Search - Melissa Manchester :: Home to Myself

Her 1973 debut is my favorite LP of all time

A. Russo | Cambridge, MA United States | 08/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I were stranded on an Island, I would need this CD to get me through! Her debut is filled with original compositions written with Carole Bayer Sager and includes some of the best tunes written in it's time. Crafted with drama, jazz, character and feeling, there is nothing short of emotion here.





She opens the set with her Gospel like If It Feels Good (Let It Ride). Easy follows nicely with it's ballad start up and dramatic finish. It was featured in Bob Fosse's All That Jazz. Next is the slightly pre disco playfulness of Something To Do With Loving You. Funny That Way is on of my favorite songs with it's plain and simple lyric with an introspect of sincerety. She also makes reference to her idols Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro in the openning line. Pick Up The Good Stuff is a reprise of If It Feels Good (Let It Ride) with a totally different feel. More dramatic and orchestral.



Side Two (track 6 these days) starts off with Be Happy Now. Another one of my favorite songs simply because of one line..."I will not apploliogize if we don't wear the same shoe size"

It's a handclapping almost John Lennon type of song that was released as her first single. The single was both A and B sides with a song Called Never Neverland which was not released on this LP, simply because it did not fit. It was covered by many artists including Phoebe Snow, but was not written by MM.

One More Mountain To Climb was played on the FM stations back in the day and could have easily became a single for her, but only one single was released. Another line I loved is 'Just when I think I've arrived I find I'm standing at the foot of another hill" hence one more mountain to climb. Jenny was written as a tribute to her sister. Doing The Best That He Can is song about her then relationship. Melissa was only 21 when this was released, so I'm not sure if that song was written for her husband or boyfriend at the time. And last but not least is the title track Home To Myself. A great song about feeling comfortable in one's own space. A very 70's thing...ya know!

It opened doors to such sucesses like I Will Survive!



The only negative thing I could say about this re-issue is Wounded Records poorly done packaging excluding lyrics that are important to any MM fan and then some. They could have also including Never Neverland for a bonus track as well. The sound quality sounds a little dated and tiny at times, but I'm sure they didn't take the time to properly master this CD.

Worth the cost and worth having in your CD collection in any form!"

Listening Pleasure

Margaret Walsh | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm thrilled that finally the long awaited CD versions of Melissa Manchester's music is finally being released. Original album release in 1973, it showcases more of her piano work. Although it's the earliest of her albums, you can still hear the strong quality of Melissa's singing voice. The CD sound quality is excellent."

At Last

Mr.Mew | usa | 05/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why was this one such a long wait?one of the best of the 70's singers/songwriters albums,simple as that.passion,sadness,hope,it's all here.what can you say about Easy?Home To Myself?One More Mountain To Climb?Jenny...well after Jenny,you can't say a thing.great pipes.great songs,great performances..."