Barry Manilow - 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 Amazon.com

Great Singer but...

I know Barry Manilow is a great singer. But somehow the songs just didn't move me. July 12, 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 you for all the wonderful songs. April 17, 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 enjoys his music, so, for her 60th birthday, I bought a couple of his c.d.'s for her. There is no accounting for taste, obviously! January 7, 2008

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. November 22, 2007

Magical Manilow

Love him or hate him, this is Manilow at his very best, a truly great CD. November 2, 2007

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