Customer Reviews

If My Heart Had Wings

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Simply the best female singer-songwriter of the past 25 years. Virtuoso vocal performances. (Many of today's would-be divas could take many lessons from Melissa). "Don't Let Me Walk Alone," the duet she does with Wentley Phipps, is equally as good as the BeBe & CeCe Winans version. Melissa's version of "Higher Ground" far outshines both Streisand's and Vanessa Williams' versions.

And why "In a Perfect World" was not a major hit is beyond me.

Melissa Manchester is a national treasure and quite simply the best all-around singer out there today.

Melissa Manchester is what used to be called "a recording artist." She is also what used to be known as "talented." The fact that some of her CDs are selling on this site for $.58 is a crime.

"If My Heart Had Wings" and "A Perfect World" are stunning examples of songwriting expertise, a soaring, clear, magical and emotional voice and lyrics that, if not always perfect, never fail to touch the heart.

It is beyond my comprehension why Melissa Manchester was never a bigger star than she was. But I have a theory: She was too good. She was too intelligent, too mature, too thoughtful, too tender, too much for pop music. She writes songs which require the listener to have a degree of maturity and intelligence. And of course, with absolutely brilliant songs on the radio these days like "My Hump" -- how could anyone of Melissa's stature ever hope to compete?

This album harkens back to a time when the company president (Clive Davis) cared about what his artists put on their albums. He would sit and listen to the songs. The artists had a higher authority to answer to. And the fact is that Clive was brilliant -- and still is. But now, all we get are people who are consumed with what they look like and "singing" about their sex lives. It is so incredibly boring and dull and repetitive that I would just as rather not listen to the radio again as long as I live.

If you consider yourself a music lover and you can appreciate the beauty of a true singer, then treat yourself to this album. It is not perfect. Melissa still tries to get that quasi-black sound on some of her songs, and some of the lyrics are borderline Hallmark. But on the other hand, when she gets it right, no one does it better. I mean no one. Melissa -- the world of pop music desperately needs you and I for one miss your presence on the radio. Please get a theme song into some movie so people will wake up and hear the divineness of you before it's too damn late. You are loved!

Her choice in songs are solid. At least four of them should have been top 40 hits: "In A Perfect World", "If My Heart Had Wings", "Heart Of Glass" and "Higher Ground". One reviewer mentioned that "In A Perfect World" should have been the theme song for "Titanic". It indeed has the perfect lyrics and power to match Dion. "The House That Love Built" tells us of an "older and wiser" Melissa. The message of this one really catches on after several listens. "If My Heart Had Wings" truly has wings. Both the lyrics and the arrangements soar. Her voice never sounded better and more sincere. "Heart Of Love" is one of those melodies that you can't get out of your head. I recently heard it in the background of some so so movie. Melissa sounds very happy and in-love in this one. "To Be In Love With Me" is another one with some thoughtful and introspective lyrics. The more you play this one the more you appreciate its reason for being on this CD. Melissa's version of "Higher Ground" beats Streisand's version, and that says a great deal. "Don't Let Me Walk This Road Alone" closes this CD on a perfect note. The CD has a central theme. Melissa sings about love, loss and hope as she always does. However, now we have a more mature perspective. "Crazy People" shows us she can still be sassy. This collection is forty plus minutes of pure pleasure, and a must for any Melissa Manchester fan from the 70's and 80's.

This CD is packed with great songs. It's a shame that artists like Melissa Manchester are so unrecognized...she truly is a great songwriter, vocalist, and performer. My favorites here are "This is the House that Love Built," "In a Perfect World," and "Higher Ground." Some of the songs on this CD are reminders of her "Hey Ricky" album from the 80's. Long-time Manchester fans, such as myself, would love to be able to purchase her 80's albums on CD (or even a compilation)...but they are unavailable at present. "If My Heart Had Wings" shows us that the singer has not lost any of her talent...she just gets better and better. I'm hoping for a new Manchester CD very soon!!!

Emotional content. Ms. Manchester delivers a song as if she has lived every moment of it; and she probably has. As good as songs she would have written herself. All Ballads . You'll cry, you'll smile, you'll be glad you spent your money.

A Perfect World is Melissa Manchester's finest work. Her control, her perfect voice made this her best work ever. The album fits perfectly with this song and complements it in every way. Any Melissa fans or people who liked her soulful years will love this. In style it is very reminiscent of Whitney's version of "I will always love you" and Madonna's "You'll see". I believe that Melissa could be a viable source in the biz if she could put an up to date edge on her music. This album's failure is strictly the fault of the label. They'll never get it. I wish I had a hand in the promotion of this album --it would have went platinum.

I have been a Melissa Manchester since 1973, so I do normaly enjoy her work in general. This was her first cd in a few years in 1995 and it was my favorite since her 70's work. I think "To be in love with me" is a classic. Also "Here to love", "If My Heart Had Wings" and "in a Different world" are all well worth hearing.

I didn't care for this collection for the first two years I owned it. I decided to really listen to it, and give it a chance, as MM had always been my favorite female singer. Well, at some point "In A Perfect World", "If My Heart Had Wings" and "Heart Of Love" leaped out at me. These three songs soar for me with all the poetry of her mid 70's masterpieces. "The House That Love Built" and "To Be In Love With Me" are almost as good as the other three. Good lyrics but MM doesn't soar on these. I didn't care for "Don't Let Me Walk This Road Alone" for the longest time. Then the simple message and harmony clicked. I can't say this is a well done song but I really like it. With the exception of "Tribute" this is my favorite MM since her mid 70's albums. More soulful and personal. Another MM must CD to have.

This CD contains some of the most simple and beautiful lyrics. Best cut, HIGHER GROUND, the title for Barbra Striesand's last CD. Vanessa Williams also did a version of this song, but nobody captures the lyric with flair as in Melissa's version! IN A PERFECT WORLD reminds me more of the Titanic than My Heart Will Go On. It should find it's way to the movies and soundtrack. When Melissa sings THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT live, the arrangement comes alive with a jazz flair. On the studio version, it's like a great song to a dull rock beat. And I love the Gospel Ballad, DON'T LET ME WALK THIS ROAD ALONE, with Whitney Fipps. The Boswell Sisters song, CRAZY PEOPLE is really fun! I wish that her duet with Japan's Tatsuro Yamashitta was also included.

Listen to her music you will love it