Ultimate Manilow
There's a cynical adage that argues if you stand still long enough, history will eventually catch up with you. It's tempting to say that about Barry Manilow, an artist whose stubborn, quarter-century dedication to old-fashioned song craft and musical melodrama has earned him few critical praises but a loyal worldwide following in the millions. When a cult of 20-something would-be lounge lizards tried to cash in on Manilow's shtick in the 1990s, they distanced themselves from its emotional potency with telling dollops of irony and retro-hip cynicism--anything to keep from looking too sincere. This album serves up the high points of Manilow's long, successful career, rightly focusing on the long string of '70s hits that built both his legend and record label. They're a body of songs whose solid craftsmanship is undeniable, but it's Manilow's sincerity that crucially sells them--indeed, he didn't write "I Write the Songs," but who could doubt him? It's an odd tribute that much here--"Mandy," "Looks Like We Made It," "Copacabana," et. al.--has become the palette for a popular entertainment spectrum that somehow encompasses endless hotel piano bars on one flank and TV sketch-com parody on the other. Good to remember that kitsch, by definition, requires a deep and lasting impact on the culture. Manilow hasn't just embraced the "K" word; he's reveled in it with a smile--how could one frown through "Bandstand Boogie" and "Copa" anyway?--and elevated it to something approaching the transcendental through his sheer, joyous force of will. And if his latter work has been unabashedly nostalgic, how could anyone be surprised? --Jerry McCulley more
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CDs. Ultimate Manilow [Arista] |
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Ultimate Manilow [BMG]
Track Listing: 1. Mandy, 2. It's a Miracle, 3. Could It Be Magic, 4. I Write the Songs, 5. Bandstand Boogie, 6.... |
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ProductReviews85/100 (99 Reviews)
Recent Reviews
- 5/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Apr-17-2008
- One best multi-talented performers of our time
he writes, arranges, plays, produces his music and does it for others. He actually has a voice and is geninuely a nice man from what I gather and have seen over the years and his music is distint and timeless. Keep it up Barry and thank...
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- 1/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Jan-07-2008
- PLEASE!! I only bought this for a friend's birthday
I would never, in a million years, voluntarily listen to Barry Manilow!!! I hated him when his music was popular, back in the 70's, and the intervening years have done nothing to enhance his appeal.However, one of my friends actually...
- read full review | report as inappropriate
- 3/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Nov-23-2007
- Manilow
A little disappointed in the quality of the CD. The music is a bit off and too slow. I owned a Barry Manilow CD before and this one seems slow and dragging.
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- 5/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Oct-13-2007
- The best of the man who made the adult into adult contemporary
Luis Mejia (son) - if there is a truly complete while not fatidical Barry Manilow's compilation containing just his MOST important, famous titles in a comfortable 20 songs, one-disc presentation which is a must for being introduced into...
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Selected Reviews
- 5/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Apr-17-2008
- One best multi-talented performers of our time
he writes, arranges, plays, produces his music and does it for others. He actually has a voice and is geninuely a nice man from what I gather and have seen over the years and his music is distint and timeless. Keep it up Barry and thank...
- read full review | report as inappropriate
- 3/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Nov-23-2007
- Manilow
A little disappointed in the quality of the CD. The music is a bit off and too slow. I owned a Barry Manilow CD before and this one seems slow and dragging.
- read full review | report as inappropriate
- 1/5
- From: Amazon
- Posted: Jan-07-2008
- PLEASE!! I only bought this for a friend's birthday
I would never, in a million years, voluntarily listen to Barry Manilow!!! I hated him when his music was popular, back in the 70's, and the intervening years have done nothing to enhance his appeal.However, one of my friends actually...
- read full review | report as inappropriate
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