The best of Barry. If you are a fan, this is a must have! For some reason, his voice is a stress reliever for me.

Luis Mejia (son) - if there is a truly complete while not fatidical Barry Manilow's compilation containing just his MOST important, famous titles in a comfortable 20 songs, one-disc presentation which is a must for being introduced into his works and to recognize his most unique talent, all expressed in a different way throughout its many different songs, it is Ultimate Manilow. The far by now most essential, complete and important of all of his compilations, it captures, not only his most famous titles, but a group of songs with unique basis of his most tender, romantic, soft, easy listening piano ballads, which it is precisely his most distinctive expression of one of a kind music, it is difficult to put onto words what makes Manilow a once in a life time performer. This is it, but don't be dissapointed, as his piano, his voice and his expressive emotionalism is just what someone needs to understand Barry Manilow, as any listener will comprehend just by the first listen, what makes Barry Manilow unique, and this, my friend, may stand as an impossible task for a compilation, but, because of a strange magic, Ultimate Manilow got the point. You can swing from different emotional boundaries in this album from famous, top soft, elegant piano ballads Mandy, I Write The Songs, Weekend In New England, Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again, I Made It Through The Rain, The Old Songs, and Somewhere Down The Road, to his breath taking emotion in his most emotional, sentimental, somber compositions Could It Be Magic, This One's For You, Even Now, Ready To Take A Chance Again and Ships, and as a higlight, it also contains his most joyful, light themes with Bandstand Boogie, Looks Like We Made It, Daybreak, Can't Smile Without You and Copacabana (At The Copa); everything to expose the soul of a man made of hits, but don't expect any rarity, you may expect these on an Essential. The Album contains a brief biography and all of the titles' lyrics, so, if you may want to get into know this man in the most complete but versatile way, get into the maistream of adult contemporary, or just mellow out in the most simple but meaningful way, don't doubt on getting this perfect compilation: Ultimate Manilow.

Of course Barry is just one of the most genuine singers out there! And all of his music is beautiful, heart felt, and can put a smile on anyones face! this is a GREAT CD to add to your collection! I just LOVED it! I grew up listening to Barry on my Mom's records! Now I am collecting them on CD!

This is the very BEST Barry Manilow CD I've found! It has all my favorites on one CD! Doesn't get any better than that.

Manilow's music is over hyped. Plus we now know that he is an extreme left winger who will not talk to people who are republicans or conservatives. If he feels this way all conservatives and republicans shold boycott his music. If he can't talk to us, why should we listen to him.

The only rendition of "When October Goes" I'd ever heard was by Nancy LaMott. It's gorgeous and sad. I had no idea that Barry Manilow had written it (with Johnny Mercer) until I bought the "Ultimate Manilow" cd recently (I had no Manilow recordings at all, but being a child of the '70's knew his tunes well).

This song came on, next to last on the cd, and totally caught me by surprise. As well known as Manilow is, learning he had written this and hearing his truly excellent rendition has seriously broadened my view of him. This is not a "pop" song - in my mind it is part of the American Songbook, up there with the best of Cole Porter, Gershwin, Cy Coleman - you get the idea. If you've never heard this song, you owe it to yourself.

The performance features a small ensemble - piano, bass, drums, guitar, from what I hear. The acoustic-ness and intimacy of it cause me to daydream that maybe it's the kind of tune he especially appreciates being able to do - no over the top production values, just straighforward, thoughtful, expressive music making. Like I said, it changed my view of him.

Barry can not not not sing. he should take some lessons from actualy good singers like Hannah Montana. All Barry does is playthe piano and sing songs about rain if I listen to him I'd be crazy!!! Honestly how has he made a career??????? Hannah Montana is way better and her name rhymes barry doesnt ryme with manilow last time I checked okay!

Wonderful!!! The DVD of Ultimate Manilow performed at the Kodak Theatre is very good. I would highly recommend getting the DVD.

If you loved his stuff when you first heard it, you will love this one as well.

This collection costs less than most other Manilow sets but still manages to include all of the essentials. The sound quality is fantastic- Until picking this up, I was forced to rely upon tapes from the early 1980's to get my fix. The mastery here is spot on and only further compliments the ageless style of Barry's music.

I grew up listening to Manilow, one of my first LPs being his double live album. I cannot listen to his music and be in a bad mood. I guess you either love him or hate him; I love him. He was such a big part of my preteen and teen years and helps me recapture a little bit of innocence. Just enjoy him for what he is- a great entertainer.

It is a famous piece of music collection which keeps being eternally heard.

Has all the classics of his I like and know the words to.

Such a great CD, such a great voice, great to listen to while cleaning, relaxing, must have if you are a Manilow fan.

I guess my friend thought it would be funny to give this to me as a Christmas gift....after I opened it (and promptly put my foot up his [...]) I quickly put it on the "re-gift" pile.

Ah, c'mon, people...I'm not that shallow...

I'll tell you this much, though, I'm not a big fan of Manilow Man. Never have been. I don't know why. It's like asking me why I prefer sage green over baby boy blue. Yeah, Manilow was big during my youth. In fact, my sister got the whole family tickets to see Barry Manilow at the Hollywood Bowl in 1978.

I've never forgiven her for that.

Y'see, I was into Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, the Doors, Kansas...I didn't have time to pollute my mind with Barry Manilow. I didn't have too many synapses firing at the time, if you know what I mean, and so I had to preserve as many brain cells as I could. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to bring you such an entertaining review.

I'm not going to say it's bad, because it's not. It's actually kind of fun. I mean, who can't listen to Copacabana and not smile as you are turning off the CD and going into the bathroom to throw up? And then there's, Looks Like We Made It. Made what? A mess? A waste of time in the recording studio? A really bad song? Enlighten me, Barry, please...what did you make and how can I avoid it? And then there is I Can't Smile Without You. Giving renewed hope to co-dependents everywhere. This guy can't smile, can't laugh, can't sing, can't do much of anything without this other person in his life....is he whipped or what?

I don't even like the title of this CD, 'The Ultimate Barry Manilow'. How preposterously arrogant of you, B. M. Hee Hee...Barry Manilow's initials are BM...that's like me entitling this review, 'The Ultimate Review'....

Hey...that's not a bad idea.

Okay, to be fair, this album is not bad. It makes a great coaster, it flies through the air like a rocket, and is a great place to stick my gum on during dinner.

Hey, you might like it. My sister does. I brought it over to listen to. The poor dear, those straitjackets look so uncomfortable.

Peace & Blessings, people

P.S. Thank you for the gift, Jim. I hope you like the electric pizza cutter I got you.

This was my very first Barry album. For many many years, I knew little about his music, just a few songs I liked. Since I had a 6-CD changer in my car, Barry got a slot. He sat there with Andy Williams, Mannheim Steamrollers, and a few others. (That's what I call "music".) I played a few select songs on the album now and then, or let the whole album play when its turn came up. I don't know where my head was, because this is a great CD. It just took me a little longer than many to appreciate the magic of Manilow. All the songs are his classics and are all great versions--20 tracks in total. If you don't have any/much Barry, this is a good CD to have. Basic Barry, for a little less than the cost of a large Starbucks and a bagel :-)

But, be careful. Like I said, this album started it for me. Now I'm HOOKED on Manilow! After awhile, I just HAD to HAVE MOOOORE!

Unabashedly romantic and sentimental, Barry Manilow has always filled the need for uplifting pop music. Taking the lead from other famous crooners, his pop sensibility brought heartwarming smiles throughout the seventies. 'Ultimate Manilow' makes the rest of his collections obsolete. (Although notice how quickly his 'Best Songs of the Fifties' hit the top of the charts "even now".) It must be conceded that his voice is a mixed blessing. It is engaging and reverent to the subject matter, but while many of his songs soar with the orchestration, on the biggest notes his voice falters. Nevertheless, the songs are great. He particularly arises to the occasion on such classics as "Mandy," "Weekend in New England," and "Somewhere in the Night". Although the most progressive numbers of his songlist are the best, including "It's a Miracle," "Daybreak," and the big band jazzy "Bandstand Boogie". Not for the cynical, Manilow can break the ice with heartfelt classics, like "Tryin' to Get the Feeling," and "Can't Smile Without You". Not all of it is great, however. "This One's for You" and "Copacabana (At the Copa)" demonstrate banality, even if the latter edges out with some winning entertainment. The less familiar material near the end are welcome additions to his familiar repertoire. For those of us who don't mind conventional popular music, Barry Manilow fits the bill with an uplifting, traditional catalog of music that has aged well with the production. Who else since Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Dean Martin has managed to keep crooner pop classics going past the sixties?

Jerry McCulley's above review had a great line in it, which bears repeating here...."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." I love that quote. I have always adored Manilow's music, never liking it from a so-called "ironic" standpoint. This is great baroque pop music, a lot of which Manilow wrote himself. This stuff works as well as it does because Manilow is SO sincere, so real, so passionate. I don't feel ashamed at all for liking this (I dig bubblegum music, which Barry's music has similarities, but his is much more resonant). This CD is all you really need in terms of greatest hits. The 4 CD box set has mostly outtakes and alternative takes, which are nowhere near as good as the final products. This set is must cheaper, and there's nothing superfluous on this CD. I love this stuff, and not from a Generation X, "ironic", standpoint.

I was thrilled with this cd. It had all of my favorite songs from when I was young. Defiantely brought some wonderful memories back. Even my husband loved it!

Baby boomers get accustomed to listening the songs of Micheal

Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Brian McKnight, R. Kelly, and Usher to

date.

Just a copy of this title of Manilow could still be recommended

for the beginner of the romantic ballad category.


The song, CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU, will have gone quite for

your own proposal to a girl you want.

As to me, guess what ?

I've never considered myself a Barry Manilow fan, but decided after seeing him on American Idol the other night I would give his new album a try and picked this one up at the same time. I'm so glad I did...I enjoy this one so much more! Maybe it's nostalgia, but I'm enjoying it. Have to highly recommend it to everyone, young, old and in-between!

When I hear Barry Manilow's hits of the 70s it really sends me back in time and reminds me when even as a child I knew he had something going for him. Unfortunately his voice is a bit synthetic or canned, and more than a few songs are of average quality.
Whenever I hear one of his songs, my mind immediately flashes back to the 70s when he did a commercial for Coca-Cola. Subconciously, at that point, I realized that he really cheapened himself and to this day I pass him off as something akin to a novelty act, I'm afraid to say. No doubt he's produced some beautiful, great songs, but he plasticized himself by going commercial. I'm glad he made the songs he did, for it brings back great memories of my childhood.

This CD is worth every penny. All his most beloved classics in one awesome listening experience. I highly recommend it!!!

A must have for any Barry Manilow fan! Makes you turn up the volume and sign your heart out.

This is truly the ultimate collection of Barry Manilow songs. It has all of his very best songs and makes a great companion for long drives and short hops. It's impossible not to sing along with Mandy, It's a Miracle, Looks Like We Made It and his other greatest hits. And for those who like Manilow and who also like close harmony, maybe I'll see you when his show, The Comedian Harmonists, opens on Broadway!

Barry Manilow, the butt of too many jokes, was one of the best at what he did.

He wrote and sang simple pop songs and ballads that ingrained themselves into your brain with sinister ease.

I know this, because as a young kid during the 70's, his music was inescapable. And although I doubt I've listened to "It's A Miracle" ONCE since I was twelve...

...I still remembered every word.
The song came on the CD in my car, and there I was, singing along without missing a beat or a word or a note. It was scary, like I was possessed by some Manilow-singing demon. (Now THAT would have been a great Buffy episode, no?)

There are songs here that, like it or not, are in the pop pantheon of great singles.

They can be (and often are) quite dumb, but they are harder to shake than herpes.

"Mandy", "I Write The Songs", "Bandstand Boogie", "Weekend in New England", "Daybreak"...the tune, "Can't Smile Without You", if played three times in a row, will give you a cavity. True.

Is it me, or does R. Kelly merely copy "Copacabana" with his ludicrous "Trapped in the Closet" series? And you can't SING his like you can Barry's.

Seriously. Travel to the most remote outpost in Siberia, find a little hut sheltering a small family with no running water, electricity or heat. If you look any one of those family members in the eye, and say out loud, "Her name was Lola...", you will hear back, in mangled but perfectly understandable English, "...she VASS a CHO-gurl!"

Manilow is everywhere.

For years I'd been waiting for a proper compilation of Barry Manilow's work with my favourite track of his on it and this one is it! Yes, I too went through the phase as a teenager where I'd rather be dead than to admit that I liked Barry Manilow but now that I've aged substantially since then, I don't have a compelling need to feel "cool" if I don't want to and so I'm coming out of the closet to say yes, I like Barry Manilow, so there!

Looking back all those decades, I'll have to say that Barry Manilow is my favourite crooner. Not only is he a great singer but the songs he's chosen to sing are also wonderful and great examples of excellent songwriting. This album has been very well mastered and so the sound quality is very good too and with 20 tracks squeezed onto one disc you get great value and great track selections as well. You could safely say that all his best work is here.

Starting with "Mandy" we get track after track of great songs to the Grammy-winning "Copacabana" to end with "Somewhere Down the Road." My favourite tracks are "Daybreak", the brilliant "Weekend in New England" and "Even Now." This has got to be the best one-disc version of Barry's best work that's out there. Highly recommended.

When I first heard barry Manilow, it had to be 1972-73. His first album had "Could It Be Magic" on it. I was either ten or eleven years old. I was rasied listening to the radio. I hardly watched television. I've heard them all from the old soul hits, to rock & roll, to hard rock. "Could It Be Magic" was just such a beautiful song. As a grammar school kid, this song never left my music memory. When I hear this song I go back to the early 70's. Experiencing young love as an adelesent-pre teen, this song would be the, forever go back song, for me. The introdution to "Could It Be Magic" was taken from Chopin's Movement in C Minor (that's if I'm not mistaken about the title). It only added to the song to perfect it. I wasn't kidding about the young love thing. There was this girl by the name of Diane. I had a big crush on her. But like all crushes, she didn't feel the same about me. At least until later, when she finally noticed me. This song was the one that came to my mind. It had to be magic because Diane spoke to me!!! "Could it be Magic". "This One's for You" is Barry's anthem love song. He lets us know that when he sings, it is from his heart. This is a song of past loves leading into a present love. The song is very melodic. The orchestration is timeless. It complimented the song nicely. Nothing electronic here. Real violins, cheloes, drums, woodwinds, & drums. Then there is "Copacabana"!!! The song that people make fun of, but for the love of God, can't hate. This mix of "big band" and Latin disco beats just gets you. You want to like the song but you don't look cool in front of your friends if they catch you listening to it. But you've got to like this song. This cd is full of the Manilow hits. If you are from bck in the day and was musicly versed (meaning you didn't limit yourself musicly) this cd is for you. I've got a lot of memories locked in music and Barry Manilow " wrote the Songs". (At least some of them.)

Barry Manilow is the greatest singer of all time for me. This album puts all his hits right where you need them for a wild night. When I hear "Copacabana", I could easily be the pivot man for the night (as long as everyone else is playing the maracas). "It Could Be Magic" is a song I've always loved cuddling up with my boyfriends to. Every time I hear "Daybreak" it takes me back to days out riding (cycling) and spandex shorts.
"Can't Smile Without You" just makes me think of summer, banana splits, and canvas bags on the beach. This is the "Ultimate Manilow" collection. Thanks.

Barry Manilow is the greatest singer of all time for me. This album puts all his hits right where you need them for a wild night. When I hear "Copacabana", I could easily be the pivot man for the night (as long as everyone else is playing the maracas). "It Could Be Magic" is a song I've always loved cuddling up with my boyfriends to. Every time I hear "Daybreak" it takes me back to days out riding (cycling) and spandex shorts.
"Can't Smile Without You" just makes me think of summer, banana splits, and canvas bags on the beach. This is the "Ultimate Manilow" collection. Thanks.

I was so excited when this finally arrived in the mail! I have been listening to it non stop... It certainly takes me back and reminds me of all of the good and special times in my life. This is a great CD with all of the songs you love to sing along with. Enjoy!

I bought this album in preparation for a trip to Vegas with friends to see Manilow at the LV Hilton. I wanted to "refresh" myself about his music, which I loved as a kid. We named the family dog Mandy because thanks to my Mom, we listened to Manilow a lot. I am surprised to find after all this time, I am listening to the CD and singing along with it at the top of my lungs. The songs are infectious and you just can't help yourself. It's feel good music at it's best. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who has ever enjoyed the music of Barry Manilow and I am really looking forward to seeing him in Vegas after hearing the CD.

This is an excellent CD to introduce Barry to a new audience. It has his hits, and maybe helps a new Fanilow to discover his music.

It is also perfect for a die-hard Fanilow to complete the collection because the songs are in chronological order.

I am in great company when I proclaim that Barry Manilow is the greatest male American singer of all time! This man has longevity; I mean, look how well this album is selling, even after 3 great decades of music!

I was first introduced to Barry Manilow by my father's girlfriend when I was a young teenager. I am now 26 and he is and will remain the absolute, undisputed greatest singer in my mind. This man is full (to bursting) of passion, charisma, and charm. This collection is a great representation of his greatest hits, most notably:

#3: Could It Be Magic: yes, it could be...and it is. Based on a Chopin prelude and carrying you into a whirlwind of musical genius, this is one of my favorite Manilow hits.

#7: This One's For You

#8: Weekend In New England: this is a great example of lyrical beauty. These lyrics have inspired me for years and have sparked my own creativity:

"I feel the change coming
I feel the wind blow
I feel brave and daring
I feel my blood flow

With you, I could bring out
All the love that I have
With you, there's a Heaven
So Earth ain't so bad"

#15: Ready To Take a Chance Again: also observe these lyrics:

"You remind me I live in a shell
Safe from the past and doing okay
But not very well.

No jolts, no surprises
No crisis arises
My life goes along as it should
It's all very nice, but not very good"

#17: I Made It Through the Rain
#19: When October Goes: quite a beautiful song, lyrically and melodically!

If you are a total fanatic of Barry Manilow, this collection is not enough. It lacks some of what I consider are essential hits: "I'm Your Man," "All the Time," "Don't Talk to Me of Love" (Wow, this is a great song), "My Girl / No one in This World" (Another truly great, but somewhat unappreciated Manilow hit), and "Read 'em and Weep" (my absolute favorite Barry Manilow song, and one of my favorite songs of all time). I mean, observe these lyrics from "Read 'em and Weep:"

"It started out with a bang and at the top of the world
Now the guns are exhausted
And the bullets are blanks
And everything's blank

If I could only find the words
Then I would write it all down
If I could only find a voice
I would speak
Oh, it's there in my eyes
Oh, can't you see me tonight?
Come on and look at me and read 'em and weep"

Fortunately, all the above hits can be found on the box set, so anyone who adores Manilow must also get the box set! There's one song that I can't find on any Manilow album (even the box set). It's an excellent song called "Run to Me," a duet with Dionne Warwick. It's hard to find, and I believe it's out of print, but worth seeking.

In closing, I must once again proclaim that Barry Manilow is the greatest male American singer of all time. This is a singer to play for your children (and name your child after) and to be played and played and played! I am also compelled to note that I have abandoned most American music lately (because most of it sucks) and have taken a very keen interest in French music. If you love and adore Barry Manilow, you will also fall in love with Julien Clerc, a male French singer who has a similar passion, charisma, and longevity! Check out the albums "Si On Chantait" (a collection of Clerc's greatest hits) and "Olympia Integral 94" (a live album). Julien Clerc is absolutely great; check out my other reviews. Once you're intrigued, then check out Patricia Kaas, Camille, and Benabar. Truly, the great Barry Manilow is the only one who keeps my interest and faith in the great American song! Thus concludes my review! :-)

Denise C. Floyd, author of "Tales from the Boudoir" :-)

The Complete Collection and Then Some...
Platinum Collection
Tales from the Boudoir

WOW. This Cd was really great with a collection of great songs by a great singer with one voice Barry Manilow , There is not a bad song on this Cd having some of his most popular hits on one cd is great like " Mandy , Its a Miricle, Daybreak , and of corse COPACOBANNA) one of my favorite of manilows songs , this is a great collection and is worth to have in your cd collection