When Arista released ULTIMATE MANILOW in 2002, that single-disc collection left off a handful of Manilow's 25 Top 40 hits from the Eighties. Three years later THE ESSENTIAL MANILOW attempts to rectify that problem with a two-disc collection containing 34 songs. In addition to duplicating all 20 tracks from the earlier hits collection, the new anthology makes room for "When I Wanted You" (No. 20, 1980), "I Don't Want To Walk Without you" (No. 36, 1980), "Memory" (No. 39, 1983), "Some Kind of Friend" (No. 26, 1983) and "Read 'Em and Weep" (No. 18, 1984), as well as album favorites "Jump Shout Boogie" and a live version of "New York City Rhythm." However, it should be noted that two missing hits from 1982 ("Let's Hang On" and "Oh Julie") keep this from being complete. But this is a minor complaint. For serious Manilow fans, this is a near perfect collection from the reigning king of easy listening music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Essential Barry Manilow is a strong two CD set that features (most of) the best of Barry Manilow. It can't truly be complete because Barry Manilow has done so many wonderful songs in his time that no two CD set could ever be complete; but this still holds its weight pretty well. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is about par for this CD series.

The first CD starts with a huge hit for Barry entitled "Mandy;" this torch song moves me whenever I hear Barry sing it. Barry puts a lot of feeling into this ballad and it works very well. "It's A Miracle" is a relentlessly happy, upbeat tune that celebrates the joys of love; Barry sings this perfectly with a backup chorus as the percussion marks the beat--great! Listen also for "Bandstand Boogie;" "Bandstand Boogie" is a loving tribute to the days of the big band style arrangements and the bandstand hits.

"Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" is a most tender love song that Barry makes so special with a fine treatment that impresses me greatly; and "Weekend In New England" is easily a major highlight of this first CD. Barry sings this with panache and his voice never sounded better! "Can't Smile Without You" may have its critics in the therapist community; but when I hear this I can only hear and see a loving song that again celebrates the joys of love and the admission that we all need someone to love. "Can't Smile Without You" is one of my very favorite Barry Manilow hits ever.

"Copacabana" really swings and sounds great although this actually was never one of my personal favorites; and then the second CD continues the hits. "Somewhere In The Night" gives us Barry singing a touching love song that always moves me when I hear it--it's flawless. "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" is yet another classic Barry Manilow tune that shines as Barry sings it as only he could! The melody is really very pretty and it works so well to make "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" a very special number. Similarly, "I Made It Through The Rain" is truly a masterpiece that Barry delivers as only he could; this song touches me and it proves very well just how well Barry can sing.

In addition, "Brooklyn Blues," a number that's somewhat more modern in its style, gets a fine interpretation by Barry and this sounds so smooth when Barry Manilow sings it. The second CD also ends nicely with Barry's "up-tempo mix" of "I'd Really Like To See You Tonight."

Barry Manilow remains a king in the music entertainment industry; and even though this CD set is not truly all his greatest I still recommend this. I think it would take at least another CD or maybe even two to capture all of Barry's best hits; but what we do get is five star material throughout--and that's wonderful.

"The Essential Barry Manilow" is by far the best collection of Manilow hits available today. Aside from adding 14 extra songs that didn't make it on to 2002's "Ultimate Manilow", it also has what could possibly be two firsts for a Manilow compilation on CD: 1. FINALLY, this album contains the hit single version of "It's A Miracle", which I personally have never seen on CD. All the other hits packages of Barry have included the album version of the song. It's great to finally have the single version on CD after all these years. 2. By the same token, the hit single version of "Daybreak" is also included in this collection. This is the live version of the song that was released as a single in 1977 and became a Top 30 hit. Again, it's always seemed to be the studio album version of the song that turned up on Manilow hits CD's over the years. For these two reasons alone it might be worth it for collectors to purchase this album.

As another reviewer pointed out, "Could It Be Magic" is edited in this compilation, down to about 4:18. I'm not sure exactly why this is, since there was plenty of time left on the disc to accomodate the full 6 minute-plus album version. I don't think this is even the single version of the song, since a book I have says the single version ran about 3:37. Also, it should be noted that "Jump Shout Boogie" is a live version as well as "New York City Rhythm". On the back of the CD, it states that "Rhythm" is live, but it doesn't do the same for "Jump Shout Boogie", for whatever reason.

The only complaint I have with this album is that it doesn't include Barry's two Top 40 hits from 1982, "Let's Hang On" and "Oh Julie". The former has showed up before on a Manilow hits compilation, but I've never seen "Oh Julie" on any of them. You'll have to get the Japanese import of Barry's 1982 album "Here Comes The Night" if you want to get "Oh Julie" on CD. (That's the only place I could find it).

The booklet contains some black and white pictures of Barry, along with some small pics of some of his album covers. The track listings denote the songwriters, producers and the original label number of the singles and albums released, as well as each song's performance on Billboard's Pop and Adult Contemporary charts. There are no liner notes, though. Not a very big deal in general, but keep it in mind if you're thinking about buying this and are looking to read a little about Barry.

Overall, a great compilation and well worth the price. Highly recommended if you're looking for a Manilow hits collection.

I'm not a big fan of edits, I've always believed that songs are the length they are for a reason, radio needs to get over itself. Saying that, this collection is the most comprehensive of Barry's radio hits save for the two tracks already mentioned in the other reviews prior. The two albums missing to make this a comprehensive studio representation are "Singing With The Big Bands" and "Manilow Sings Sinatra." The song "Let Me Be Your Wings" performed with Debra Byrd would have made a nice inclusion but again, it wasn't a hit. What is here is a track from Barry's obscure gem "Manilow" and it's the ultra rare 12" inch version of "I'm Your Man." I loved this song when it was new, it's nice to hear it again in all it's digital splendor. One more overlooked song is from 1989's "Barry Manilow," "Keep Each Other Warm," a hit in it's own right and there is enough space left over to accomodate at least that track. Oh well, these small omissions do nothing to deter this collection from being the best currently available. Now that Sony has merged with BMG reissues of Barry's previously unavailable albums may be released on disc, maybe.

I grew up listening to Barry Manilow, and his songs always bring back fond memories. If you are a Barry fan, this product is truly essential. If you are just getting to know Barry, this is the only disc set you'll need to become a fan forever.