by: Jeff Kauffman
Barry Manilow–One Voice
ONE VOICE, Barry Manilow’s latest album, has hit the charts and is doing very well, — quite a feat for an album that is neither disco nor hard rock, recorded by an artist who was relatively unknown four years ago.
In 1975, Barry started his initial tour following the release of his first hit single, MANDY. Since then he has continued to turn out hit after hit, with all of his albums turning platinum three and four times over.
Manilow combines his unique voice and piano playing and works upon the audience’s emotions with his slow songs of love and loneliness, reminiscent of the Beatles’ YESTERDAY.
ONE VOICE features Manilow’s hit single, SHIPS and his next single scheduled for release, WHEN I WANTED YOU (which I think will be a very popular song). Other selections which I especially liked were WHERE ARE THEY NOW and WHO’S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED?
If you liked Barry Manilow’s previous albums, then you will probably like this one as well, because ONE VOICE is similar to Manilow’s earlier LP’s in that it contains several songs full of meaning and emotion.
However, if you are looking for an album filled with fast songs and fancy guitar riffs, then ONE VOICE is not for you. My next column will review the album NIGHT IN THE RUTS by Aerosmith, an album that should appeal to the hard rock fans.