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 Essential Series scores again Dec 22, 2008
As a child IN the 70's (now a late-thirtysomething), I was environmentally exposed to Barry Manilow. My parents had the Vinyl "Greatest Hits" 2 LP set that we'd slap on the turn table and sing along to. (The one with the close-up on Barry's face and he's wearing the gold star necklace)
Most of the tracks from that LP that I remember are represented in this collection, which made it a good buy for me.
Since that collection is what my experience of a Manilow collection should be, This review will likely be skewed in comparing the two. I don't have the knowledge of his full length albums, and such.
The CD of the GH I've mentioned above has a few differences as well, and since it's no longer in print I'll highlight them here.
The original LP had total 19 tracks, and the GH CD has 18. Time constraints for a single CD likely forced the omission of "Jump Shout Boogie" and shortening (significantly) Copacabana.
This "Essential Collection" starts to correct that, but doesn't duplicate the vinyl 100%. Copacabana is full length, but the version of "Jump Shout Boogie" is edited from the medley on the "Barry Manilow Live" CD instead of the original studio version.
The Essential Collection also omits "All The Time" and includes the "Barry Manilow Live" version of "Daybreak" & "New York City Rhythm." instead of the original studio versions.
In The "Essential" CD, I love the inclusion of the single versions of a few tracks. ("Could It Be Magic", "It's A Miracle") I have the original versions on other compilations, which makes these versions a nice addition for me.
"I Write The Songs" is listed as a "Single Edit" but I hear no difference in that track as I do on the CD version of the "Greatest Hits" I mentioned before, and the 4 CD / 1DVD Box Set, and the "Ultimate Manilow" CD.
"It's A Miracle (Single Edit)" sounds as though it's more of a re-mix - because the instrumentation is enhanced, and a little different than the other versions of the song I have on other compilations. Sounds like maybe a juiced-up - even more produced "radio friendly" version. The vocal sounds the same to me.
"Could It Be Magic (Single Edit)" is dramatically different than the full length version. The majority of the soaring instrumental sections of the song are cut out, or cut down, and there's even what sounds like a bad edit in the piano outro of the song, but after multiple listens, it may just be a real quick note played almost on top of the previous. Can't say if it was intentional or not.
Sound
Like many other music junkies, the iPod is my player of choice, and these CD's have not actually ever played in My CD player. I ripped them into my computer, transferred them into my Pod, and the CD's are filed in a box. That's how I enjoy them.
I mention that because in talking about sound quality, you should know how I'm listening to them if this review may help you in deciding to or not to purchase this collection.
In the car, through my cassette adapter, the tracks sound great as I'm whizzing down the road.
In my headphones, I hear a significant amount of tape hiss. That's no different than The "Complete Collection And Then Some", the "Ultimate Manilow", or the afore mentioned GH CD that I started talking about. They all have this sound to a degree. I'm sure we all wish for a new re-mastering of the tracks with attention to eliminating the tape hiss, but my understanding from reading the liner notes in the box set, Barry liked to capture things live in recording, so... who knows, he may even prefer to have that hiss there.
In terms of the tracks being louder than other collections, these tracks are louder than the GH, and the "Complete Collection", but "Ultimate Manilow" wins the "loud" contest. The tracks on the Essential Collection sound as good as any other collection you'll find, and better in some cases. It's certainly the best collection for the moderate fan, or beginner starting out. You just can't fit all of the "hits" and favorites from Barry on 1 CD.
Beyond the original GH Vinyl.
Since that collection was my exposure, it's fair to mention that The Essential Collection goes beyond and digs deeper.
Classic tracks that are included in the "Essential Colelction" that I didn't have on my original GH CD:
"I Made It Through The Rain"
"The Old Songs"
"One Voice"
"Read 'Em And Weep"
"Ships"
"Some Kind Of Friend"
"Somewhere Down The Road"
All of which sound great, and I'm happy to have them on this collection.
There are post 80's additions as well that are all new to me since I stopped listening to BM when I was in my teens and 20's that I'm learning to love.
The 4 star rating is because I prefer studio version on compilations vs. the live versions, and with the technology today, there's no excuse for the tape hiss. Barry's music is Pop-ilcious goodness and deserves a better mastering treatment. The 4 stars don't reflect Barry or the music in general, just the inclusion of live vs. studio and mastering. Otherwise - 5 stars!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 An artist like just a few! Oct 10, 2008
Barry Manilow has been a true driving force that brought back the romantic ballad to unexpected heights.
As a matter of fact, when female singers like Dionne Warwick, Mary Hopkins, Branda Lee, Roberta Flack and Dusty Springfield; male vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, Bobby Vinton, Neil Diamond, Steve Wonder, Glen Campbell, Bobby Goldsboro, Frankie Vali, Billy Joel, Kenny Rogers and Oliver; unforgettable ensembles like Gary Puckett & The Union Cap, Peter Paul and Mary, Fleetwood Mac, Bread and duos like Simon & Garefunkel and The Carpenters gave the romantic genre a distinguished originality and superb expressive presence, Manillow added and depicted a marvellous musical landscapes thanks to his impressive arrangements, just at the historical moment when most of discotheques by then began to diffuse the Disco music genre (1975), he dared, faced and triumphed against all the odds.
Fortunately for all of us who lived our youth in the far seventies, became aware his distinguished refinement and lyrical commitment.
Indeed, he is part of the legend.
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
solid compilation--even if it's not truly complete... May 12, 2008
The Essential Barry Manilow is a strong two CD set that features (most of) the best of Barry Manilow. It can't truly be complete because Barry Manilow has done so many wonderful songs in his time that no two CD set could ever be complete; but this still holds its weight pretty well. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is about par for this CD series.
The first CD starts with a huge hit for Barry entitled "Mandy;" this torch song moves me whenever I hear Barry sing it. Barry puts a lot of feeling into this ballad and it works very well. "It's A Miracle" is a relentlessly happy, upbeat tune that celebrates the joys of love; Barry sings this perfectly with a backup chorus as the percussion marks the beat--great! Listen also for "Bandstand Boogie;" "Bandstand Boogie" is a loving tribute to the days of the big band style arrangements and the bandstand hits.
"Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" is a most tender love song that Barry makes so special with a fine treatment that impresses me greatly; and "Weekend In New England" is easily a major highlight of this first CD. Barry sings this with panache and his voice never sounded better! "Can't Smile Without You" may have its critics in the therapist community; but when I hear this I can only hear and see a loving song that again celebrates the joys of love and the admission that we all need someone to love. "Can't Smile Without You" is one of my very favorite Barry Manilow hits ever.
"Copacabana" really swings and sounds great although this actually was never one of my personal favorites; and then the second CD continues the hits. "Somewhere In The Night" gives us Barry singing a touching love song that always moves me when I hear it--it's flawless. "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" is yet another classic Barry Manilow tune that shines as Barry sings it as only he could! The melody is really very pretty and it works so well to make "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" a very special number. Similarly, "I Made It Through The Rain" is truly a masterpiece that Barry delivers as only he could; this song touches me and it proves very well just how well Barry can sing.
In addition, "Brooklyn Blues," a number that's somewhat more modern in its style, gets a fine interpretation by Barry and this sounds so smooth when Barry Manilow sings it. The second CD also ends nicely with Barry's "up-tempo mix" of "I'd Really Like To See You Tonight."
Barry Manilow remains a king in the music entertainment industry; and even though this CD set is not truly all his greatest I still recommend this. I think it would take at least another CD or maybe even two to capture all of Barry's best hits; but what we do get is five star material throughout--and that's wonderful.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
MUSICWOMAN Mar 11, 2008
What can I say ... !?! It's 100% Barry, all my favourites & the best on two discs. It was great !!! At the sound of the first note I was suddenly 15-16 again ... and the magic works each time I pop it in the player. The recordings are straight from the original albums so it's all just as I remembered it. A must have just for Barry's composing talent alone.
0 of 24 found the following review helpful:
 Make me want to vomit Barry! Aug 08, 2007
Today I was listening to Hannah Montana's CD and I thought boy does Barry Mannilow sucks!! all I can say hearing Barry sing really makes you appreciate great singers! like Hannah Montana! when he plays the piano it sounds to me like all of his fingers are missing they should change the letters in piano to paino because this CD gave me a lot of pain.
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