Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony [Enhanced]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Like many pop artists of his generation, Barry Manilow has long wanted to find a home for his tunes on the theater stage---and as Bette Midler's longtime music director and arranger, he was more fitted than most. On this recording, he performs excerpts from two shows he wrote in collaboration with lyricist and book writer Bruce Sussman; overall he comes across a lot better as a composer than a performer. Manilow starts by letting loose on the seven tracks from the flashy Copacabana. Like the song of the same name, on which it is based, that show is an all-out cry for razzamatazz entertainment. "Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)" feels Bacharachian, while "Bolero de Amor" uses Ravel's "Bolero" as a foundation and "This Can't Be Real" is a smooth duet with Olivia Newton-John. The second show, Harmony, strikes a different mood---after all, it evokes not a snazzy nightclub but pre-WWII Germany. The tunes are solid and sport lovely arrangements, though one gets the nagging feeling they would have been ever better sung by more versatile interpreters. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony, Music, Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton-John, Adult Contemporary, Musical Theater, Musicals, Pop, Pop Vocals, Show Tunes, Soft Rock, Vocal, Vocal Pop

Average customer rating:

I Know the Score--Copa & Harmony

I didn't expect to like this

If you like mucicalls and lovesongs.

Great Musicality

Quintessential Mr Manilow

Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony
Barry Manilow , and Olivia Newton-John
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0002VL10K
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Just Arrived
Dancin' Fool
Who Needs To Dream?
Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)
Bolero De Amor
This Can't Be Real - duet with Olivia Newton John
Copacabana (At The Copa) 2005 Dance Mix
Harmony
And What Do You See?
Every Single Day
This Is Our Time!
Where You Go
In This World
Stars In The Night

Amazon.com

Like many pop artists of his generation, Barry Manilow has long wanted to find a home for his tunes on the theater stage---and as Bette Midler's longtime music director and arranger, he was more fitted than most. On this recording, he performs excerpts from two shows he wrote in collaboration with lyricist and book writer Bruce Sussman; overall he comes across a lot better as a composer than a performer. Manilow starts by letting loose on the seven tracks from the flashy Copacabana. Like the song of the same name, on which it is based, that show is an all-out cry for razzamatazz entertainment. "Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)" feels Bacharachian, while "Bolero de Amor" uses Ravel's "Bolero" as a foundation and "This Can't Be Real" is a smooth duet with Olivia Newton-John. The second show, Harmony, strikes a different mood---after all, it evokes not a snazzy nightclub but pre-WWII Germany. The tunes are solid and sport lovely arrangements, though one gets the nagging feeling they would have been ever better sung by more versatile interpreters. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

I Know the Score--Copa & Harmony.......2006-08-08

This CD is a compilation of 14 songs from the 2 musicals Barry wrote: "Copacabana" and "Harmony," so, as you may have guessed, this CD has that "Broadway Musical" flair. They are all great arrangements. My personal favorites of this album are: "Sweet Heaven, I'm in Love Again" from Copa, "Every Single Day" and "Stars in the Night" from Harmony. Of course, the more I listen, the more favorites I have. "Who Needs to Dream" has such beautiful words. Copa is kickin' and done just a wee bit different this time. Olivia Newton-John does a duet with Barry in "This Can't be Real".

"Every Single Day" is a story about two people in love. She can't decide if it would be a mistake to get married, because things aren't perfect. He's saying how much he loves her. Very beautiful. "Stars in the Night" is about finding hope, from inside a prison cell in Germany, just when things seem hopeless. A very moving piece.

Inside the CD case is a booklet with all the words to the songs, so you can sing along. All great songs, from the Magic of Manilow.

I didn't expect to like this .......2005-09-01

This album surprised me -- I bought it only because it's his most recent work. The songs from "Copacabana" are great, of course -- Barry Manilow is a remarkably talented composer, arranger, producer. Everyone raves about the duet with Olivia Newton-John, but I thought it was merely okay (Barry still has a great voice, but I'm not sure about Olivia). The song that really haunts me is "Where You Go," which is quite moving and powerful (it's a romantic interpretation of Ruth 1:16-17, set to music). The more I listen to this album, the more I like it.

If you like mucicalls and lovesongs........2005-08-20

If you are just a little bit romantic and like the voice of manilow you should buy this album. It's easy-listening music wonderful to hear over a candlelight dinner or in the car. F.ex the tune "sweet heaven I'm in love again". If you like BM you will love this album.

Great Musicality.......2005-05-08

I love this album its full of great musicality from both of Barry's musicals, Copacabana's jazz & dance to Harmony's drama a melody...both reflect a sadness of tragedy within the stageplay
in some songs and others with happiness and showmanship.
Who Needs to Dream and Stars in the Night are my favourites...Barry just goes on getting better and better...what a writer, what a performer!!

Quintessential Mr Manilow.......2005-03-20

Barry was quoted as saying that his true love was composing and arranging as opposed to performing. In this CD one can hear the genius that is he. For example in the first piece 'Just Arrived' He captures the sound of the Track 17 train, the traffic and, along with the changes of key and tempo and the many 'Barry' overlaying voices, take one into the experience of young Lola arriving in New York City and the accompanying exhilaration. The ' Who Needs to Dream' is a perfect example of a song which should be played at the first dance of a bride and groom at their wedding. Olivia Newton-John is such a wise pairing with his voice. So in conclusion , the orchestration on this CD is exceptional and one can see why he exclaimed it a favorite of his. Looking forward to Harmony on the stage.

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