Search - Barry Manilow :: Ultimate Manilow

THE Ultimate Collection..Going No Further

Christopher Swantek | Dupont, PA USA | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I look back at much I've spent on Barry Manilow CDs and the like, I have to say that this is most likely the best investment.

We had in the United States an "Ultimate Manilow" album released that was supposedly remastered. Yeah. Right. I picked up this one, played it, and was amazed at the the clarity, sharpness, and God knows what else. As a consumer I want quality and I got it. Whoever took this album and the songs, cleaned them up thoroughly then put them back down again deserves a day off. I heard instruments that I did not hear before. To whomever I say, THANKS!

I don't know who chose the United States version, but this one definitely worth an A. The version from Germany and Australia isn't bad either. They are the same, but you don't get the sound quality that most people want for their money or ears. You can pick up "2 Nights Live" and I've done a review on here for that as well. Manilow is good at taking his 70s stuff and throwing them on a CD, as he is in taking hits to his current concert tour "one last time". (You don't really believe that do you?) "2 Nights Live" should've been released in Fall 2002. Instead we waited at least a year and a half. Hello? Maybe what has to happen here and I've played with idea for a little while, is that we let Mr. Manilow get told what to do. It doesn't look like he's the most responsible artist. (Hint: This album is great from the U.K. but if you want a really, really wild "live" album buy Neil Diamond: Stages And Performances 1970-2002). As soon as his tour was done in 2002 he went to work on this project and got it out by September. Hmm..Thanks! :-)"

Ultimate Manilow--Imported Version

Kathy W | Baltimore | 12/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great album! There are 20 tracks, instead of the often 10/12. They range from a wee bit under 3 minutes to almost 6 1/2. Total album time is a tad under 1 1/4 hours. Mine said "imported from Germany". Sound quality is great. It is different than the USA version of "Ultimate Manilow"--different songs.



As you can see from Amazon's listing of songs, many of the Manilownian classics that we all love are included, such as "Mandy, Copa. One Voice, Even Now," etc. An outstanding Barry-tized version of "Let's Hang On" is included. "Bermuda Triangle" is also included and is a cute island/calypso-beat song about a guy who takes his girl to Bermuda. (Don't go to Bermuda. The Triangle makes people disappear.) his girl runs off with another guy, so "Bermuda Triangle very bad." Then he meets another girl (who ditches her guy), so "Bermuda Triangle not so bad." Amazon lists "Blue" but I am not familiar with that song and it does not appear to be on my CD. "Moonlight Serenade, Read Em & Weep, Some Kind of Friend" also do not appear to be included. Must be a typo. The songs I DO have which are not listed by Amazon are "One Voice, Weekend in New England, Tryin to Get the Feelin', Looks Like We Made It, and Who Needs to Dream".



"You're Lookin' Hot Tonight," was a new uptempo song for me and I like it. "Who Needs to Dream" is included and is BEAUTIFUL and one of my many favorites. "Who needs to dream when there is you. Who needs a heaven to look forward to. For my whole life through, who needs to dream. You're my dream come true." (Guess I'm a hopeless romantic. Probably something to do with being Pisces.)



A booklet is included with the CD, with a 3-page blurb on Barry and the words to the 20 tracks of music so you can sing along. Of course, Barry's enunciation is always so clear that you can easily understand 99 out of 100 words he sings.



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