People are jealous because they can not sing as good as BARRY DOES

Barry already released "The Summer Of '78" and on that release he stuck to the hits of that year, he explores the rest of the seventies on this cd and inserts re-interpretations of his songs since he was a huge star then. Let me put this on the table, the original versions of the re-recordings are perfect and Barry was twenty years younger then, he had more vocal power and was able to keep up with the larger arrangements. Now, he scaled down the songs to accomodate the acoustic trend and the scaled down songs sound like demos. I prefer the originals. Now that I got that off my chest the covers here are good, "It Never Rains In Southern California" suits Barry well, the song was culled as a single. He teams up with Melissa Manchester for the Carole King "You've Got A Friend" and Melissa, as always, sounds great. Barry sticks close to the original arrangements and like the songbooks before, steers clear of rock. He does use a bit more orchestra on this cd, "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" comes off a little too easy listening.

The version of Even Now was not the popular version of the song. Had I known this, I would have purchased a different version.

I'd have to agree with most up here that this is a fairly "phoned in" effort, though as a professional arranger I would point out that "Sailing" does stand apart from the rest of the run of the mill stuff on here with a simply gorgeous orchestral arrangement (the intro alone is worth the album for me), and for once we hear a song modulate in an intelligent and truly uplifting manner. It really is the best arrangement of this song I've heard. On the other hand, "Close to You" sounds like a gorilla banging on the piano through the intro, no finesse here, just pounding. And the multi-layered Manilow harmonies are no match for Richard and Karen. Again he uses modulation pretty nicely in this one, and some nice chord substitutions throughout the album make it at least interesting at times. TH

i have bought to songs because of my parents i write the songs and copa they are wonderful i lsten to those songs alot it is much better than that stuff out today and im ! buy it!

Sounds like Barry is singing in slow motion. A 45rpm being played at 33rpm.

Cruise Ship! It was nice to see him get some good PR on American Idol. Barry thanks for all the memories. Don't ruin them with this junk!

I really enjoyed this album. I like anything Barry Manilow sings. I think he should do more songs of the seventines. All his songs are great to listen to because you can understand what he is singing. He doesn't scream when he sings.

COME ON BARRY TRY AND MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC. STOP MAKING FUN OF OTHERS!!!!

I agree with the "Album Review" for the most part, but I would like to add this; "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is the most beautiful version of that song I have EVER heard! Barry took the message of the song and gave it a voice. The original version by the Hollies and every cover of that song since never touched me like Barry's. Its just amazingly beautiful. I'm in Iraq now and when I heard it, I started crying. It's so powerful. I wish the entire world would hear it. I also agree with the Album Review of "The Way We Were". It was seemed uninspired. Barry's oun songs at the end of the CD are also a nice touch. Barry should do a "Greatest Songs of the 70's - TWO" beacuse there are so many good disco stuff he could do. Up to date arrangments of really great disco stuff. How appropriate and fun would that be?