This is a wonderful new album from Barry Manilow. I love the song selections, especially The Twelfth of Never, Love Me Tender, and When You Were Sixteen--I really think there is true emotion coming through on them. Barry's voice is as good or better than ever. I love this album and know that I will be listening to it often. I have always been a Barry Manilow fan--I saw him first in Evansville, Indiana in the 60's! He was just starting and my brother said we should go see this new guy that was supposed to be pretty good! I've been a fan ever since and find this album to be as good as any he has done.

Love this album! Although this isn't an "original" album, Barry makes these songs sound fresh and new. Vocally...he's in top shape. I have all of his albums and, in all honesty, this is now one of my top five favorite Manilow recordings. It's as romantic as "If I Should Love Again." It occassionally has a piano-jazz feel like "2:00 A.M. Paradise Cafe." On a couple of tracks, it's reminiscent of "Manilow Sings Sinatra." One track even sounds as if it could've been on "Singing With The Big Bands." Above all, Barry does on this album what he's done best on all of his previous work: He arranges and sings these songs as if they were written by/for him. While I'm looking forward to his next project (the all original "Fifteen Minutes" album), Barry and Michael Lloyd have created a beautiful album that I think will stand out in his incredible catalog of work.

Barry Manilow is one of the most underrated singers of all time. For decades he has wowed people with his booming voice, epic arrangements, and timeless songs. Unfortunately, many critics don't understand his talent. I discovered him through the beautifully produced Dionne Warwick song, "I'll Never Love This Way Again." Since then, I've had the opportunity to see him live, in Philadelphia, and appreciate his entire catalog of music. What shocks most people is that I'm only 24. I guess good taste doesn't have an age requirement.

Barry's newest album has been released and it is beautiful. My favorite Manilow songs have always been his ballads. This album is full of wonderful love songs. Some I knew and some I didn't. Let's go through them one by one.

1.) "Love Is Here To Stay" - I first heard this Gershwin classic sung by Rod Stewart. Barry has a much smoother voice and the arrangement is beautiful. This is the perfect song to set the mood for you and someone special.

2.) "The Look Of Love" - This Burt Bacharach and Hal David song has been made famous by Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield. Barry's version has a nice modern feel to it. The beautiful violins, in the background, really bring this song to life. It is the epitome of what a sexy song should be.

3.) "Where Do I Begin (Theme From Love Story)" - I had never heard this song before. I soon discovered it was sung by everyone from Johnny Mathis to Shirley Bassey. The first thing you'll notice is the powerful arrangement. Barry really sings his heart out on this one. The only thing I would have preferred was a "big finish." Instead, he opted to end it like the original with a soft note.

4.) "I Only Have Eyes For You" - This mellow 1930s love song slows things down a bit. It is a nice relaxing number to be listened to while cuddling by a fireplace.

5.) "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" - What a great song for Barry. He really excels when it comes to swing inspired songs. This reminds me of his Frank Sinatra tribute album. Really good stuff.

6.) "The Twelfth Of Never" - Another beautiful Johnny Mathis song. The lyrics are very well written and wonderfully interpreted by Barry Manilow.

7.) "We've Only Just Begun" - This song is one of The Carpenters' signature songs. Trying to cover this song is no easy task. It's a nice mid-tempo version of a song many people can sing by heart.

8.) "Nevertheless" - This 1930s love song is very interesting. It is Barry singing lead, with a guitar in the background. Barry also recorded the backup vocals. This makes it sound like a group of guys singing on the corner. A very simple and beautiful love song.

9.) "Love Me Tender" - This Elvis classic came out in 1956 and is from the movie of the same name. Barry Manilow knows how to emote like few singers can. He does a great job of interpreting the lyrics written by "the King."

10.) "You Made Me Love You" - This Al Jolson song was later sung by Judy Garland to Clark Gable. It was published in 1913 and Barry does a fine job with it. It is a playful and cute song about someone facing the fact that he or she is now in love.

11.) "It Could Happen To You" - This song, made popular by Jo Stafford in the 1940s, is another swing style number that Barry sings very well. The horn section is really impressive. Another great addition to this album.

12.) "How Deep Is The Ocean?" - In the 1930s, Irving Berlin wrote this love song which would go on to be recorded by some of the greatest vocalists of all time. Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald both released versions of this song, and now Barry Manilow has released his. The poignant and reflective lyrics are complemented by the exquisite arrangement.

13.) "When You Were Sixteen" - According to Barry Manilow, this is the first popular love song ever released. It came out in 1898 and it was written by James Thornton. It starts off nice and easy, then the soft arrangement kicks in. Barry takes advantage of his upper register throughout this song. It is a beautiful and moving way to end a fabulous album.

If you are looking for an album to play while you are having a romantic dinner at home, you can't go wrong with this CD. Barry Manilow is one of the greatest vocalists I have ever heard, and he continues to impress me.

What a wonderful voice. It must be a gift from God. The nice selection of songs are almost magical. I never get tired of listening to this CD.

When Barry Manilow "The Greatest Love Songs of All Time" was released several months ago I was kind of intrigued. I had not purchased anything by Manilow since his "Ultimate Collection" disc several years back and I was curious as to how he would might handle some of the most popular love songs ever written. Unlike many of my contemporaries I actually liked most of Barry Manilow's hits back in the day. I hemmed and hawed and finally purchased this album a couple of weeks ago. And frankly after listening to it about a half dozen times I am just not all that impressed.

I thought that many of the tracks on "Barry Manilow: The Greatest Love Songs of All Time" were quite pedestrian. I could find precious little passion on tunes like "I Only Have Eyes For You", "We've Only Just Begun" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love". These songs will likely be heard for years to come as background "muzak" in offices, restaurants, waiting rooms etc. There is nothing notable about them. Meanwhile, I was not at all enamored with the arrangement chosen for "Love Me Tender". Frankly, I did not care for that one at all. But having said all that there are some brighter moments on this disc. I thought Manilow did a more than credible job on numbers like "The Look of Love", "The Twelfth of Never" and "You Made Me Love You". On these tracks I could at least detect a pulse! My favorite tune on this disc would have to be "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)". Both the arrangement and Barry's take on this old Mill Brothers standard was right on. Finally, one of the reasons I relented and purchased this album was the inclusion of the venerable 1898 tune "When You Were Sweet Sixteen". I am a big fan of so-called "turn of the century" music and I have always loved that song. I am happy to report that this one turned out just fine.

But at the end of the day "Barry Manilow" The Greatest Love Songs of All Time" simply failed to impress. I very much wanted to like this disc but after 6 or 7 spins I am afraid that I remain largely underwhelmed. This is not a horrible record but about half the tracks failed to move me at all. With the likes of Clive Davis producing this album I expected much more. I will think twice before purchasing another disc of this type in the future. Disappointing.