Customer Reviews

The Complete Collection And Then Some...

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This box set got me hooked on Barry Manilow music. Before buying this a few months ago, I wasn't familiar with Manilow's music. I had no idea that all these hit songs I vaguely remember from my childhood were all from one artist and are in this one big box.

The variety of music in this collection is incredible: from the beats (like NYC Rhythm, Copa, Riders, etc), to the go-for-the-gut power ballads (like "Tryin to get the feelin, Ready to take a chance" etc.), to classics (Could it be magic, Weekend in NE), to patriotic songs (Let Freedom Ring), to inspirational songs (I made it through the rain, One voice), to magical soundtracks (Let me be your wings), to smoky jazz (Big City blues, etc), to showtunes and swing. But regardless of the diversity of the styles in this box set, all the songs are stamped with the distinct rich melodies, solid arrangements, and meaningful lyrics that define Manilow's music.

The booklet and video that come with this are savvy marketing, chronicling with each song his meteoric rise to fame and showcasing some of his performances from his heydays in the 70s to 'Live on Broadway'---- and selling not only his public image as a performer, but also his songwriting and arranging. A wallop of real-life fairytale that makes him a real person, not just a voice, to anybody who buys this TOTAL entertainment package of a box set. If you are a very new fan like me, this will make you wish you had discovered Barry Manilow a long time ago. But owning this collection is the next best thing to having been there since "Mandy".

I love Barry Manilow's music, but the title of this 4-CD box set is misleading. If, for example, you'd like one nice package to pick up of all his hits and more, you'll have to keep looking. For example, "Mandy" is one of his most famous songs, but the version on this collection is the "unreleased original first take." Also, you'll find "I Made it Through the Rain" in this set, but only the "demo version." What's up with that? So, if you're a big fan and you want to get some demos, outtakes, and live versions in addition to -most- of the original versions of his radio/chart hits, this will work. If you're looking to get some sort of complete compilation, you'll have to get this plus some other Manilow CDs. I'm also wondering why "Let's Hang On" and "Oh Julie" (both chart hits in 1982) were left off entirely. Maybe the record company will eventually remaster and put out a comprehensive greatest hits compilation, minus the filler "hardcore-fan" only tracks. By the way, the 2002 release "Ultimate Manilow" does an OK job putting many of the hits on one CD, but it's still missing about seven songs (and it's not remastered). Plus, am I the only one looking to see the extended version(s) / remix(es) of "Copacabana" available on CD? In any case, this "collection" is still good, so happy listening!

This set is one of the best gifts I've ever received! Words of praise can't do justice to the hours of wonderful enjoyment I've gotten from the music in this collection. Familiar songs are like old, much loved friends, and early versions of familiar songs add insight into the creation process of a true artist, Barry Manilow. Then, there are the new songs - what a treat! With each one, it's like being given an opportunity to make a new and lifelong friend. I'm so glad I'm alive during the "Manilow Era". I've not yet picked a "favorite" from this collection - maybe I never will. There are so many that I like so much, a favorite may not be possible. Needless to say, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this boxed collection. Buy it - then sit back and enjoy it. Of course, for those who are not touched by the Manilow Music - never mind, you wouldn't understand anyway.

Having been under attacked by the critics through all 25 years of his career it is great to finally see this outstanding musician widely accepted.

This four-CD collection (plus a free video)is just brilliant and a very good mix of classic cuts, alternate versions and new stuff that shows the wide variety in this man's music.

Manilow excelled at both pop and jazz; his own compositions are as outstanding as his interpretations of other people's material. If you look beyond the hyped 70's "image" of Barry Manilow you will find a hard-working, gifted musician in these songs.

In my opinion, this collection is the finest boxset ever issued - "complete" in every sense of the word, including a highly informative booklet, and the quality of the new 1992 recordings are worth the price alone.

The Complete Collection...And Then Some is a superb collection of Barry Manilow's best songs (including approximately 5 hours of great music on 4 CD's, a home video, and a 68-page book with commentary by Barry himself) on each of the 70 songs included in this collection. Also, there are 30 previously unreleased tracks as well as new recordings espcially for this collection including, "If Tomorrow Never Comes", "Another Life", "I Can't Teach My Old Heart New Tricks" and "The Best of Me". This is a first-class Box Set featuring the music of a world-class musician and I highly recommend it.

This music collection by Barry Manilow is one of the best things I've ever spent my money on! His bedroom baritone voice just melts every bit of my heart, who certainly earns the 5 star rating, many times over. He is an excellent performer with every song he has ever sung or wrote, which is wonderfully mastered in this collection of music. Barry Manilow has been a favorite performer of mine for the last 20 years. I dont think there's anybody in the world who wouldn't enjoy his boxed set collection of music, it's guaranteed to give you countless hours of enjoyment and good feelings when listening to it. There's something in this collection for everybody! ;-) DawnG

I originally bought this box set when it first came out. Recently, my car was burglarized, and my CD player was stolen, along with Disk 1 in it. This is my favorite collection of music and is the first I am replacing after the incident.

I feel that this collection exceeds any and all other collections like it. It is soothing and relaxing. It gets my blood flowing and my heart racing. This collection is AWESOME!

Besides the fact that we share a common first name, I have little in common with seventies crooner Barry Manilow, but I have to admit to having a soft place in my heart for a number of his most famous song. Thus I recently purchased this CD, which has all my favorites and a whole lot more to often the casual fan. From the original rendition of "Mandy", which burst him onto the mid-seventies scene, to "It's A Miracle" to "Could It Be Magic", both the lyrics and the arrangements of Manilow's songs were memorable and immensely popular. He was truly the king of the formula song, and reportedly made his start in entertainment by writing clever jingles for commercials, and that sense for what is catchy and saleable permeates all of his work. This is not to say it isn't good, for much of it is really quite good, but to admit he was interested in writing popular commercial music. No fault there.

And he did it exceptionally well, with hits including "Can't Smile Without You", "Even Now", "Copacabana", "Looks Like We Made It", and "somewhere In The Night" among many others. He also was a superb interpreter of other's songs, as with his smash hit, "I Write The Songs". Some of my favorites are "Weekend In New England", "Somewhere Down The Road", "I Made It through The Rain", and "Trying To Get The Feeling". All of Manilow's work deals with aspects of love and romance, so he finds himself somewhat limited in terms of his scope. But within that particular genre no one has been more successful in producing such a stream of marketable songs that won such enduring public acclaim. Enjoy!

I worried that all the "alternate takes" and live performances would mean a sub-standard sound and lots of boring drum solos etc. Not to worry. All 4 CDs are top-quality productions, 100% classy, and completely satisfying. It seemed like a lot to pay for old memories, but it would have been worth it for the old songs alone -- let alone all the new ones included here.

I have been a MANILOW fan since the 70's.This set of recordings, I have in cassettes and disc, as I do ALL his albums.I play them all the time when I am feeling down or ill. Because my health has gone down hill for the last 20 years, Barry Manilow music has been my life line. IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES, has always been my way of thinking. I MADE IT THROUGH THE RAIN, is MY SONG. I came through cancer and a lot of other devistating problems with this song.ONE VOICE has helped me make decissions and help others less fortunate. As for ALL of Barry's music--I love all of it. Missed but one concert in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area because I had cancer surgery. But BARRY your MY MAN. I love you, God bless you and keep up the great music. Any true MANILOW fan -this album is a MUST HAVE. It says it all.