Barry Manilow has recorded an album similar in approach to Rod Stewart's bestselling set of Great American Songbook albums. However, Manilow is more tightly focused on the 1950's, and he avoids any attempts at cute gimmickry resulting in a straightforward, pleasing, if unspectacular, collection. It will be difficult to avoid singing along.
A Worthy Reminder of the Pop Music of the 1950's
One of the best aspects of Barry Manilow's exploration of classic songs from the 1950's is that it reminds us all that rock 'n roll was only one part of the pop music of the decade. The 10 years that gave us Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly is also the same period that gave us such evergreen tunes as "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," "Young at Heart," and "Sincerely." Manilow covers a collection of songs that were squarely in the mainstream of pop music 50 years ago.
Lacking in Classic Manilow Bombast
One of the most frequent criticisms leveled at Barry Manilow's classic hit songs such as "Mandy" <Listen>, "I Write the Songs" <Listen>, and "Even Now" <Listen> is that they are overwrought, over-produced, and even bombastic in tone. His approach on this album is to reduce the layers of crashing sound in favor of focusing on the melodies present in the songs. Compared with the classic Phil Spector production of "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers, Barry Manilow's version is mellow and introspective.
Top Tracks From the Album
- Unchained Melody
- Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
- Sincerely / Teach Me Tonight
- Are You Lonesome Tonight?
- Young at Heart
Rewarding, Diverting Listening Experience
Although Greatest Songs of the Fifties is unlikely to convert the legions of Barry Manilow skeptics, it is a rewarding album to hear with a number of pleasant surprises. The McGuire Sisters' Phyllis McGuire makes a guest appearance to turn in a solid reading of "Sincerely," a tune made famous by she and her sisters over 50 years ago. Barry Manilow's arrangment of "Are You Lonesome Tonight" drops the sticky sentimentality of Elvis Presley's version in favor of an elegant production reminiscent of Henry Mancini's classic movie themes.
Whether this album will gain new followers or simply satisfy the solid fan following Barry Manilow has maintained over the past 30 years is an open question. However, it is worth noting that the collection Ultimate Manilow debuted at #3 on the album chart just 3 1/2 years ago. Perhaps the world is ready for a bit more Manilow magic.
