What people search:
 | Title : Ultimate Manilow
Author : Manilow, Barry
Release Date : 20020205
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $7.65
(60
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Editorial Reviews :
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?
Buyer Reviews :
There's a lot of talk about Manilow's 'comeback' with the success of this greatest hits CD. But a comeback isn't the re-packaging of old hits. It's reintroducing yourself to the audience with new material. Regardless, the only difference between this release and Cheez Whiz is that the former comes in a CD and the latter comes in a can. My opinion puts me in the minority considering the high average rating for this CD, but the truth is this: Manilow is just as unhip now as he was back then. Folks may pick this one up for its sheer camp value, but for those who are serious conniseurs of pop, you're better off avoiding this one.
(by Rich)
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