A Christmas Gift Of Love

Barry Manilow | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00006LFGC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,440 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barry Does it Again!, November 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Christmas Gift Of Love (Audio CD)

WOW! I just got this CD yesterday and it's simply mesmerizing. I am 16 years old (and a guy) and I am a true Barry fan. Barry's voice gets stronger with his age and this CD is a testiment to that. Some of the most interesting and creative arrangements of traditional Christmas songs are found on this CD. Many of the songs on "A Christmas Gift of Love" really swing! Here are my reviews of each song:
Winter Wonderland- Starts with sleigh bells and Barry's voice comes in. A beautiful acoustic rendition.
Happy Holiday/White Christmas- Possibly my favorite on this new album. The most powerful arrangements I've ever heard of these songs. Stunning.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town- This one really swings. Sounds like a Nelson Riddle arrangement.
(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays- This song, like many others on the CD, makes you feel good. This one will really brighten the holiday season.
I'll Be Home For Christmas- this one'll make your knees weak!
My Favorite Things- Wait until you hear Barry do this one! That's all I have to say
The Christmas Waltz- This rendition reminds me of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" for some reason. Maybe because it would have been great in the soundtrack.
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm- Wow! This one is arranged so perfectly! The orchestration is brilliant.
River- Perhaps the only song on this CD that isn't joyful. It's beautiful just the same. I think Joni Mitchell will approve of Barry's rendition.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?- Another feel good song on this CD.
Gift Of Love- Being Barry's only composition on his new album, it is simply beautiful. Short but beautiful. Classic Barry sound. In my opinion, it is the one song on this CD that sounds like typical Barry.
So, there you have it. I hope you will pick up a copy and listen! You won't be disappointed! Barry, you get an A+++++++ on this one.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful CD!!!!, December 19, 2002

By 

Christine S. Lok (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Christmas Gift Of Love (Audio CD)

I have this CD and I am having a hard time NOT listening to it. I absolutely love the way Barry did all these songs. I love the title track "A Gift of Love", it's beautiful. I also love the harmonica on "I'll Be Home for Christmas", nice touch Barry. Yes, I'm a Barry Manilow fan. Barry has breathed new life into this songs, especially "River". I never heard Joni Mitchell's version until after the "Christmas in Aspen" special when Barry sang the song. I love Barry's version much, much better - he gave the song new life and lots of personality. Sorry Joni. Otherwise, the rest of this album is alive with a touch of swing, jazz, pure enjoyment and celebration. It's obvious Barry had a great time recording this album and you can hear it. I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone who wants to hear something finger-snapping and toe-tapping. Barry, YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even if you think Barry is UNCOOL..., December 28, 2002

By 

John S. Harris "The Voice of Reason" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Christmas Gift Of Love (Audio CD)

...You're still gonna love this Christmas CD. His always-strong voice is in exceptionally fine form as he puts a jazzy/Broadway spin on some Christmas favorites.
A particular highlight is his cover of Joni Mitchell's "River", although it seems almost too vibrant for such somber lyrics. It turns out that many other artists have also covered "River". Holly Cole covered it on her CD "Onion Girl", and even Robert Downey Jr. has recorded it (and very well, too) for an "Ally McBeal" soundtrack CD. But Manilow's version is a pleasant surprise.

Manilow may not still have the chart success he had in the Seventies, but he hasn't lost a step. This may be considered a comeback record from an artist who never really went away in the first place. Buy it!!