Barry's new projects according to Desert Sun article

[marvin]

Thank you Sharon (DC) for posting the excellent story by Bruce Fessier of The Desert Sun about potential new projects for Barry, such as another Christmas album and possibly a new autobiography.
Given that Fessier interviewed many of Barry's fans and learned that there was strong interest by fans in more of Barry's anecdotes about his life and the music business and how Barry managed to balance the crafted image of Barry Manilow the singer/songwriter with his private life to make great reading. I hope Barry will do this book one day.
I also hope that if Barry records another Christmas album that he continues to include his favorite Christmas songs on the CD, but to please also include one or more Hanukkah songs from his Jewish heritage, or even write a new Hanukkah song which I am sure he can do and has been done by other Jewish. Marvin

[Brenda M]

Marvin,

Do you think Barry is capable of writing new material?

I’d like to think that he is ... but advancing old age takes its toll on many ways, sadly.

So ... I’m not sure.

But what do YOU think?

Bren

[q***@gmail.com]

We'll see just how capable he is! :-)

If the newer stuff bombs or isn't so good, we've always got the rest of his enormous catalogue.

So cool that he still loves being a musician. Performing, writing, arranging... he still loves doing it. And I love being his audience.

[Brenda M]

And “Team Manilow” ... right?

:-)

Brenda

[marvin]

Marvin,

Do you think Barry is capable of writing new material?

I’d like to think that he is ... but advancing old age takes its toll on many ways, sadly.

So ... I’m not sure.

But what do YOU think?

Bren

Hi Bren,
I am not sure if by writing new material, if you are referring to Barry writing a new book or Barry writing new songs, so I will address both issues.
It takes a lot of hard work and skill for Barry to do his 90 minute concerts, so if he can do concerts with so much passion, he still has the creative drive and ability to write songs.
Also, remember Barry writes melodies and musical charts and arranges the music as his primary love and skill set. I think for Barry to pick melodies is instinctive to him, part of his DNA and his talent.
In terms of lyrics, Barry has relied so much on Bruce Sussman, Marty Panzer, Adrienne & Enoch Anderson through so many years as collaborators that Barry and his partners I think can create many songs in a few months, even a few weeks or days time.
In terms of my request for Barry to write a new Hanukkah song, Bruce, Marty, and Adrienne are all Jewish too, so I can't phantom how they can't create one and probably several inspiring Hanukkah songs for Barry's next Christmas album.
By the way, some contemporary Jewish artists who wrote inspiring Hanukkah songs include Carole King ("Hanukkah Is A Miracle"), Melissa Manchester ("Let There Be More Light"), Peter, Paul and Mary ("Light One Candle"), and sax players Kenny G and Dave Koz (I forgot the names of their Hanukkah songs), so I know Barry can create one too.
Regarding writing a new book, I know Barry has often said that his life is boring and that he wrote all he wanted in "Sweet Life". But I don't think the problem is of Barry having a "boring" life or not having the ability to write another autobiography.
I think Barry, although now openly gay, is still basically a private person and I think he would cringe at the public knowing more about what had to be many battles in the 1970s and beyond regarding his concealing his private life and what music industry people like Clive Davis expected from Barry regarding his crafted image as a romantic ballad singer who appealed to women. So, I don't think a new autobiography is in the works, but I hope I am wrong.
Thanks for asking Bren and Merry Christmas to you. Regards, Marvin

[HallieR]

Maybe I’m looking though rose-colored glasses, but I believe music flows through Barry’s veins and believe him when he says he’ll be creating music to the very last day.

Will it be commercially successful? Does that even make a difference? Mayflower wasn’t a big seller and arguably his best work, or at least right up there. 15 Minutes was genius. Even more recently, This is My Town has its charm. Was listening last night for the first time in a while. Both the new and cover songs had a really good sound, really fit together as a nice little concept album.

So I’m very excited to hear there’s up to three albums in the works. No doubt in my mind Barry is still capable of making new songs and making old songs sound fresh.

Hallie