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Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton-John
Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
Genres: Pop, Rock, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Like many pop artists of his generation, Barry Manilow has long wanted to find a home for his tunes on the theater stage---and as Bette Midler's longtime music director and arranger, he was more fitted than most. On this r...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton-John
Title: Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Concord Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2004
Re-Release Date: 9/28/2004
Genres: Pop, Rock, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Adult Contemporary, Soft Rock, Vocal Pop, Musicals, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 013431225126, 0013431225126

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Like many pop artists of his generation, Barry Manilow has long wanted to find a home for his tunes on the theater stage---and as Bette Midler's longtime music director and arranger, he was more fitted than most. On this recording, he performs excerpts from two shows he wrote in collaboration with lyricist and book writer Bruce Sussman; overall he comes across a lot better as a composer than a performer. Manilow starts by letting loose on the seven tracks from the flashy Copacabana. Like the song of the same name, on which it is based, that show is an all-out cry for razzamatazz entertainment. "Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)" feels Bacharachian, while "Bolero de Amor" uses Ravel's "Bolero" as a foundation and "This Can't Be Real" is a smooth duet with Olivia Newton-John. The second show, Harmony, strikes a different mood---after all, it evokes not a snazzy nightclub but pre-WWII Germany. The tunes are solid and sport lovely arrangements, though one gets the nagging feeling they would have been ever better sung by more versatile interpreters. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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CD Reviews

This is an excellent CD
Robert G Yokoyama | Mililani, Hawaii | 09/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just picked up a copy of this CD and love it. If you are a Barry Manilow fan, you will enjoy this album like I did.

The songs are on this album are from two of Barry Manilow's Broadway stage productions. Copacabana is a musical based on the Barry Manilow hit about a club. I loved the updated version of this song. It sounds fresh and upbeat. This song is definitely a major highlight on this album. Dancing Fool is a very energetic song that really makes you want to dance. Harmony is a musical about the first all boy band who broke up during World War 2. The title song to this awesome musical is included here. It is a light and pleasant song about trying to forget your troubles even though a war is going on. I also enjoyed the song Who Needs to Dream. This is a pretty romantic song that suits Barry's easy listening voice well.



Barry duets with Olivia Newton John on a beautiful song called This Can't Be True. The two pop music icons from the 70's sound great together here. Barry sounds very good on this song Every Single Day. The lyrics are so powerful and dramatic. This song is very moving, and I absolutely loved it. Bolero De Amor is a song about a dance. I really enjoyed this song, and I thought Barry performed this number with a lot of love and passion.



Stars in the Night is a song that reminds us to never give up hope even when things are tough. The message in this song fits the mood of the musical Harmony very well. I hope I get to see these productions on stage someday, because the music is truly delightful."
Hauntingly Beautiful and Addictive
Loves Books | Maryland USA | 10/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the CD after reading so many positive reviews. I didn't think it made that huge an impression the first time I listened to it, but then the songs started to play in my head.



My favorites are In This World, which has such an incredible feel of the era that Harmony is set in that you can nearly envision it - I think it's completely charming and it's Manilow at his finest and as only he can deliver.



Stars in the Night and Where You Go are simply hauntingly beautiful and touching - they're masterpieces. Due to the time in which Harmony occurs, the lyrics and music take on deeper meaning and these songs did the ultimate for me - I FELT what they were writing about. As another reviewer said - you can envision the footage we've all seen of that horrible period of time being shown to this music - and I found myself reflecting on the horror of it all and feeling it in a way I hadn't before - thinking about the individuals and families whose worlds were torn apart. I don't know how you can listen to this CD without being deeply affected.



Every Single Day is a show stopper and vintage Manilow. I'd heard this song on a Manilow DVD from a live concert and have to admit I thought Barry's delivery on that was better (he's such an incredible performer) than the one on this CD, but they're both wonderful - and it's just a beautiful love song.



I enjoyed the COPA songs, especially Dancin' Fool, but have to admit I haven't given them the play I have the songs that called to me from Harmony - but I often played them afterward because they're so upbeat and happy that it's contagious. You Were in My Dreams has long been one of my favorites and is another classic Manilow at his finest.



One of the things I've always loved about Barry Manilow is his ability to not only write, but deliver music in a way that makes you feel it - and this CD is one of the finest examples of that. It also continues to showcase his versatility in the diverse styles of music he can write, sing and arrange (Mayflower is another example of this).



I think this is a wonderful CD and recommend it highly - it's a musical odyssey."
This guy's a wow!!!!
Virginia Garland | Pennsylvania | 10/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I couldn't wait to buy this CD! I had heard a few songs from the shows, since I'm a huge fan, but the one that I really love the most is "Just Arrived," or "Where You Go." Every song on this CD is superb! You can't go wrong with this CD.



"Just Arrived," is a perfect opener for this CD, and then takes you into "Dancin' Fool," which has an awesome and energetic beat, that hooks you immediately. You can find a different version on disc 2 of the Complete Collection and Then Some box set. The next song is from the 1985 TV movie, which Barry starred in... "Who Needs to Dream?" and I'm glad he didn't rearrange it... it's just beautiful and so perfect.

I adore the new arrangement of "Sweet Heaven, I'm in Love Again!" It has more feeling than the old one, released on the very rare, "Manilow" album. "Bolero de Amor," is romantic, and has such a smart lyric! A true treasure.

The duet with Olivia Newton John, "This Can't Be Real," is so beautiful, just romantic, and the lyrics are enthralling... one of the best love songs ever written.

The new remix of Copacabana is exciting and draws you in, though not as good as the original version of the song, it's a great addition to to the CD.



I sure hope "Harmony," makes it to Broadway! I love the score! The title song is so much fun, with Barry doing a lot of fun scatting. Then the ballad, "And What Do You See?" is a song that really does make you think and draws you into the emotion of the story. "Every Single Day," a song Barry performs in his concerts from time to time, is so passionate, so classic Barry... reaching the climax perfectly. "This is Our Time!" is great, got a fun lyric which we all need to hear. "Where You Go," is one of the most touching of all these songs, and almost made me cry... I love the melody and the smoothness and rich tones Barry applies. "In This World," is awesome, Barry does the background vocals and gives it charm the only way he can! "Stars in the Night," is powerful, is inspiring and is the best way to conclude a CD.



All in all, enough said... buy the CD... it's probably the greatest of Barry Manilow's CDs!"