Search - Barry Mann :: Soul & Inspiration

Soul & Inspiration
Barry Mann
Soul & Inspiration
Genres: Pop, Rock, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

No matter how many hundreds of incarnations they've taken on--from the Righteous Brothers to the Ramones--Barry Mann's songs combine solid craftsmanship with, at their best, irresistible magic that has ensured a permanent ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Barry Mann
Title: Soul & Inspiration
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Original Release Date: 1/18/2000
Release Date: 1/18/2000
Genres: Pop, Rock, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Oldies, Vocal Pop, Oldies & Retro, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 075678323928

Synopsis

Amazon.com
No matter how many hundreds of incarnations they've taken on--from the Righteous Brothers to the Ramones--Barry Mann's songs combine solid craftsmanship with, at their best, irresistible magic that has ensured a permanent spot in the American Songbook. Soul & Inspiration gives us a chance to hear these classics from the horse's mouth, along with help from such friends as Carole King, Bryan Adams, and Peabo Bryson in harmony vocals. Actually, given the unaffected honesty of Mann's vocal delivery, it might have been preferable to keep the production bare bones, with just the voices and the songwriter's vivid piano accompaniments. Kitschy effects occasionally intrude into producer Fred Mollin's textures, though there are also some inspired touches, such as the sitar on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." But as Mann pours himself into each song, it's a treat to imagine what it must have felt like the first time this cornerstone of the Brill Building triumphed over formula, knocking out a brilliant bridge here or an unforgettable turn there, all resulting in something that can only now sound inevitable in retrospect. --Thomas May

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CD Reviews

Too Funky 4 a Diamond, Emeralds of Rock & Roll
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 05/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Barry Mann has written some true classics; and it's marvelous to hear his less-than-perfect but highly emotional renditions of music he wrote. This album starts with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." Most will know the Righteous Brothers' hit version, but it has also been done by woman and man with Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood and Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. Here Barry teams with Carole King. The call & response vocals build and the harmony vocals soar as they knock this through the roof. In a perfect world, this would top the Adult Contemporary charts! The CD would be worth the price for this track alone, but there's more. "On Broadway" shines. "Don't Know Much" which Linda Ronstadt did so effectively on her 1989 "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind" CD is powerful. Teaming with Bryan Adams, Mann sings passionately with that pounding piano on the Animals' hit & Vietnam era theme song, "We Gotta Get Out this Place." "Soul & Inspiration" surges with Daryl Hall on harmony. Although I'd prefer Tina Turner's 1978 version of "Sometimes When We Touch" to this or Dan Hill, it's a sweet song that dodges schlock-rock. It's nice to hear J.D. Souther back on "I Just Can't Help Believin'," even if he's mixed low. Another great moment is when Mann teams with Peabo Bryson on "Just Once." The track should be a required text for soulful singing. Leah Kunkel really adds great strength to "Here You Come Again" which we're used to hearing by Dolly Parton. The album ends with the beautiful "Somewhere Out There." As pretty as it is, I'd have preferred if he'd ended with a rocker like "Kicks" which was #4 for Paul Revere & the Raiders. Being the first hit with an anti-drug message, this song was a milestone still relevant today. I'm sad it was passed over. Small complaint. This is an excellent addition to the legacy of the 60's. Now Mann's voice sells the songs he wrote."
Oldies written by the MANN
Lee Armstrong | 02/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"long known for his collaboration with former wife cynthia weil (leader of the Pack) mann joins up with some great singer-songwriters for his definitive version of his own songs. the result? baby boomer heaven!"
Wonderful!
ED | USA | 01/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a real 'Gem' - love his style --- and the songs they both gave us!!!!!!!!THanks!"