Maps of Music

Swing Street (1987)

Where the lyrics of Swing Street take you, and where it was really made.

The title points to a single Manhattan block: 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, once the jazz mecca of the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Key places

Recording at Image Recording Studios (1987)

Recording site Record Plant (Los Angeles) — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and this Los Angeles studio is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at The Record Plant (1987)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and The Record Plant in Los Angeles is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Sigma Sound Studios (1987)

Recording site Sigma Sound Studios — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and Sigma Sound Studios is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Clinton Recording Studios (1987)

Recording site Clinton Recording — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and Clinton Recording Studios in New York City is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at The Hit Factory (1987)

Recording site The Hit Factory — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and The Hit Factory in New York City is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Criteria Studios (1987)

Recording site Criteria Studios — The album's tracks were recorded at various locations, and Criteria Studios in Miami is one of the recording places listed for it. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Swing Street: twelfth studio album by Barry Manilow
• Released 1987 on Arista Records
• Two sides: the first titled 8:00pm (five tracks), the second titled Midnight (five tracks)
• Three tracks are duets with another singer
• Three cover songs and seven new songs; six of the new songs credit Manilow as co-writer
• Album title refers to 52nd Street in Manhattan

Background

• Manilow's return to Arista Records from RCA Records
• At RCA he had two releases from 1985 to 1986: Manilow and the soundtrack for the musical film Copacabana
• 52nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, was the jazz mecca in the late 1930s and early 1940s

Recording

• The tracks were recorded at various locations
• Producers: Barry Manilow and Eddie Arkin; executive producer Eric Borenstein
• Mastering at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs, New York City
• Guests include Phyllis Hyman, Tom Scott, Diane Schuur, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts

Cover

• Photography by Greg Gorman
• Art direction by Mark Larson and design by Dave Brubaker

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

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

At release

• Released 1987 on Arista Records, marking Manilow's return from RCA Records
• Discogs lists the copyright as 1987 Arista Records, Inc.
• Catalogue number ARCD 8527 appears on the spine
• Lead single Brooklyn Blues was sent to adult contemporary radio on October 26, 1987
• Brooklyn Blues is one of the duets, with Tom Scott
• Black and Blue features Phyllis Hyman and Tom Scott
• Summertime features Diane Schuur and Stan Getz
• One More Time features Gerry Mulligan on baritone saxophone
• Stardust is performed with Uncle Festive
• Hey Mambo features Kid Creole and the Coconuts
• Big Fun is performed with Full Swing
• Previous RCA releases from 1985 to 1986 were Manilow and the Copacabana soundtrack

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The title refers to 52nd Street in Manhattan, the jazz mecca of the late 1930s and early 1940s
• Side one is titled 8:00pm and side two is titled Midnight
• Summertime features Diane Schuur and Stan Getz, and One More Time features Gerry Mulligan
• Stardust is performed with Uncle Festive
• Hey Mambo features Kid Creole and the Coconuts
• Discogs notes Cat No. ARCD 8527 on the spine

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

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