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Barry Manilow - The Greatest Songs of the Fifties
- Manilow’s roots are in Brooklyn, New York, where music was an integral part of his life. In 1972, Manilow met Bette Midler and became her music director, arranger and pianist. Later that year, Manilow signed with Bell Records (later Arista Records) to record his debut solo album. In 1974, the release of Mandy launched an unprecedented career and 25 consecutive Top 40 hits including Even Now, This One’s for You, Weekend in New England, I Write the Songs and Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again. Barry Manilow's unparalleled career encompasses virtually every arena of music, including performing, composing, arranging and producing.
A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. Industry charts rank him the undisputed Number One Adult Contemporary Artist of All Time with record sales exceeding 65 million world-wide. This pop icon has written hundreds of songs and performed around the globe thrilling millions of fans, winning a Grammy, an Emmy, several Tony Awards and an Oscar nomination along the way. Among his 44 albums are such diverse musical styles as The Greatest Songs of the Fifties (2006), Manilow Scores: Songs from Copacabana and Harmony (2004), Manilow Sings Sinatra (1998), Singin' with the Big Bands (1994), Showstoppers (1991), Swing Street (1987), 2:00 A.M. Paradise Café (1984), and many others, including 38 Top 40 Hits. Albums he has produced for other artists, including Bette Midler, Nancy Wilson, and Dionne Warwick have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
Arista recording artist Barry Manilow releases his latest CD to takes us back to the 50's. I enjoyed certain songs on this album because it of them being uptempo for Manilow. For example, from The Four Ace’s, track #6 "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" (1955), gave this CD a little pep. It displayed his vocal range and clarity plus the instruments did not fade out his voice. The #8 selection, "Sincerely- Teach Me Tonight", I thought of the TV show "Happy Days" and a dance scene at the beginning. As "Sincerely" played more, it became more of a ballroom type feel to it over Barry's vocals. Manilow is accompanied by Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters on the medley of this 1954 hit. It was more of the fun sound with this song than the other notables.
I also enjoyed selection #10 "Young at Heart" (1954), where the spirit of Frank Sinatra takes over the atmosphere. The only song where the original sounded better as I listened was track #11. The Everly Brothers’ "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (1958). Although he does his best to give the same flavor and feel, it did not quite match the same intention. Certain original songs should not be rekindled and I just feel like although it ok, the original was better and more memorable. Selection #12, Dinah Washington’s signature "What A Diff'rence A Day Made" (1959) ended the pleasure of this Greatest hits album for me. It was Manilow's way of putting his male stamp on a song that Dinah made great. It definitely took me back to the days when life was simple and we watched black and white television programming. Over his 30 year multi-faceted career, Barry Manilow has proven that he is indeed the performer who most embodies the accolade, "The Showman of Our Generation." by Rolling Stone magazine. No wonder Barry Manilow has taken Las Vegas by storm and is the greatest sensation since Elvis.
Reviewer: SaiSean Jones
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Reviewer's Rating: 8
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Added: 21-Feb-2006
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