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The Music Scene

Posted: 2:56 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013

Friday Riffs: Confessions of a Barry Manilow fan 

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Barry
STILETTO Entertainment
Barry

By Melissa Ruggieri

C’mon, admit it. You like at least one Barry Manilow song. If you’re really being honest, you’ll cop to a few.

Right?

Since the musical maestro is in town tomorrow for a show at The Arena at Gwinnett Center – and coming back this fall to premiere his musical, “Harmony,” at the Alliance Theatre – this seemed like a good time to nudge you into sharing your favorite songs and declaring that you might be a Fanilow.

In a recent interview with Manilow– oh, let’s just call him Barry for the moment– he mentioned that during his stint on Broadway earlier this year, he’d often see burly firemen and policemen in the crowd, unabashed in their adoration of his music.

Having attended one of those shows myself, I can confirm that there were many men who did not seem all that irritated that their wives/girlfriends/partners dragged them there (except for the couple sitting next to us – that guy said he would have preferred to keep his planned trip to Atlantic City…not sure I could argue with that one).

I’m proud that I have a husband who is man enough to admit to a serious affection for Barry and he has willingly and happily attended several shows with me during our 15 years together.

When pressed to divulge his favorite song, he sticks with “Weekend in New England.” I’ll give him that one.

Of course the easy picks are “Mandy” (eh, never my favorite) and “Copacabana” (could be a favorite given a certain amount of vodka), and really, there aren’t many songs in Manilow's mind-boggling catalog that I don’t enjoy on some level.

But here are my faves. And now I fully expect you to shake off any shame and share yours.

 “I Made it Through the Rain” – It resonated more in my younger years, but still tops my list. Why? Because sometimes life seems so unkind.

 

“Could it Be Magic” (this version comes from “The Midnight Special” in 1975) - Did you really think I wouldn’t pick the song that is directed to “sweet Melissa”?

 

“Somewhere Down the Road” – Wah.

 

"Bandstand Boogie" - Manilow's lyrics perfectly captured the hokey charm of Dick Clark's show. 

 

The jingle medley (check out that blonde ‘do!) -- Even in his earliest days as a songwriter, Manilow knew how to write melodies that would stubbornly live in your brain for, well, ever.

About Melissa Ruggieri

Melissa Ruggieri covers music and entertainment and maintains the Atlanta Music Scene blog on accessAtlanta.

Connect with Melissa Ruggieri on:TwitterFacebook

Send Melissa Ruggieri an email.

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