The Complete Collection... and Then Some: +DVD [Box set, Content/Copy-Protected CD]

If you just want to listen to Barry's biggest hits, buy The Essential Barry Manilow. But if you want to get a closer look at many of his songs--alternate versions, early drafts--and just get a great feel for the evolution of Barry's songcraft, this collection is superb. Sure you can hear Copacabana if you wish on this collection, but you can also hear part of his at-home audiotape when he was actually writing the darn thing! There are a handful of never-heard-before songs and some oldies I remember loving but hadn't heard in quite awhile ("All the Time" is an example--superb song, heartfelt performance).

Did you know that "I Made It Through the Rain" was originally written about a songwriter trying to persevere? The version in this set is that original version, different lyrics ("I made it through the rain, I kept my songs protected...")while the booklet explains why Barry and friends rewrote the lyrics to the one that became a hit. The version of "Can't Smile Without You" contains a soft-shoe middle that is very enchanting, and never before heard.
The set is filled with stylistic changes and different versions of hit songs so that even if you own one of his "Best Of" collections you'll still regard this compilation as fresh.

Barry is the performer I keep coming back to. When I haven't listened to his songs for a while and then come upon a collection like this, I wish I had never paused in my listening. He possesses a unique talent--an ability to write beautifully, play piano masterfully and evocatively, and sing so well. He doesn't have the voice of a Josh Groban (few do) but his voice is easily among those most enjoyable to hear; powerful and yet down to earth; an old friend. And he puts across his songs in such a heartfelt way, you know he has a depth to his spirit and an artistry that not every performer possesses.

Plus, you get a DVD and a large booklet with photos and pages of liner notes written by Barry and others, describing the songs presented herein.

All in all, a treasure. Get it!

This 4-CD + 1-DVD + Book set is awesome! 70 arrangements of Barry s-s-s-s-o-o-o-ngs on CD and 12 more on DVD! (Sorry, I got so excited, I stuttered! Geeze! That's 82 songs!!! You can drive from here to Kookamonga with this set! By the way, you need a car, too.) I put the 4 CDs in the car the other day and took the 1 ½ hour trek up to Lancaster to shop. Had the CDs playing ALL DAY LONG, without a repeat. Went up to Lititz, Kissel Hill, and all around the cat's barn, dodging bad drivers on cell phones, and back home to Baltimore again. Had a great time with these Barry songs. This is a fantastic collection of so many great songs, even if you already have many other Manilow CDs.

There are many Barry classics and many Barry songs only found on a limited number of CDs, and some I haven't even heard before. Some of the classics or semi-classics are just a wee bit different from other arrangements on other Barry CDs.

This is the only place I've found "Ave Maria." It's on Disc 3--absolutely beautiful--sung in both English and Latin. I also found a combo of "My Girl/No One in This World" on Disc 4, that is so very pretty. "How Do I Stop Loving You" is also another beauty on Disc 3.

On Disc 2, "I'm Your Man" always makes me wanna dance, and depending on where I am, I do just that! This version is extended, all the better to dance with, my dear. "Hey Mambo, Riders to the Stars, Beautiful Music," rev me up to do battle with the negative-ites of the world. "Memory" and "If I Can Dream" are beauties also found on Disc 2.

Disc 4 has "Let Freedom Ring," a patriotic song from 1991, also found on the "2 Nights Live" set. "If Tomorrow Never Comes" is a Garth Brooks Country Western song and is such a gorgeous song (If I don't wake up in the morning, would she know how much I love her?) I would have cried when I heard it, but I'm tuff (nah-try stay puft marshmello)!

I recently read a comment Barry wrote about "I Write the Songs," and Hey, I get it! I thought the song was beautiful before, but now, WOW! He basically said that the lyric's writer was referring to the Spirit of music as writing the songs (through a person), rather than a person writing them. Listen to this song in that perspective. It gives it very special meaning. You'll also hear reference to Spirit in "Daybreak".

Got some broadway musical songs here, too, on Disc 4 that are great and are also on "Showstoppers" CD.

Disc 1 also has some beauties, such as "As Sure as I'm Standing Here, I Don't Want to Walk Without You, and If I Should Love Again."

And there are just so many other great songs here, all the classics and more, HOURS of great entertainment. Check out the list. There's also the DVD and a substantial booklet of nostalgic pictures and comments, including the stud-muffin picture of Barry on the inside cover. I'm guessing he was in his early 30s.

THE DVD
The DVD begins with a faded black and white clip of "Chapel of Love," sung by a very young Bette Midler and accompanied on piano by a very young Barry Manilow with glasses. "Very Strange Medley" is also a very young Barry, with shoulder length blond hair singing some commercial jingles he wrote, like "Doctor Pepper" and "State Farm is there. . .," along with "You Deserve a Break Today, at McDonalds". There is also some funny kibitzing going on while he and the ladies are singing. Next is "Mandy," probably from 1973 or so, belted out on a shoulder length brown-haired Barry, playing a huge white piano. I believe this is the retro clip he uses a piece of in some of his concerts when he does a comparison Mandy song between now and then.

"I Write the Songs" is next, again with a young shoulder-length sandy-haired Barry. This song "just released" on his "new" album (coming out in about a week--at that time). He just stood up from the piano and he is wearing light gray pants on "Saturday Night Live". You can really see those long legs and the guy-heels from the 70s. Next is a clip of little Barry and grandpop that he plays when grandpop is trying to get him to record "Happy Birthday" on a record-your-own-voice studio in New York. The dialog is accompanied by pictures of an older man and young boy, simulating the duo (I don't think it's really B & grandpop.) Those who have been to Barry concerts know that Barry often plays the clip and tells everyone about grandpop.

"It's a Miracle" follows from a concert by a brown, poofy-shoulder-length-haired, young, bouncy, blue-leisure-suited Barry with silver shoes. Next is B with a light blue denim jacket that really shows off those baby blue eyes while he sings the beautiful "This One's for You" with such feeling. The close-ups on this are great for watching the facial expressions on him. You can really see his heart in his eyes, as he sings this song. Then the camera fades in to pix of "grandpop and the boy". Barry is indicating "this song is for you, grandpop".

B's Emmy Award presentation for Best Comedy/Variety Special is next, showing a very surprised B winning and making a few comments.

Ooooo.Wait till you see the absolutely ADORABLE clip on "Daybreak". Oh, this is just too awesome. We have a light blue jean, purple Brooklyn sweat-shirted Barry singing and bringing in children singing it, then switching to senior citizens, and culminating with cartoon characters, like singing butterflies, and then everybody. He's maybe 35? in this clip. He's funny in this clip, too and in several others. Oh, his beagle "Bagel" is in this one, too. He even gets smacked in the head with a prop.

Now we have a red Brooklyn College sweat-shirted blue-jeaned Barry, with tinted aviator eyeglasses, shoulder length blondish hair, nicely styled, and a gorgeous smile singing Copacabana. The ladies come out later with awesome costumes. While you're watching them, Barry sneaks back and puts on a fancy outfit, dances back onstage and does a little comedy routine. He and the dancers magically change outfits and do a wild Latin dance. If nothing was on the DVD but this one Copa number, it would be great, but you have ALL this stuff. I am truly impressed!

"Weekend in New England" is next. Same time period, with Barry in curly blond shoulder length hair and a baby blue sweater. He;s singing his heart out on this one, Ladies! Oh, the pure PASSION, and some serious close-ups, too! "The Old Songs Medley" is next from a curly brown-haired Barry, in concert in England. This might be the Bleheim Palace concert. The audience is HUGE! The pix are so clear and close, you can see the sweat rolling down B's face. Oooo, here comes "I Don't Wanna Walk Without You"! One of my all time favorites. God! I LOVE it! He even does a little tap dance. "Let's Hang On" is next! GO BARRY!!!--and finishing with "The Old Songs" again. This medley, including the tap dance, is on a CD "Barry on Broadway" or something like that, which is out of print right now.

"When October Goes," lyric written by Johnny Mercer, is sung by B at a recording session and he explains how Mercer's widow gave him the lyrics Johnny had written.
B finished the DVD with another favorite of mine. "Keep Each Other Warm" is a beautiful song to play at a wedding. Barry is a little older in this last performance. I'll guess and say he's about 40ish? And looks like he might have been working out. God! What a gorgeous song and he is so animated in this wonderful performance!

This 58 minute DVD is a nice little added treat--a walk down memory lane. Although it does not encompass the whole 35 years of Barry, it does portray a period sufficient to remind you of his vast longevity. The change in clothing styles is neat to watch, too. Lots of great close-ups. The sound and visual quality are great. The DVD seems to have been actually made in 1992, obviously from 70s clips and later. I would have bought this DVD as a single package and never been disappointed. Geeze. I am so sorry I had this set for awhile and just watched the DVD in January 2008. Fantastic!

For all you get in this package, it is truly a PHENOMINAL buy! If you are a Barry fan, you DO NOT want to pass this collection up. If you're not a Barry fan, well, you just don't know what you're missin', man! The Showman of our generation? Heck, yeah!

People ask me why I'm so happy all the time and some ask "what I'm on." I try to tell them my big secret is all that Barry music, but they just won't believe me. (Don't tell anybody, but it keeps me young, too. S-h-h-h-h.) Hey, let the Spirit COME ON IN! Buy this set. It is well worth the price. It's also a great gift for someone. A lotta music for what you can easily spend on dinner at Outback!

I absolutely LOVE this box set. It not only covers a wide and varied career of one of the 20th century's most talented musicians, it truly gives you the virtual soul of the man himself. He took such loving care in detailing and examining each song, as if it were one of his children. Each song, many unreleased, have composer commentaries. One is the greatest songs he's EVER done (and that's a long list) is here: "Let Freedom Ring" Bound to be a classic song in the vein of Yankee Doodle Dandy, this masterpiece will move you to realize why America really is the greatest place in the world to be. For the new fan or the die hard one this set is a MUST