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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Clive Davis's ear earns him more accolades than most of his talents' vocal chords. Now it's time to give it up for his enterprising instincts. The Greatest Songs of the Fifties arrives on the heels of another of the famous producer's backward-looking projects, the ubiquitous, uber-successful Great American Songbook series by Rod Stewart. The short story: same vibe, different era. With songs like "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Venus," and "Unchained Melody" (first recorded in the '50s but best known for its '60s Righteous Brothers rendition), Manilow sidesteps the stuff that rocked the sock hops in favor of cheek-to-cheek selections--the better to remind longtime fans of his nostalgia-steeped '70s hits. Overall, the approach works, especially when the bona fide '50s legend Phyllis McGuire steps in to heat up the "Teach Me Tonight/Sincerely" medley, and Manilow swings across genres to lovingly tackle Dinah Washington's "What a Diff'rence a Day Made." Vocally, a warm haze covers these tracks; whether it's there to evoke fuzzier times or to mask a voice that's gone slightly south is unclear. What couldn't be more crystal, though, is Manilow and Davis's commitment to first-class, sophisticated record-making. --Tammy La Gorce
Product Description
No one can reinvent the great classics of the 1950’s better than Barry Manilow. He breathes new life and vitality into these truly wonderful songs and they sound fresh and timeless. We are together on a mission to bring to a new generation the great songs of a different era, and reuniting with him makes it all the more special. -Clive Davis
Highlighted by a guest appearance from Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters on the medley of 1954 hits, "Teach Me Tonight/Sincerely," THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES is a veritable jukebox of favorites – from his remake of the Four Lads’ "Moments To Remember" (1955) and the Everly Brothers’ "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (1958), to Bobby Darin’s "Beyond The Sea" (1959)– but to hear them collected on one album is a dream come true. The project (just like the era it emulates) cuts across musical genres, from The Four Ace’s,"Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" (1955), to Frankie Avalon’s "Venus", to Johnny Mathis’ "It's Not For Me To Say" (1957), to Tommy Edwards’ "It’s All In The Game" (1958), and Dinah Washington’s signature "What A Diff'rence A Day Made" (1959). Some of America’s greatest artists are evoked on songs that are forever associated with them, for example, Tony Bennett on "Rags To Riches" (1953) and the Four Aces on the motion picture title tune hit "Love Is A Many! Splendored Thing" (1955). More: the spirit of Frank Sinatra imbues "Young At Heart"(1954) and Elvis Presley is remembered with "Are You Lonesome Tonight." "Unchained Melody" (1955) remains one of the most-recorded songs in contemporary popular music.
For Manilow, THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES is a true labor of love.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It all started in the used record bin... As our son had recently discovered the wonders of vinyl, we bought him a nice turntable for Christmas. One of his cousins gave him a stack of used records, some of them classics, some of them silly and one of them a treasure for me. Buried among the albums was one of Barry Manilow's first efforts. I probably squealed like a school girl as I gave it a play. Suddenly, I was seventeen again and listening to these wonderful songs on the record player (the kind with a handle so you could carry it around!) in my room. Before the night was through, I was on Amazon ordering the Ultimate Manilow and was not disappointed. My husband, however, thought I was nuts. I think that's a pretty fair reflection of most people's reaction to Barry Manilow's music- you LOVE him or you DON"T, not much in between. While I'm not a weird, rabid fan, I do love his music and have especially enjoyed "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties." His more mature voice fits the genre and by giving the songs a little Manilow style he makes them both fresh and his. My favorites are Unchained Melody (makes me melt), All I Have To Do Is Dream, Venus and Young At Heart. If you like/love this man's music, then you'll like/love this CD.
In response to some of the critics:
1. If I wanted to hear Elvis or any other of the original artists do this material I would buy the original recordings- but I don't- I wanted to hear what Barry could do with these songs.
2. You're right, at 60+, he doesn't sound like he did when he was 32, neither did Sinatra, neither does Rod Stewart or any other singer, but that doesn't stop it from being a rich musical experience.
In response to some of the critics:
1. If I wanted to hear Elvis or any other of the original artists do this material I would buy the original recordings- but I don't- I wanted to hear what Barry could do with these songs.
2. You're right, at 60+, he doesn't sound like he did when he was 32, neither did Sinatra, neither does Rod Stewart or any other singer, but that doesn't stop it from being a rich musical experience.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Five Stars? This CD deserves more. How many stars in the sky? Thank you Barry Manilow from all of us Seniors.This CD has us singing along and yes dancing to the fabulous songs of the 50's! As one of the tracks says...we are once again.."Young at Heart". Hats off to Rod Stewart(Great American Song Book) and Carly Simon{Moonlight Seranade}for starting this trend of bringing back these great oldies!My favorite track is the duet with Phyliss McGuire..."Sincerely-Teach Me Tonite" Buy this CD!! Then get yourself wonderfully lost once again in the 50's!!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Good for Barry to be back on top. Like the young singer (and fellow Las Vegas Hilton Hotel Headliner) Michael Buble, Manilow knows how to inject himself into the music and make it sweet.
Talented beyond words as a song writer and gifted as a singer in his own right Manilow makes marvelous music!! Great buy!!!
Talented beyond words as a song writer and gifted as a singer in his own right Manilow makes marvelous music!! Great buy!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Got the wrong album.
I thought I ordered incorrectly as I received Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits of the 60's...so I did not return it. I would have preferred the 50's.
Published 2 months ago by Ann Kennedy
Barry50
The CD has NOT arrived yet!!! If it does I will review it then!!I am hoping that this will be very soon as I have waited for quite a few weeks now,
Published 8 months ago by Chatsworth
I'd rather watch a Godzilla movie - at least it's entertaining....
Come to the arena folks. See Barry enter, with Arabian white horses pulling him and his piano on a flat stage. Yes. The crowd roars - but not with applause. No. Read more
Published 11 months ago by kevin :bunky"
Barry Manilow
How can you go wrong if you're a Barry Manilow fan or a fan of the fifties music. Great CD.
Published 18 months ago by Clara
Barry Manilow continues to be a wonderful performer!!
I know that a lot of people don't like his style, musical pieces and voice. I noticed many negative opinions and everyone has the right to have different points of view and... Read more
Published on October 25, 2008 by Maria Augusto
CD
Good price and fast service. My wife loves Barry and plays his CDs all the time. Will shop again and would recomment to anyone.
Published on July 27, 2008 by Michael P. Lenahan
Manilow Fifties
The Greatest Songs of the Fifties (Manilow) is my favorite CD. Listen to it everyday. Brings back many great memories.
Published on February 9, 2008 by Karen K. Leonard
Great songs by a great singer
Barry has chosen some great songs from the fifties and sung them perfectly. I don't think I can ask for more. This is the second same CD I have bought. Read more
Published on January 8, 2008 by Vincent AU YOUNG
so-so
Barry is good at Barry; leave the 50's to the people that did the original recordings.
Published on October 9, 2007 by joetagaz
Manilow Review
I loved the music on this CD! I play it over & over and it is so nice to hear songs I really love in the Manilow style. Great CD!
Published on March 26, 2007 by Linda N. Keeton
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