|
|
DiscountDelight - The Greatest Songs of the Fifties
|
List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $11.06
Your Save: $ 8.92 ( 45% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Arista
|
Average Customer Rating:   
|
|
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0828767721026
Format: DualDisc
Label: Arista
Manufacturer: Arista
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Arista
Release Date: 2006-01-31
Studio: Arista
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Why?
Comment: He was at his best when he sang about the loneliness, perseverance and dreams of ordinary people. In "Sandra" for instance it felt like he was singing about a neighbour. The combination of his warm voice with his piano could be very moving and was definitely unique. In the late eighties he started focusing on merely performing and doing cover versions, though the world wasn't exactly waiting for him to do Big Band tunes, the Sinatra catalogue or hits by other seventies artists.
He did release a few inspired tracks now and then, his first Christmas album had a lot of charisma and warmth, and "Here at the Mayflower" was a sincere effort. He is an intelligent person who cares for music and doesn't let his superstardom go to his head.
So, what has changed? And why this late in his career? Barry has reinvented himself as a (face-lifted)Las Vegas entertainer, Liberace style. And he's released an album with unchallenging versions of evergreens. I have no doubt that he genuinely wants to make people happy, like Liberace did. And I have deep respect for that. But I personally regret that Clive Davis and Manilow have now decided to manufacture products for a larger audience - one that doesn't really have any demands.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Flat boredom.
Comment: As is often the case with this style of music ( elevator , hospital lounges , dentist's offices muzak ), this is an unfailingly, numbingly pleasant, but unexceptional album that sounds appealing enough when it's on but isn't compelling enough to get excited about.
This is the sort of album that is almost anaesthetic, you put it on while peeling potatoes or folding the laundry - in fact, best not to put it on at all.
Absolutely safe , lazy , dull , boring , cheesy and fishy...nothing fresh or new.
Flat boredom.
In the same league of the latest albums by Rod Stewart , Selline Dion , Kenny G. , Bette Midler , Carly Simon...you know what I am talking about....
Customer Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Comment: I cannot say that I'm a big Manlow fan although I have enjoyed his old stuff and I feel he's very talented. I heard that this CD was doing well and decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed at all. Manilow's voice is in fine form and he does a superb job on all songs. I grew up listening to all of the songs he presents and find his renditions to be excellent. I don't know who the cloth eared clowns are who are giving the CD such low reviews, but perhaps they need to stick to their rap or heavy metal or whatever. Obviously they have no appreciation for quality music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: BARRYS BACK
Comment: THE MAN IS STILL AWESOME AND THIS ALBUM PROVES IT! I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO IT.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Awestruck!
Comment: Like many other folks, I have been a fan for 32 years. It seems like yesterday that I was struck by this man's unbelievable voice for the first time. It has been a pleasure enjoying each one of his projects. I am always wowed by each one. This time, however, I was absolutely blown away. There are no words to describe the feelings I get when I listen to his version of these 50's songs. He brought new meaning to each one of them. I thought, I'll see him while I'm in Vegas this week, live just once. Well,it was, as usual, a sold-out, standing-room only, unbelievable experience. I will be going back just to see him again. No one would touch this many hearts for so many years if the talent wasn't there. It's there, alive, well and stronger than ever! Ask my daughter, Mandy!
Thank you Barry! You have touched this heart for years!
Jean L.
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Clive Davis's ear earns him more accolades than most of his talents' vocal chords. Now it's time to give it up for his enterprising instincts. The Greatest Songs of the Fifties arrives on the heels of another of the famous producer's backward-looking projects, the ubiquitous, uber-successful Great American Songbook series by Rod Stewart. The short story: same vibe, different era. With songs like "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Venus," and "Unchained Melody" (first recorded in the '50s but best known for its '60s Righteous Brothers rendition), Manilow sidesteps the stuff that rocked the sock hops in favor of cheek-to-cheek selections--the better to remind longtime fans of his nostalgia-steeped '70s hits. Overall, the approach works, especially when the bona fide '50s legend Phyllis McGuire steps in to heat up the "Teach Me Tonight/Sincerely" medley, and Manilow swings across genres to lovingly tackle Dinah Washington's "What a Diff'rence a Day Made." Vocally, a warm haze covers these tracks; whether it's there to evoke fuzzier times or to mask a voice that's gone slightly south is unclear. What couldn't be more crystal, though, is Manilow and Davis's commitment to first-class, sophisticated record-making. --Tammy La Gorce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
