leave after her 2001 album "Glitter" and its accompanying movie bombed. It is also Carey's first tour since her well-publicized breakdown that same year.

Carey's Web site touts the tour as a series of "intimate" concerts (the United Center was fashioned in a theater set-up, albeit a large one). Still, it allowed Carey and her loyal admirers to feed off each other.

Some of the pop world may remain skeptical that Carey still has a Midas touch. But the singer charmed her way through Chicago as the ringmaster in her delightful circus.

Review by Eloise Marie Valadez (Daily Shutdown)
Mariah Carey better than ever
She's been out of the limelight for a few years, but Mariah Carey's voice hasn't been silenced.

The songstress proved she can still put on quite a show during her concert Tuesday night at Chicago's United Center.

Carey's 90-minute concert was pretty much a showcase for her latest album, "Charmbracelet," but did include a good selection of favorite chart toppers.

The Chicago show was only the second stop of Carey's Charmbracelet tour, which is scheduled to run through September.

Carey began her concert in diva-like fashion, emerging from the back of the venue with guards and entourage surrounding her as she performed "Heartbreaker."

Fans cheered as Carey, wearing a short pink glittery dress and stiletto heels, made her way through the crowd and to the stage.

While Carey's vocals were somewhat drowned out by her band during that first number, the sound occasionally cleared up throughout the rest of the show.

Carey's concert took on a type of vaudevillian-style revue at times, with her dancers and other performers posing as painters and other characters. Some of the scenes were silly, yet at times worked well in the context of the show.

As an entertainer, Carey seems to prefer to weave a theme throughout her shows. The singer's last concert in Chicago in 2000 played up a ridiculous diva theme, but was extremely weak on the music side. While this tour still has Carey romping around her set, there's a bit more emphasis on the music.

The "Charmbracelet" album, which has a hip-hop feel, is perhaps Carey's weakest. But in concert, the tunes from the album sounded better than expected.

Carey, who suffered a very public breakdown in 2001, proved she can still wow her audience with her versatile vocal range and trills, although she's not as strong vocally as she once was.

Her vocals shone through particularly on the ballads "My All, and "Through the Rain," her latest hit.

The concert was also part fashion show, as Carey went through a half dozen costume changes, donning everything from short shorts and tube tops to glamorous long gowns and mini dresses.

Musical standouts included the touching "My Saving Grace" from "Charmbracelet," which Carey said was "my life story set to music."

Other attractive renditions were "Dreamlover," the optimistic "Make It Happen," "Vision of Love," "Fantasy" and "I'll Be There," performed with backup singer Trey Lorenz.

Carey talked to her audience often during the show, and performed a couple of requested songs from a fan poll conducted on her Internet site. She said that the set list would change just a bit nightly on her tour to accommodate fan's requests.

The show wrapped up appropriately with a touching version of "Hero."

Review by Jeff Vrabel (Chicago Sun-Times)
Carey's 'comeback' tour plays out before dwindling crowds
If there's anything to be learned from Mariah Carey's performance Tuesday night, it is this: You can do anything you want, if you only put your mind to it. Have faith. Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Really. A monthlong shock therapy session with Dr. Phil couldn't promise half as much self-empowerment as this show.

"This is a song about perseverance, pressing on," Carey said early in the set, demurely posing on a chaise longue before launching into the lite-gospel "Through the Rain." "Things like that."

No kidding. Things like that applied to easily half her two-hour set, a veritable checklist of featherweight pop anthems with titles such as "Make It Happen," "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)," "My All," "Hero" and "My Saving Grace."

But such is the mantra of Carey, who performed in Chicago for the first time after 2001's cinematic fiasco "Glitter," a recording contract fire sale, and its corresponding and well-documented breakdown for the kind of "exhaustion" that never seems to befall non-famous people. This was a show expressly designed to announce that Mariah Is Back, from her inclusion of all those "I will survive"-type numbers to her immediate display of the kind of high-frequency vocal trapeze work that can affect your cell phone reception. Indeed, Carey and her handlers have masterfully turned a gossip-column PR nightmare into a rebirthing theme that, if her stage show is any indication, she intends to pound us into submission with.

It's true that Carey has persevered far more than her detractors might have expected. According to SoundScan, her "comeback" record "Charmbracelet," has moved 1.1 million units nationwide since its release last December--respectable enough, but well off-par for Carey--and this tour, her first in three years, will take her to smaller theaters nationwide.

But on Night 2 of the tour's U.S. leg, there were already signs of trouble. The show took place in the United Center's "theater setting," but even with the 300 level curtained off there were plenty of vacant seats in the mid-level and floor areas. The tour is being touted as an "intimate evening," but the UC at its coziest remains about as intimate as an episode of "Big Brother." And any evening that boasts a cast such as this--at times, Carey was joined by no fewer than 20 dancers, singers and musicians--is hardly intimate, anyway. The show was never sure if it was a single-spotlight cabaret affair or a full-on Cirque du Soleil-esque production complete with cartoonish characters, costume changes and bizarre supporting actors (a jester-dancer in a Detroit Pistons jersey materialized during "Clown," Carey's attitude-heavy retort to the advances of one Marshall Mathers).

Then there's the matter of the diva herself. Carey's fluttery voice--the voice that's launched a thousand "American Idol" auditions--largely remains in fine form, even if it sometimes skirts challenges it would have demolished a few years back. She expertly glided over the backing tracks at times ("My Saving Grace" and "Always Be My Baby") and was overwhelmed by them at others ("Honey"), but showed a single-minded dedication to proving that she still had game.

No, the biggest problem Carey has is that, even by the ultra-choreographed standards of pop shows, this one seemed especially chilly and distant. Despite Carey's blank-check declaration that the Chicago crowd was her "best audience to date," her band was frequently eaten up by the backing tracks, and the pace, oft-interrupted by dance interludes, video snippets and a band introduction process that can only be described as epic, was entirely too choppy. When there weren't anthems, there were pre-taped bids for hip-hop credibility like "Honey" (anybody remember Mase?) or "Fantasy" with the Artist Formerly Known as Ol' Dirty Bastard. Only an unlikely, guitar-fueled cover of Def Leppard's "Bringing on the Heartbreak" really heated up, and it's a testament to the sameness of Carey's catalog that an '80s hair-metal ballad seemed fresh in terms of structure and muscle tone.

It's been a while since her glory days, and it's strange to note that the world's No. 1-selling female artist of all time has trouble filling arenas. While it's heartening to see Carey persevering after her troubles, the fact remains that if the show--and the empty seats--are any indication, her road continues for a while yet.

Review by Joshua Klein (Chicago Tribune)
Stylish Carey strains in search of soul
Two years ago, Mariah Carey might as well have swapped the M in her first name for a P. Carey released an atrocious vanity film, "Glitter," that flopped on arrival. After the companion soundtrack performed poorly, she was bought out of her multimillion-dollar recording contract with Virgin—essentially paid not to record. Finally, faced with so many humiliating setbacks, the once mighty diva self-destructed in as messy and public a manner as possible.

Or did she? PR has a magical way of rewriting history. Did Carey suffer a nervous breakdown, or was she truly overworked and exhausted? Did her new record label, Island, decide to re-release her most recent album "Charmbracelet" because it didn't do well when originally released late last year, or just to hype her comeback tour? And for that matter, was Carey's summer trek downsized from arenas to theaters because she was having trouble selling enough tickets to fill the former, or really because the singer wanted a more intimate setting?

No one would confuse the United Center with an intimate theater, though the arena was reconfigured for fewer people Tuesday night. Carey probably could have made the date still more intimate, since even with the nosebleeds curtained off there were plenty of empty seats. When Carey made her appearance from the back of the venue, strolling past her fans, the response was enthusiastic but relatively restrained, not quite a reaction fit for a star.

Either Carey didn't notice, or she was pretending not to notice. "You are definitely the best audience I've had to date," she claimed unconvincingly half way through her set, revealing that her acting turn in "Glitter" was no fluke. This was after an hour of some of her biggest hits, songs like the bouncy "Heartbreaker," "Dreamlover" and "Honey" that briefly roused the crowd before the next ballad brought them down (often literally). It's fitting that the high-pitched virtuoso squeak Carey unleashed on nearly every song sounded like a balloon losing air, since the show seemed deflated almost from the first note.

It still featured about a dozen dancers, enlisted to fill space and time while Carey changed from one miniskirt or low-cut gown to the next. She went through eight in all, at one point disappearing for several minutes while her dancers boogied down to her duet with rapper Busta Rhymes, "I Know What You Want," the band (assuming it was even playing) hidden behind a curtain. Or maybe Mariah just needed to rest the voice that launched 1,000 horrible "American Idol" auditions. For such would-be showstoppers, "I'll Be There," which she sang with backing vocalist Trey Lorenz, and the finale "Home" were a little ragged.

The closest Carey came to something soulful was Def Leppard's "Bringin' on the Heartbreak." Other than that, the show was as rote and dispiriting as the ramshackle roadside circus the stage sometimes resembled. Maybe that's what once mighty Mariah gets for picking a butterfly as her personal mascot: nice to look at, but not the best harbinger of longevity.

Review by Shom
I got to the United Center and the first thing I did was pick up my backstage passes. They were cloth sticker things, I was hoping for those cool plastic laminates, but I guess you can't have it all, lol. I wandered around, a few people told me they weren't letting us bring flowers, so I pulled out one of the sunflowers and put it in my Mariah gift bag and put the stem in my car. I got through security without them finding my camera, yay, then I bought a Charmbracelet tour shirt and the program.

Ok, so I go in after I meet Mollie (whom I brought as my Meet & Greet guest) and sit in my seat, section 113, row 9, seat 15. It's off to the side of the stage, so I didn't get a good view half the time, but during the concert Mariah would visit our little corner. =) My photos turned out okay, unfortunately I forgot about my super-zoom (idk the real name of it) function until near the end of the concert, yeah I'm an idiot...but that's ok, its all "emblazoned in my mind" hehe. I'm just gonna post one of her in each outfit here, I have many more pix, thank god for 128mb memory cards...

After the amazing concert, I went to section 103 where Honey B Fly told us to meet, there were lots of people there for the Save the Music/B96 thingy too, but after a few moments of waiting, the 10 HBF ppl and their guests were lined up, I got to lead the line, lol. We were sent to a room, I forget what it was for, but behind the red curtains were lockers...There was veggies, chips and dip, cheese, pretzels, M&Ms out for us and to drink, Perrier, Corona, some other beer...Heineken maybe? and Chardonnay and Moet! Yeah baby...lol...

There was music playing and it got quiet and I forget who said it, but one of the lambs was like, "this sounds like the remix album" and so, uh, Vijay's friend...sorry I forgot his name already, stopped the CD to look and there it was! The Remixes! For the non-fans, its special cuz it hasn't been released here yet.

Ok so we all introduced ourselves and stuff, Terry kept offering everyone who came in some chips, lol. A bunch of other ppl came in, we waited a bit longer, one of the all-access cameramen came in to film us for a bit, then this one guy told us to turn the music up and in came MARIAH! She was wearing a black corset-like tank top I think...she was so pretty! Absolutely gorgeous in person...she came in surrounded by bodyguards, but they all stood aside as she camestraight into our little crowd and asked us if we liked the show. Of course, we all did, lol. Then she talked about something else, somehow the butterfly room came up and she said it was getting crowded, hehe. I managed to get a picture of her, she was like a foot away from me. I was afraid because all the Vegas lambs were saying how the bodyguards and staff will take your camera away, but some other lambs were snapping away, so, yeah, peer pressure...lol.

Julie and Vijay and Tessa presented M with the Chicago fanbook (excellent job guys!) and she took it into the photo room. The first group of 10 lambs went in for their photo while we waited out nervously lol. Then it was our turn, I was the first in the room (hehe the man let me, he was nice...) and I walked in and there was M standing and I held up her giftbag and was like, "Should I put this here?", gesturing to the coffee table where the fanbook and another gift was, and she was like "I don't know where we're putting those" or something and so I left it there and went over by M with Mollie and she took my hand! Someone tell me what lotion M uses cuz her hands are so soft!

It was all a blur, I forget what she said to us, lol,Mollie, do you remember anything? I think M might have said something about my tank top (it said "Mariah's Lamb" and had diamonds around it)...but I can't remember...All I remember is I showed M my little fake lamb tattoo on my hip and she said "That's cute!" Hehe. Then once all the other lambs crowded around, the photographer got ready to take the photo, and kept making us squish together so I gor pressed up against M and kept apologizing, lol. Her hair was basically in my face. I can't wait to see the photo! It WILL be posted here and prolly a hundred other places as soon as HBF emails me it. I wish we got real prints tho, oh well.

After that, everyone presented M with their gifts and I pondered the idea of picking up the bag and handing it to her, but she was holding so much, so as I was one of the last few there, I was like, "Mariah, my gift is over there, ok?" and she said like "That's fine" and "Thanks" or something...then this other lamb was giving M some stuff and I kinda lingered but the bodyguards were staring at me and so I walked toward the exit and waved at M, idk if she saw, then said Thank You to the nice guy with the accent (Julie, Vijay, what was his name?) and walked out. Most of the other lambs were still there and so me, Julie, Tessa, Vijay, Mollie, and Terry got our picture taken together.

And then began the stealing...or permanently borrowing without consent as I see it...Julie, Tessa, and I each stole a big white flower from the vase in the room, then some other ppl got the purplish flowers (I didn't see who), then a few of us decided we'd steal the marble things in the vase, lol. But no one stole the remix CD or the vase itself, lol. So we've come to the conclusion Mariah fans are also kleptomaniacs. I also kept my Perrier I was drinking. Oh and I got a napkin of presumably the company that provided the food? Bismarck Enterprises.

We loitered a bit longer and saw M leave to tend to the SaveTheMusic ppl and so we left too. Julie, Vijay, Tessa, and Mollie decided to wait for M at the Ritz-Carlton, guys I wanted to go so badly, but I had to drive home by myself, and its not safe for me to do that too late! You guys better lemme know what happened and send me pix!

All in all, I had a great time, especially meeting all the fans and M herself. She's so amazing...the whole drive home I was like talking to myself, repeating "Whoa, I met Mariah" lol. And so that's my story guys, I'm hoping M liked my presents and that I'll get to see M again soon...=) Mollie, I want doubles! Lol, especially the one you took when you were "sneaky"! Hehe. So now I love and appreciate M more than ever before! Mwah!

Review by Jessica
OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!! THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU X'S A BILLION HONEY B. FLY!!!!!
First I'd like to give a shout out to all the lambs I met there!!!! You guys are the greatest!!!

Now onto the concert. Amazing. Simply amazing!!! Her outfits were the same, but I liked them!!! She entered the concert through the crowd, but I was on the other side and people started standing up on their chairs and I couldn't see at first... but security got them down! YAY!

Her setlist was the same... but I loved it!!!! She sang her heart out!!! It was an awesome show! To the Chicago Tribune guy: What crack were you on? The crowd loved her!!! Many people can't talk today because of that, or their voice hurts and I'm one of them!
The crowd simply loved her, and she also noticed how loud we were! Mariah sang "Can't Take That Away" and I took several photos, I hope they all turn out great!

Afterwards, all the people who won backstage passes either via the fanclub or save the music, got in section 103. We waited only a few minutes, and then the Honey B. Flyers, as Terry called us, went backstage to this little VIP room where there was food and drinks, and Mariah's "Remixes" album was playing. We all hung out and had a good time!
Terry was the most vocal, and she got everyone saying their names and usernames and made it a wonderful atmosphere, you're awesome girl!! Loved the dress!! Then the guy who brought us back there came in and put us into two groups of ten. After that, he left, and when he came back he said Mariah's coming soon.

After what seemed like an eternity to me, she came in!! OMG, she was so beautiful!! And she was sooo nice, she talked to us, had us wave at the camera, but I had waved at it earlier saying "Hi Mariah!"
She went to leave to the little room where the picture was going to be taken. I said "Mariah!" and she stopped and looked at me. So I said "Can I give you these?" She nodded, and I gave her my letter and another fan's letter who wasn't able to make it!
Then she touched my hand!! wow!! I just started crying, I said I would! And all the lambs in my group were like "awwww" and some lady named Jill or July who apparently worked for Mariah said to me "This is what makes it all worthwhile, this is my favorite part of these shows" or something along those lines! I got several hugs cuz of the crying! LOL!

When it was my groups turn to take pictures, we went in and people all started to get in their places, some, like me, got moved. I was put right in front of Mariah, kneeling, and her legs were touching my back!!!! (I was very grateful for any kind of contact, and I got more than I ever dreamed!)

After the picture, 'my_try' talked to Mariah and hugged her! I was like WOW when I watched that! None of the two bodygaurds even moved! I think one flinched though...LOL! Then when they were done talking and all I was just standing there smiling and crying. Then she looked at me like "You better hug me!" So I HUGGED HER!!!! And I told her how beautiful she was!

Then when I went to back away she grabbed my hand and looked straight at me! So I told her also, WHILE CRYING, how amazing her voice was and that I loved her!!! And I made it there to Chicago and back to Michigan safely!!! Once again, THANKYOU HONEY B. FLY!!!