Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
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| Release Date: |
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| Label: |
Concord Records |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: Like many pop artists of his generation, Barry Manilow has long wanted to find a home for his tunes on the theater stage---and as Bette Midler's longtime music director and arranger, he was more fitted than most. On this recording, he performs excerpts from two shows he wrote in collaboration with lyricist and book writer Bruce Sussman; overall he comes across a lot better as a composer than a performer. Manilow starts by letting loose on the seven tracks from the flashy
Copacabana. Like the song of the same name, on which it is based, that show is an all-out cry for razzamatazz entertainment. "Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)" feels Bacharachian, while "Bolero de Amor" uses Ravel's "Bolero" as a foundation and "This Can't Be Real" is a smooth duet with Olivia Newton-John. The second show,
Harmony, strikes a different mood---after all, it evokes not a snazzy nightclub but pre-WWII Germany. The tunes are solid and sport lovely arrangements, though one gets the nagging feeling they would have been ever better sung by more versatile interpreters.
--Elisabeth Vincentelli
Tracklist of Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
Reviews:
Excellent !!!
I love Barry singing, I love him composing. But I think he could bring in new songs to his repertory. If you have more than 5 CDs you don't need to buy any other. That's why I love "A the Mayflower" and "Scores", with all his sensibility and talent. Besides that, I love Broadway Musicals. I rated 2 stars for the seven songs from Copacabana and 3 stars for the seven songs from Harmony. "Every single day" is divine!!!
Quintessential Mr Manilow
Barry was quoted as saying that his true love was composing and arranging as opposed to performing. In this CD one can hear the genius that is he. For example in the first piece 'Just Arrived' He captures the sound of the Track 17 train, the traffic and, along with the changes of key and tempo and the many 'Barry' overlaying voices, take one into the experience of young Lola arriving in New York City and the accompanying exhilaration. The ' Who Needs to Dream' is a perfect example of a song which should be played at the first dance of a bride and groom at their wedding. Olivia Newton-John is such a wise pairing with his voice. So in conclusion , the orchestration on this CD is exceptional and one can see why he exclaimed it a favorite of his. Looking forward to Harmony on the stage.
That's my Barry!
Oh Barry. You came and you gave...and continue to give. Until one of us is gone, you are and always will be my favorite singer. Granted, this is not my favorite album, but it's certainly worth listening to over and over again. Of course, the perfect end to an exhausting day is always Barry and a glass of fine wine!
