Is it wrong for me to think Barry Manilow is one hell of a singer?

He's live on American Idol tonight, and he also knocked them out on Oprah's show a couple of months ago. His songs may be corny but wow - what a singer.

But the guy has sold a lot of records so he must be doing something right.

He was on last night and talked about things he did with the Idol candidates. He came across like a guy who genuinely tried to help these kids.

and maybe it is the corny factor but he's always made me cringe and shudder. I even had a dream about him years ago, that he had no friends, he'd heard I didn't care for him and wanted to know why. I had to work out in dreamland my guilt about uncalled for rejection of someone I don't even know. I had to become his only friend in the dream because I felt sorry for him. Lord, help me, my unconscience works overtime on dumb stuff.

Most people who have lived through the 70s have become aesthetic cripples, so we will not only forgive you, but feel sorry for you.

Redstone

You have to admire ANYONE that still brings them in after so many years... good for him. Seems like a really nice guy, too.

;)

How have you been?

How are you? Just got a volunteer/unpaid internship at my Public Library in Bel Air, MD. What are you up to?

Out there on the road looking for stories. I was down in your neck of the woods the other day when I had a load going to Virginia. Things are going much better for me now days. I'm making more money. The only bad part is that I'm away from home a lot.

:hug:

go figure. I think it was Mike Love (from the Beach Boys)

Bruce Johnston.

I like Manilow some but always thought it was funny he did not write that song. :-)

Great job...

Barry ManHeBlows.

And no, he hasn't grown on me :evilgrin:

Just compared to Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, etc. he isn't so good.

and I don't care who makes fun of me for liking him.

nothing to be ashamed of. :)

My tastes lean to AC/DC, okay?

But I saw him in 1974 when he was backing up Bette Midler. He did a solo routine halfway through the show.

I risk losing my grizzled rock chaps for this, but he was very good.

in perfect pitch, but close enough for me. He's a really exceptional song writer/arranger. No one can do modulation like Barry!! As a classically trained pianist, I really love to play his piano arrangements - very rich and challenging. Have to admit that I love him to pieces! First album I ever bought as a young teen was a Barry Manilow - I know - weird kid. :D

so many singers make singing look like such hard work and they torture the songs to the point the melody is lost. He just opens his mouth and smooth clear song comes out.

But I have never, ever, ever liked his music.

And I'd sooner poke sharpened knitting needles into my ears than ever hear "Copacabana" again.

And you know what? There are a lot of songs the guy has done that I just cannot stand, but I can't deny that the songs that he's done that I HAVE liked are really, really good. He is a first-rate musician who knows how to move people with arrangements and vocals like nobody else.

I caught him on American Idol the other night performing "Unchained Melody". Call it blasphemy, but I actually thought his version is BETTER than the one the Righteous Brothers recorded. And his version of "Memory" from CATS--as much is I love the original Elaine Page version--is, I believe, the best that there is. Manilow's brings tears to my eyes.

I don't know if you've ever heard the original song that Manilow's "Mandy" was based on, but it was originally kind of a silly, lilty novelty tune named "Brandy". Mr. Manilow recognized the basic tune's potential as a ballad, and by George, if he didn't make it into a really good one.

It's the kind of music I listen to when I'm home alone and would just like to relax and listen to something soothing.:applause:

Sure, we can discuss the lyrics, vocals, arrangements, etc - but usually it comes down to what sounds good to you.

Night, DU! Not going to bed, but signing out.

I became such a Barry lover that night. So much that I still have the streamer I caught during the finale.

That man is an entertainer.