"Showstoppers" surprised me when it appeared in stores in late 1991. Any advance publicity missed me completely. This, plus the unusual absence of Barry's image on the cover, had me wondering if this would be a weak record. I bought it immediately anyway, ....

Not to worry, this is a great disc. 17 songs from Broadway musicals both great and small, plus a medley of overtures. The thought of Barry doing a Broadway album seems to have put off some people who usually buy Barry's CDs. I would point out that the arrangements aren't glitzy or "corny" (except maybe for "Once In Love With Amy"). Or, they're no more over the top than many other beloved Manilow hits. Barry says in the liner notes: "I restructured many of the songs so that they would sound original and contemporary, but would still maintain their Broadway integrity." Dare you doubt him?

I've listened to this many times over the years, and my favorite keeps changing. Early on I preferred "The Kid Inside." Sung so well that I can almost forget that these are nothing like my, or Barry's, high-school memories. I didn't like the other Craig Carnelia song here, "You Can Have The T.V.", until the part about the dog sank in. It's just...so...sad... Then I'd find myself forwarding to "Luck Be A Lady" (a preview of "Manilow Sings Sinatra") or "All I Need Is The Girl." Then "Never Met a Man I Didn't Like," from "The Will Rogers Follies." I felt the lyric was too happy-go-lucky until I realized .... And "But The World Goes Round." Those last two are dramatic and build to big finishes. On the other hand, "Look To The Rainbow" (duet with Barbara Cook) and "Bring Him Home" (from "Les Miserables") are somber and quite beautiful.

With so many tempos, styles, and moods, "Showstoppers" is among Barry's most satisfying albums. The only reason I can see that this hasn't gone Gold (sold half a million copies) yet is that not enough people know about it. I hope this review will encourage someone else to give it a try. ....

If, when you think of Barry Manilow you think of "Mandy", think again. This CD is crammed with some of the most wonderful and familiar Broadway tunes that you can possibly imagine, all done with that fabulous Manilow flair. The arrangements are incredible and his performance is not to be believed. "The Kid Inside" from the show "Is There Life After High School" is guaranteed to knock you out. I actually got a speeding ticket because I was singing along and driving as fast as my heart was racing from the sheer joy of the music. The duet of "Look to the Rainbow" with Barbara Cook is just simply beautiful. The Overture is enough to get you hooked, but when Barry Manilow follows it up with "All I Need is the Girl" from "Gypsy", it's all over. Even songs you've heard performed by others and weren't too crazy about take on another life altogether, (again, that Manilow touch) and suddenly you wonder, "how could I not have liked that song"? Enough said. Whether you're a Manilow maniac or a show tune nut, you just simply have to buy this CD!

is that Mr Manilow had a really great time making "Showstoppers"! He couldn't possibly laugh the way he does in "Once in Love With Amy" if he wasn't having the best time ever. I'm having a great time too, learning all the words and singing along. I do have favorites and those include "All I I Need is the Girl, and "Real Live Girl", but I've found new favorites in "Look to the Rainbow, and But the World Goes 'Round", and I thank Barry for giving me these new songs to love. As an added bonus, I work with singers and if I start a song someone around here will sing along with me. This is so joyful it's like champagne bubbles in your blood!
My only wish would be that Barry would make "Showstoppers II" and put in something from "The Music Man", but I suppose he still has a few hundred favorites of his own that could go in it...sigh. No matter how much we get, we still want MORE! (But isn't that that the way you're supposed to leave 'em????)

Prior to buying this cd, I really wasn't much into showtunes. I love Barry Manilow and think he is a great singer and has great taste in songs. HIs version of where or when is the best by far that I have ever heard! The arrangement is beautiful. It doesn't get better than that. Another standout song is "look to the rainbow", a beautiful duet, probably Barry Manilow's best duet by far. "I'll be seeing you", "old friends", "the kid inside", "Never met a man I didn't like", and "bring him home" are all great songs, which are the kinds of songs we've come to and love by Barry Manilow. Thanks Barry for making old songs fresh and new.

I must have given a shrug when I picked out this CD. I like Manilow, and I like the musicals, but put them together? Well, Manilow's easy on the ear style makes this CD a must have for the lover of Broadway Tunes. Each song is carefully set to be sung along to. Manilow's eloquence makes it easy, and the familiarity of the music and his voice make this CD a must have for the music lover. Barry, I should have never doubted you for a moment, this CD is magic!