Barry Manilow: DUETS (review and giveaway)

DUETS COLLECTION BY BARRY MANILOW

Audio CD (May 3, 2011)

Original Release Date: 2011

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Sony Legacy

ALL-STAR DUET PARTNERS BARBRA STREISAND, BETTE MIDLER, MEL TORMÉ, SARAH VAUGHAN, DIONNE WARWICK, SHEENA EASTON, REBA McENTIRE, KID CREOLE, THE ASSOCIATION, AND MORE

Available at both physical and digital retail outlets starting May 3, 2011, through Arista/Legacy

Description from Sony Music/Legacy Recordings: Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning recording artist Barry Manilow has been proudly collaborating with the world’s greatest singers whenever possible. His duet partners have included Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, Reba McEntire, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Diane Schuur, Phyllis McGuire (of the McGuire Sisters), Sheena Easton, and many more. He has also collaborated with pop groups like Kid Creole & the Coconuts and the Association.

For the first time, 15 of Barry’s most outstanding and memorable performances with an A-list of singers have been collected on DUETS. The title will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting May 3, through Arista/ Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. DUETS is a timely reminder of Barry Manilow’s successful residency at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas, with performance dates now extended into 2012.


“I’m very proud of this album,” Manilow said recently. “Recording each song was a thrill because these singers are so great, but listening to all of the cuts back to back was an overwhelming experience. Getting the opportunity to sing with them was an honor.”


With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R and R (Radio and Records). His track record includes no less than 25 consecutive top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Track Listing:

1. * You’ve Got A Friend Melissa Manchester The Greatest Songs of the Seventies 2007
2. Hey Mambo Kid Creole and the Coconuts Swing Street 1987
3. Let Me Be Your Wings Debra Byrd Thumbelina O.S. 1994
4. Cherish/Windy The Association Greatest Songs Of The Sixties 2006
5. Look To The Rainbow Barbara Cook Showstoppers 1991
6. Islands In The Stream Reba McEntire Greatest Songs Of The Eighties 2008
7. Big City Blues Mel Torme (featuring 2:00 AM Paradise Café 1984 Gerry Mulligan)
8. On A Slow Boat To China Bette Midler Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary 2003 Clooney Songbook 9. Run To Me Dionne Warwick Manilow Collection/20 Classic Hits 1985
10. Summertime Diane Schuur (featuring Swing Street 1987 Stan Getz)
11. Sincerely/Teach Me Tonight Phyllis McGuire The Greatest Songs of the Fifties 2005
12. Blue Sarah Vaughan 2:00 AM Paradise Café 1984
13. Now And Forever Sheena Easton The Pebble and the Penguin O.S. 1995
14. I Won't Be The One To Let Go Barbra Streisand Duets (by Barbra Streisand) 2002
15. The Last Duet Lily Tomlin Barry 1980
* indicates previously unreleased mix

My take: I had high hopes for this CD because #1, I have enjoyed Barry Manilow music in the past and #2, I do love me some duet music.  And some of my absolute favorite singers are on this CD with him, namely, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.   The actual CD was disappointing though, to say the least.  When trying to put my finger as to "why" though, I was hard pressed to articulate the reasons.  Perhaps because I don't recognize most of the songs so I couldn't sing along (I love to sing along with good music - alone in the car of course!).  Perhaps I don't like Barry Manilow as much as I thought I did.  Regardless, except for the three duets with the three artists I mentioned above, I pretty much skipped through this entire CD.  However, I think if you are a die-hard Barry Manilow fan and are of an older generation, this CD may be for you.  Perhaps a late Mother's Day present for someone fitting that description in your life?  If so, read on for how to win a copy of your very own.  ♫

Biography of the artist: Smooth crooner Barry Manilow is best known for hits like "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," "Looks Like We Made It," and the tropical pop-disco smash "Copacabana." Though he is often derided by critics, it is estimated thought that he has sold around 75 million records in his four-decade career.

The giveaway: One lucky winners will win their own copy of Duets by Barry Manilow!

To win: Leave a comment here telling me who is the Barry Manilow fan in your life you want to win this for (even if it's you!) Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

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This review was sponsored by Arista/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment who provided a screener CD for review and a CD for giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the screener CD (unlabeled CD, no case, no value).