Maps of Music

Barry Manilow Live (1977)

Where the lyrics of Barry Manilow Live take you, and where it was really made.

This live album is known for the first commercial release of a medley of jingles Manilow wrote or performed before he became a chart star.

Key places

Where most of the album was recorded (1977)

Recording site Gershwin Theatre — Most tracks were recorded at the Uris Theatre in New York City, where Manilow had a 12-day stay from December 21, 1976 to January 2, 1977. The map point uses the Gershwin Theatre location from the music database, so it marks the venue area rather than an exact spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Very Strange Medley recorded at Ravinia (1977)

Recording site The Pavilion at Ravinia — The Very Strange Medley was recorded at Ravinia Festival in Chicago instead of the Uris Theatre. The point marks the Pavilion at Ravinia area only, not the exact recording spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Barry Manilow Live: fifth album by singer-songwriter Barry Manilow
• Released 1977 on Arista Records; first Manilow album to top the US Billboard 200
• Original LP: four sides in two acts, complete program 1h 22m
• Track list opens with Riders to the Stars and includes the Very Strange Medley and Jump Shout Boogie Medley
• Known for the first commercial release of the Very Strange Medley (VSM)

Background

• Manilow was among the 1977 Special Tony Award winners honored that year
• He received the award for Barry Manilow on Broadway, a 12-day stay at the Uris Theatre from December 21, 1976 to January 2, 1977
• This live album was recorded during that Uris Theatre run

Recording

• Tracks other than V.S.M. were recorded at the Uris Theatre in New York City
• V.S.M. was recorded at Ravinia Festival in Chicago
• Mixed at Media Sound Studios, New York City
• Michael Delugg was recording engineer; John Venable was live recording engineer
• Backing band The City Rhythm Band; Lady Flash supplied backing vocals
• Catalog number AL-8500

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · es.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York City.
• Began as a commercial jingle writer and singer in the 1960s, writing and singing TV jingles for brands such as Band-Aid and State Farm.
• Signed by Columbia/CBS Music vice-president Tony Orlando, and recorded as Featherbed on Bell Records.
• Bette Midler chose him as her pianist and producer in the early 1970s.
• Breakthrough hit "Mandy" (1974), the start of a long string of hit singles and albums.
• Hits include "Could It Be Magic", "I Write the Songs", "Copacabana (At the Copa)", and "Can't Smile Without You".
• Has released 51 Top 40 singles on the Adult Contemporary chart, including 13 number ones.
• Has sold more than 85 million records as a solo artist worldwide.
• Nominated for a Grammy Award 15 times from 1973 to 2015, winning once.
• Performed a long Las Vegas residency at the Las Vegas Hilton and the Paris Hotel.

Members

• Solo artist; Featherbed was a studio group name used in the early 1970s.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

Reappraisal

• AllMusic's Steve Huey praised the performances as tight, professional, and carefree
• Huey wrote that Manilow kept his energy up through the entire double-LP set
• Huey said the album could be considered Manilow's strongest effort

At release

• Released in 1977 on Arista Records
• Recorded during a 12-day run at the Uris Theatre in New York City

Records

• First Manilow album to top the US Billboard 200
• Manilow was among the 1977 Special Tony Award winners
• The Tony was honored for Barry Manilow on Broadway, the Uris Theatre run

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The Very Strange Medley was the first commercial release of Manilow's jingle medley, introduced as a medley against the values of his artsy friends
• The medley includes commercial jingles Manilow wrote or performed for Kentucky Fried Chicken, State Farm, Stridex, Band-Aid, Bowlene, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi and McDonald's before he became a chart star
• The first CD edition omitted dialogue and all movements to Beautiful Music to fit on one disc; the 2006 re-release restored everything
• On the jacket, track B1 is listed as Very Strange Medley, but on the record it is listed as Very Special Medley
• Manilow was among the 1977 Special Tony Award winners

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · es.wikipedia.org

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