Spinner

Barry Manilow Recording Best 'Make-out Album of All Time'

Barry ManilowIn the mid-'70s, Barry Manilow wrote the songs that made the whole world swoon. With tunes like 'Looks Like We Made It,' 'Weekend in New England,' 'Could It Be Magic' and 'Ready to Take a Chance Again,' Manilow was a maestro of the make-out session.

Now, three decades after his crooning heyday, Manilow is returning to romance at the suggestion of music industry titan Clive Davis. "I'm making [a record] he asked me to do called 'The Greatest Love Songs of All Time,'" Manilow tells Spinner. "It's the make-out album of all time."

That's a bold claim, but Manilow and Davis are using the songs of legendary lyricists to back it up. "We picked songs from Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach and others, and they're gorgeous," he says. "They're the greatest love songs of all time and I tried to make it into the most beautiful album I can make."

On top of that, Manilow may also be spreading his message of love via the big screen. As we previously reported, the production companies of Tom Hanks and R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe are looking to make his music the centerpiece of a film. "I don't know what condition it's in but, boy, it's a great idea," he says. "I haven't heard anything about it in a while, but I hope it happens."

The rumored project would actually tell the tales of Manilow fans gathering for one of his concerts in Las Vegas. "That's what I love about it," he says of the concept. "It's about people that like the music I've done on their way to this concert and what their lives were like. I just think it's great -- it could be funny, it could be moving, it could be sad. I think it's a great idea and some great writer's gonna have a ball with this idea."

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Paul Kuchera

Barry Manilow is one of the all time great song writers of our day, (of my life anyway), and my all time favorite album is "MANILOW LIVE". I loved to listen to his jingle medley so much I wore that song out. If anyone knows where I can get this album on a CD that INCLUDES the jingle medley...please let me know. I'm proud to say I've seen Barry in concert many times and can't wait to get to Vegas to catch more then one of his shows there. I AM A FANILOW and PROUD OF IT.

August 23 2010 at 12:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roy

Barry Manilow is the new #1 performer since Michael past away hands down people stop saying he's gay he's not.. Put hits together like him and you will find a handful of performers close but way behind him. So Be Quiet new Album will sell millions and then what people will say he didnt write that one so what . At least he doesn't lip sync like other performers do and charge you $400.00 to see them....what else do I have to say...It's Manilow time sit back listen and enjoy... for all you haters i mean jealous people shut up and go comment on Brittnys Page or someones page who no one cares about...Three albums will chart..increasing his legendary status.....FTW...

November 07 2009 at 12:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Connie Peirson

I hope that Barry has had his surgery and that all went well. I wasn't sure when he was having his hip surgery. Barry, I hope that you know how many fans of yours have been hoping and praying for you to have a great recovery from your surgery. I have been a long time fan of yours and have been to many concerts. You are a master at what you do and you touch me every time I am at a concert of yours. You have this special way with people that is amazing. If they are a fan, then they are forever a fan. I hope that I can see you soon wherever that may be. Love, Connie

November 04 2009 at 8:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alexis

Two words to describe Barry: class act. Whether you like his music or not, there is no denying that. I even sang with him on stage in San Diego in 1999. What a gentleman.

November 04 2009 at 4:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alan Rees

Saw Barry in St Davids Hall Cardiff and experienced one of the greatest shows ever.
His talent will certainly do justice to the proposed great songs of the past, hurry up please.

November 04 2009 at 1:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda Morell

I have been a Barry Manilow fan from the beginning of his career. My
husband and I have been to many of his concerts and
have enjoyed each one. I hope the album is a great
success and a movie would be super. His music is an
inspiration to many people young and old. Keep writing
those songs Barry.......We love you.

November 04 2009 at 7:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rascals

I have loved Manilow and his music most of my life (almost 30 years now) and I have to say that Iowe my life to him and a couple of his songs that managed to touch me in places that needed to be at the time and make me realize that no matter what I can make it through anything. He is so talented in so many ways, singer, song writer, producer, composer and the list goes on. He is so talented and such an unique person. He has a way with his singing that touches a erson, really touches them, he puts so much of himself into it I look forward to the new music, and I look forward to when I can see himin concert again. Keep going on Barry, We all need you. I know I sure do.. You taught me how to Make It Through The Rain.

November 04 2009 at 3:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Adam

I really like Barry's music from the '70's, been listening to it since I was a kid. I just wish he would open the closet door & step out already.

November 04 2009 at 2:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Adam's comment
frosty7530

I doubt, based upon my observations, that will happen. I was curious about this guy, who is very controversial, and wanted to learn more about him. I went to his "social-network-fansite" (whatever it's called) to get a better feel for him. He owns this fan site, btw. Fans are NOT allowed to discuss his "private life" AT. ALL. In public statements, his mgmt team claims he is not gay.

Here is a composer/preformer who has written all these love songs & is so beloved to his female fan base. They truly do not want to accept the idea of his being gay. His audiance is broad, he does have some intellegent fans, but there is that naive, working-class mentality too conservative to embrace civil rights for gays, much less accept that Man of Their Dreams, may not be straight. His fan site is very fascinating and I hope this movie comes about! It is amazing what goes on there, I think the fans are just as interesting as he is!

April 19 2010 at 6:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
txgranny61

It just sickens me that people who don't have respect for anyone who has talent pick out stories about them and then write trash in their comments. Barry Manilow is one of the greatest songwriters, music-arranger, singer, and overall best entertainer in the world. His tenure and continued popularity proves it. If you've never seen him live-on-stage, you haven't experienced the sheer magnificence of his talent. He deserves every accolade he ever receives. He is the BEST! Barry, I hope you keep on keeping on.

November 03 2009 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jalapeno

"Mandy" was one of my favorite songs. I remember listening to a radio interview of Barry. I found it funny to hear him say that the writer of the song said it was actually about a dog named "mandy".

November 03 2009 at 11:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jalapeno's comment
tash

The original song was called "Brandy" - written by Scott English and it was much faster (almost like bubblegum rock) but since the group Looking Glass already had a song called "Brandy you're a fine girl" - the song title was changed to Mandy.

November 03 2009 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply