Manilow, who gave disco very stiff competition in the hit charts of the world during the ’70s, makes music that uses every romantic cliché in the book. Critics describe his music as bland, corny, cheesy and when they want to really appear intellectual, irrelevant. But you have to admit it, it makes no sense to argue with the reflexes of the heart. When Manilow’s matter-of-fact vocals launches into one of his pretty melodies, Weekend in New England, the listener cannot help but get caught up in a flow of soaring emotions, achingly sweet, Even Now, but also cathartic, I Made It Through the Rain. And when that happens, all you want to do is listen to more Manilow.
I admit there have been times when I nurtured the impression that Manilow music is something you can put on the machine then forget it is even there. You will have nice tunes playing in the background as you clean out closets or balance the checkbook or for those times when you do not want to think of anything at all. But I made the mistake of doing this with the Ultimate Manilow VCD and from the first bars of the opening song Ready to Take a Chance Again, I forgot everything else except the urge to glue my attention to his marvelous performance. Wow, this guy still has what it takes.
Ultimate Manilow is Barry’s first television special after quite sometime. He has lately been off the charts but he remains an esteemed songwriter/producer/arranger. So this is a comeback of sorts and the audience in Hollywood’s famous Kodak Theater gave him a most enthusiastic welcome. Now in his 50s but looking trim and fit and sounding even better than before, the charming Manilow gave right back and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable show. In fact, the whole thing actually made me wonder if there will be a chance in the near future for us to watch him live. We have had a wide variety of foreign performers these past months, from Incubus to Andrea Bocelli, from the Searchers to Sarah Brightman. So why not Manilow? I am sure that the perennially lovestruck Pinoys still find his music irresistible and if his show is anything like what is on Ultimate Manilow, I am sure he will be a huge hit here.
Manilow does not do all of his hits in the show. It is a TV special with a limited time frame. What is included are Ready to Take a Chance Again, Daybreak, Somewhere in the Night, This One’s for You, Weekend in New England, Even Now, the new composition, Turn the Radio Up, They Dance, Looks Like We Made It, Somewhere Down the Road, Mandy, Can’t Smile without You, Copacabana (At the Copa) and I Write the Songs.
Of course I missed I Made It Through the Rain, The Old Songs and One Voice and Let’s Hang On. That is why I am thankful that instead of having to rummage through all the old Manilow records, I can now simply reach for the Ultimate Manilow CD. Made up entirely of the original recordings, this compilation is just the right companion piece to the Ultimate Manilow video. It has all of his big sellers plus more like his version of Strangers in the Night from his tribute to Frank Sinatra album and the inane but still amusing Bermuda Triangle.
The cover has liner notes written by David Wild, host of the TV show Musicians. In it is a quote by Barry in response to the question, of what he thought he had brought to the world of music. I think his answer sums up his remarkable career. "I think that in the end, it’s not about what you do that counts. It’s about how you made people feel. You know, when it’s over, I would like to think that the music that I’ve made has made people feel good."