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2020-03-08 03:41:03 UTC
I received my NS II on 2-14-20. However, I didn't open it until last night.
And the fact that the CD sat on my kitchen counter for three weeks makes me the laziest obsessed Manilow fan on the planet. I'm sure Mr M doesn't care; I already earned my fan points for buying the thing.
So, better late than never, Night Songs II, the review.
Let's establish rating criteria:
"Could It Be Magic" is the best song Mr M has ever orchestrated, sung, performed. CIBM is the Manilow song against which all other Manilow works will be compared for all time.
So, naturally, that is the criteria we'll be using to review NS II.
Further, since NS II promises to be a compilation of romantic ballads, in this case we'll assume CIBM is an acronym not for "Could It Be Magic" but rather "Could I Bang Manilow?"
"Could I Bang Manilow": in which the romantic appeal of each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10,
"10" being most definitely CBM. "1" being not so much.
Let's get started.
Track 1: Everything Happens To Me
I feel like I'm sitting in a candlelit piano bar listening to Mr M, which I understand is what he was going for when he made this album.
I love the reference to telegraphs, so quaint. Mr M doesn't seem to use fancy technology to filter his voice; I can hear the "age" in his voice, and that's not a bad thing at all. This is a great old song. After listening to this one,
Could I Bang Manilow? Yes. A very romantic song. rating: 9/10
Track 2: I'm Old Fashioned
Another home run for our Mr M. His voice is effortless. Plays piano accompaniment beautifully. Reminiscent of old Fred Astaire movies.
Trademark Manilow key change at the end.
CIBM? Solid yes. rating: 10/10
Track 3: My Funny Valentine
Mr M's voice again sounds real, very organic and very effortless.
Mr M's orchestration is very evident. In all cases, his orchestration is brilliant. And here? Same. He's taking his time with the tempo and it's very appealing. I could listen to an entire album of Mr M playing the piano, no singing necessary.
CIBM? The song alone gets a 10 right out of the gate because classic romantic ballad. In Mr M's hands, the romance factor goes to the next level.
rating: 15/10
Track 4: I Had The Craziest Dream
This one seems like a typical 1940's movie song. The melody is jazzy.
CIBM? Sure. rating: 5/10
Track 5: She Was Too Good To Me
Seriously, I don't get the lyrics. "She was too good to me"- "She would have brought me the sun" Wait, so why did they break up? Is this a vintage take on 'Mandy' ?
Also the lyric: "I was a king to her/ Who's gonna make me gay now?"
Um.....let's move on.
CIBM? this one gets a confused rating of 1/10
Track 6: Meditation
Love the beat. A samba, I think. Reminds me of Diana Krall's style.
Mr M's voice is especially nice on this one. This one makes me want to dance. Nice touch with the piano glissando. This song reminds me of "The Girl from Ipanema" and I think I hear a snippet of that melody towards the end.
CIBM? Yes, and also dance a samba. rating: 9/10
Track 7: Lush Life
Lyric: "I used to visit all the very gay places" OH COME ON! Seriously?
BUT! Despite this opening line, these lyrics are a serious downer. "Life is awful again" "While I rot with the rest of those whose lives are lonely too".
Yikes! This is not romantic at all. This is some Kurt Weill-esque shit!
CIBM? yes, but only because I feel so bad for this sad guy. rating: 1/10
Track 8: Isn't it a Pity?
This one's an interesting counterpoint between hopeful lyrics and sad melody. As with "She Was Too Good For Me" I don't get this one either. So are you glad you met her, or are you being sarcastic? Imma need Cliff Notes for this one.
Also, this lyric: "Fishing for Salmon/Losing at Backgammon"
CIBM? Nope. Too confusing. rating: 1/10
Track 9: Moonlight Becomes You
This one's familiar to me, not sure why. Another sweet piano bar staple. Lovely orchestration. Straightforward lyrics, which is all I ask for in a romantic song.
CIBM? yes, and bonus points for no fishing references. rating: 7/10
Track 10: Little Girl Blue
I love the orchestration on this one. Very beautiful melody. Mr M shows us yet again his musical brilliance.
The lyrics:
"No use old girl/you might as well surrender/your hopes are getting slender/why won't somebody send a tender blue boy/ to cheer up little girl blue".
This one's probably personal; why do I suspect Mr M sings this one to himself whenever he has a fight with the handsome hubs?
CIBM? sure, old girl : ) rating: 8/10
Track 11: Polka Dots and Moonbeams
The lyrics: "Suddenly I saw/ polka dots/and moonbeams/all around a pug nose dream"...….So he's in love..... with a French Bulldog?
Actually it's a cute little song about meeting and falling in love with a girl....who may or may not resemble a French Bulldog.
CIBM? this one's low on the romance factor. rating: 3/10
Track 12: We'll Be Together Again
A song about parting. A WWII era song, maybe? Mr M is in especially good voice on this one. Very tender and emotional. Mr M's voice conveys an intimacy that is irresistible when he sings romantic songs and this one is no exception.
CIBM? Yup. That voice. rating: 10/10
Track 13: Like Someone In Love
The bonus track for those of us who ponied up the cash to preorder this album.
A fun upbeat song.
The Lyrics:
"Each time I look at you/I'm limp as a glove" Wait, is that a good thing?
Just asking.
CIBM? Romantic song. That one lyric has me concerned so I'm afraid I must deduct points. rating: 4 /10
In summary:
This album will become part of my regular rotation of Manilow. There are a few misses (Too Good To Me, Lush Life, Isn't it A Pity) but the other tracks MORE than make up for this. Mr M succeeded in creating an intimate listening experience. Mr M shines when singing the old fashioned songs, IMO. And the orchestrations are beautiful.
Best,
Annie
And the fact that the CD sat on my kitchen counter for three weeks makes me the laziest obsessed Manilow fan on the planet. I'm sure Mr M doesn't care; I already earned my fan points for buying the thing.
So, better late than never, Night Songs II, the review.
Let's establish rating criteria:
"Could It Be Magic" is the best song Mr M has ever orchestrated, sung, performed. CIBM is the Manilow song against which all other Manilow works will be compared for all time.
So, naturally, that is the criteria we'll be using to review NS II.
Further, since NS II promises to be a compilation of romantic ballads, in this case we'll assume CIBM is an acronym not for "Could It Be Magic" but rather "Could I Bang Manilow?"
"Could I Bang Manilow": in which the romantic appeal of each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10,
"10" being most definitely CBM. "1" being not so much.
Let's get started.
Track 1: Everything Happens To Me
I feel like I'm sitting in a candlelit piano bar listening to Mr M, which I understand is what he was going for when he made this album.
I love the reference to telegraphs, so quaint. Mr M doesn't seem to use fancy technology to filter his voice; I can hear the "age" in his voice, and that's not a bad thing at all. This is a great old song. After listening to this one,
Could I Bang Manilow? Yes. A very romantic song. rating: 9/10
Track 2: I'm Old Fashioned
Another home run for our Mr M. His voice is effortless. Plays piano accompaniment beautifully. Reminiscent of old Fred Astaire movies.
Trademark Manilow key change at the end.
CIBM? Solid yes. rating: 10/10
Track 3: My Funny Valentine
Mr M's voice again sounds real, very organic and very effortless.
Mr M's orchestration is very evident. In all cases, his orchestration is brilliant. And here? Same. He's taking his time with the tempo and it's very appealing. I could listen to an entire album of Mr M playing the piano, no singing necessary.
CIBM? The song alone gets a 10 right out of the gate because classic romantic ballad. In Mr M's hands, the romance factor goes to the next level.
rating: 15/10
Track 4: I Had The Craziest Dream
This one seems like a typical 1940's movie song. The melody is jazzy.
CIBM? Sure. rating: 5/10
Track 5: She Was Too Good To Me
Seriously, I don't get the lyrics. "She was too good to me"- "She would have brought me the sun" Wait, so why did they break up? Is this a vintage take on 'Mandy' ?
Also the lyric: "I was a king to her/ Who's gonna make me gay now?"
Um.....let's move on.
CIBM? this one gets a confused rating of 1/10
Track 6: Meditation
Love the beat. A samba, I think. Reminds me of Diana Krall's style.
Mr M's voice is especially nice on this one. This one makes me want to dance. Nice touch with the piano glissando. This song reminds me of "The Girl from Ipanema" and I think I hear a snippet of that melody towards the end.
CIBM? Yes, and also dance a samba. rating: 9/10
Track 7: Lush Life
Lyric: "I used to visit all the very gay places" OH COME ON! Seriously?
BUT! Despite this opening line, these lyrics are a serious downer. "Life is awful again" "While I rot with the rest of those whose lives are lonely too".
Yikes! This is not romantic at all. This is some Kurt Weill-esque shit!
CIBM? yes, but only because I feel so bad for this sad guy. rating: 1/10
Track 8: Isn't it a Pity?
This one's an interesting counterpoint between hopeful lyrics and sad melody. As with "She Was Too Good For Me" I don't get this one either. So are you glad you met her, or are you being sarcastic? Imma need Cliff Notes for this one.
Also, this lyric: "Fishing for Salmon/Losing at Backgammon"
CIBM? Nope. Too confusing. rating: 1/10
Track 9: Moonlight Becomes You
This one's familiar to me, not sure why. Another sweet piano bar staple. Lovely orchestration. Straightforward lyrics, which is all I ask for in a romantic song.
CIBM? yes, and bonus points for no fishing references. rating: 7/10
Track 10: Little Girl Blue
I love the orchestration on this one. Very beautiful melody. Mr M shows us yet again his musical brilliance.
The lyrics:
"No use old girl/you might as well surrender/your hopes are getting slender/why won't somebody send a tender blue boy/ to cheer up little girl blue".
This one's probably personal; why do I suspect Mr M sings this one to himself whenever he has a fight with the handsome hubs?
CIBM? sure, old girl : ) rating: 8/10
Track 11: Polka Dots and Moonbeams
The lyrics: "Suddenly I saw/ polka dots/and moonbeams/all around a pug nose dream"...….So he's in love..... with a French Bulldog?
Actually it's a cute little song about meeting and falling in love with a girl....who may or may not resemble a French Bulldog.
CIBM? this one's low on the romance factor. rating: 3/10
Track 12: We'll Be Together Again
A song about parting. A WWII era song, maybe? Mr M is in especially good voice on this one. Very tender and emotional. Mr M's voice conveys an intimacy that is irresistible when he sings romantic songs and this one is no exception.
CIBM? Yup. That voice. rating: 10/10
Track 13: Like Someone In Love
The bonus track for those of us who ponied up the cash to preorder this album.
A fun upbeat song.
The Lyrics:
"Each time I look at you/I'm limp as a glove" Wait, is that a good thing?
Just asking.
CIBM? Romantic song. That one lyric has me concerned so I'm afraid I must deduct points. rating: 4 /10
In summary:
This album will become part of my regular rotation of Manilow. There are a few misses (Too Good To Me, Lush Life, Isn't it A Pity) but the other tracks MORE than make up for this. Mr M succeeded in creating an intimate listening experience. Mr M shines when singing the old fashioned songs, IMO. And the orchestrations are beautiful.
Best,
Annie