Customer Reviews

With My Lover Beside Me Music By Barry Manilow Lyrics By Johnny Mercer

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Vocal stylist. Song crafter. Song interpreter. Singers' singer. These are just some of the phrases I've seen used to describe the phenomenon that is Nancy Wilson over the years. It's almost as if people are so much in awe of her vocal prowess, that they feel to describe her merely as a singer or a vocalist - even a great singer or great vocalist - would be an insult. If that is the case, well, I couldn't agree more.

This is the only Nancy Wilson CD I own. I remember back in 1991 when it was first brought to my attention by a good friend who thought I would like it. He mentioned the word "Manilow" and I balked. But then he told me she was singing Johnny Mercer songs. Now, one of my favourite albums of all time is Ella Fitzgerald's "The Johnny Mercer Songbook", what with utterly timeless songs like "Laura", "I Remember You", "Early Autumn" and "Single O", just to name a few. Sure, it's Ella singing and she can make anything sound good and the music is arranged and conducted by the great Nelson Riddle but as good as all that is, it's the lyrics of these songs that get to me every time I hear them. I was intrigued. The songs of Johnny Mercer and the music of Barry Manilow? Might be interesting. Just to be safe, I got it on cassette.

Needless to say, I was blown away. I had no idea Barry Manilow was this good. Granted, I'm yet to buy a single song by him but I have a huge amount of respect for him that I didn't have before. He took the lyrics of Johnny Mercer (one of the greatest lyricists of the 20th century) that no one had ever put music to and put music to them. He then got the great Eddie Arkin to arrange the songs and finally got Nancy to interpret them. It's magic. While most great singers can get you to feel something, Nancy Wilson is one singer who makes me feel everything. Every single word and phrase she utters, she brings it like she means it. Like she's living it.

After about two or three listens I got it on CD and have been playing it constantly ever since. I cannot recommend it enough. I love this album so much that, as I said, it is the only Nancy Wilson CD I own. I am so scared that I'll chance another one and be disappointed. If anyone knows of an album that even comes close to the perfection of this one, I'd be really grateful to hear about it. Otherwise, while it might be ridiculous to be such a huge fan of one artiste based on just one performance, I'll be quite happy to be called ridiculous.

The album features jazz greats like Fourplay man Harvey Mason (on drums), Abe Laboriel & Neil Stubenhaus (on bass), Paul Jackson, Jr (on guitar), Kirk Whalum (on saxophone), Jerry Hey (on trumpet) and Paulinho Da Costa (on percussion) and it often gets filed under jazz but you don't even have to like jazz to love this. You just need to like good music and flawless vocals. I simply cannot find the right words to convey how much I love it and how good I think it is - even after owning it for 15 years. Every song stands out, even the "Epilogue" duet with Barry Manilow himself. Highly recommended!

As the liner notes will tell you, the lyrics of this CD are unfinished poems written by Johnny Mercer. These lyrics are just...beautiful. Innocent, sweet, charming - they give dignity to love and compassion and solitude and the privilege of loving another person. Barry Manilow took the lyrics and did an absolutely phenomenal job of arranging each piece to become memorable tunes. And Nancy Wilson herself - well, no one can sing like this. The voice is divine - aged, husky, provocative, what else can anyone say about Nancy? But what really stands out here is her phrasing - it is truly, truly remarkable. Buy this CD, and listen to "When October Goes" and see if it does not take your breath away. This is one of those albums that not only makes you happy to be alive, but happy that you have such damn good taste to appreciate a work as gorgeous as this.

A breath of exquisite Wilson magic. This album is easily one of the most accomplished Nancy Wilson's work in recent time. The lady is enjoying herself, wrapped in the warmth of Arkin's arrangement, Manilow's melodies and the late Mercer's poetic splendour. Whether love is aplenty in your life, or lacking momentarily, this album leads you on thinking of the simplicity and purity of love. Wilson's vocal is flawless and her phrasing superbly delivered. A tribute that would move Mercer himself, if I dare say. It has been a long time since songs of this nature are born. Everyone needs to be reminded of love so do youself a favour.

This was the first Nancy Wilson CD I ever bought, and it was the one that got me hooked into her music. No other singer can match her voice and style. The Manilow songs are likeable and his arrangements top-dollar. Highly recommended.

With Johnny Mercer's lyrics, Barry Manilow's talent to compose music to them, and Nancy Wilson's style and voice, this is a much to be desired CD to own. Every song has a true quality to it and is very pleasing to the ear of the discerning music lover.

It needs only one word to describe it...SUPERB

Nancy Wilson powerful and emotive jazzy pipes have long been wasted on pop trash the likes of which will never be recorded again. But this album, especially out her recent releases is as good as it gets and it's good. Wilson has fun with some superb styling and music by Mandel and Manilow. Her voice is well-suited to all the accompanied, which could have been sparser. Let's hope that Wilson goes into the studio soon to record some pop standards.

One of the best CD's I own. Highly recommended. Each song is a masterpiece in vocals/music scoring. Very sofisticated. A must have for the Nancy Wilson collector.

That's what listening to this CD reminds me of, there's a lingering sadness to this CD. It is written, arranged and performed movingly. Credit to Barry Manilow for taking unused Johnny Mercer lyrics and pairing them to such wonderful wistful melodies. You can feel it was a labor of love of all those involved, there's not a false note anywhere on this product. This was the very first Nancy Wilson CD I heard and was given to me from a friend. Even though I was only 25 at the time, I could appreciate the beautiful voice and arrangements coming out of my speakers. My favorite piece is "Can't Teach My Old Heart New Tricks", it reminds me of the lost love that can't be replaced. Nancy's wonderful interpretation brings tears almost every time I hear it. Of course the dramatic finale duet between her and Barry Manilow in "When October Goes" is the icing on the cake. I especially like to play this CD right around the fall when the leaves are turning yellow or red and the crisp fall chill just awakens the melancholy of autumn that this music wonderfully complements.

Yes - I am in love with Nancy Wilson's voice. She brings everything she has to music. And it is full of grace, tenderness and feeling. This collection of songs is breathtaking. I bought it almost 20 years ago, but I never get tired of playing it.