I have to admit, I don’t subscribe to Manilow TV! There I said it and the truth feels good, but there are some good reasons. For one thing, I can’t justify adding another expense to my already tight budget. As much as I’d enjoy seeing videos from Barry’s vault remembering shows and events from days gone by. I’d rather put the spare funds toward a ticket, because if I need to choose, there’s nothing that compares to seeing a Manilow show live.
Also, if I had Manilow TV accessible on my laptop all day, everyday, I just might not get anything else done - Radio Manilow is enough to cause major distraction! It’s that enjoyable to listen to.
However, after reading what Janet Fauret has to say about this months video, one going back to 2003, when Barry deservedly received the prestigious Ella Award, at The Society of Singers Gala in his honor, I just might have to change my mind. At least this month!
This month’s Manilow TV episode:The Society of Singers honors Barry Manilow contributed by Janet Fauret
As my friends know, I’m an English teacher. Born and brought up in Britain, of British parents, I have made my life in France over the last 30 years.
Since I first started as a teacher, passing the exams required to teach in this country,. I have worked hard, taken advice, followed courses, done my utmost to succeed at this very demanding career.
Teachers in France are “inspected” at regular intervals. Meaning after an “inspector” sits in on a lesson, he or she has a discussion with the teacher, then follows up with a written report, which is then filed as part of the teacher’s record.
Each of the 4 or 5 times I have been inspected, I have been fortunate; the lesson has gone well and the inspector has praised my work. The feeling of satisfaction I experience each time this happens never diminishes. When you are committed to your career; trying your hardest to do the best you can, there is no greater accolade than recognition from your peers.
Why am I rambling on about this? Because I have just watched (and re-watched!) the presentation of the Society of Singers’ Ella Fitzgerald award to Barry Manilow in 2003. Of course I am not in any way trying to draw a parallel between the brilliant, amazing career of the incredibly talented icon that is Barry Manilow, whose music has touched ,and continues to touch, millions of hearts, and my own humble achievements in the teaching world but simply to say that I can very easily imagine the emotion and the pride he must have felt to receive such recognition from his peers. And when I say peers, former winners include huge stars of the music world like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé , Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett.
After a presentation of the society’s origins and its aims (more on that later) came a tribute to Mr. Manilow’s music in the form of a concert of his songs, performed by a series of great artists such as Wayne Brady, Michael Feinstein and Dianne Schuur.
At first, I found it strange to hear Barry’s well-known and much-loved classics performed by other artists but I soon found myself drawn in, not only by the virtuoso performances, but also by the realization that the songs Barry Manilow has written are musically so rich that other interpretations and arrangements are not only possible but a joy to listen to.
What a delight to hear Bryan McKnight’s bluesy, almost gospel rendering of the power ballad Even Now or Debra Byrd bringing the audience to its feet with a beautiful, jazzy “I Am Your Child” That said, I’m afraid I do have to say, and millions will agree with me, that no-one performs Barry’s songs like Barry !! Because he doesn’t just perform: he generates an emotion and a passion that reach me and touch me in a way no other artist ever has.
The story of how his music had recently reached into the heart of a little autistic boy, tore at my heartstrings. This little boy had never really spoken, had lived shut up in the world of silence he had created for himself. But somehow, the Manilow songs which his mother played so often penetrated the darkness, got through to him, made him feel something. One day, out of the blue, he spoke his first complete sentence: “I remember all my life” His mother replied” Raining down as cold as ice “ and a connection was made. From then on , there was a ”calm corner” in the house with a CD player loaded with Barry’s music. Whenever the child was becoming agitated, his mother would send him off there and he would switch on the player. Listening to Barry calmed him down. What a tribute to the music of Manilow! A beautiful story beautifully related by Monica Mancini.
Before performing, each artist expressed the huge admiration they have for Barry Manilow, not only as a musician but as a human being. The critics have not always been kind to Barry, so it was doubly sweet to listen to a succession of highly celebrated performers, all icons in their own right, expressing so sincerely their love and respect. How moving to hear Suzanne Somers describe him as “very special”, both as an artist and a musician, “a spiritual person”, “an incredible friend”, ” someone you can always count on”.
Indeed, what was striking throughout the ceremony was that this was a celebration not only of Barry Manilow, the musician, but of Barry Manilow, the man, the valued friend and the generous humanitarian. We learnt during the opening segment that the Society was set up to provide assistance to singers who found themselves in financial difficulty, because no other structure existed to help them. It had even just acquired an apartment building which would enable it to offer accommodation if necessary. Then a video was shown of the charities and good causes to which Barry contributes: the list is too long to repeat here but what was very clear was their wide-ranging nature. Children, adults and animals too are the beneficiaries of his generosity. And what better place than a society set up to help musicians could there be for a man whose latest initiative, the Manilow Music Project, aims to get musical instruments into schools where budget cuts have made them so sorely needed. Young people across the country are so grateful to him.
Before presenting him with the award, Clive Davis, the man who first set him on the road to stardom, praised him for the “songs that you’ve written and the songs that you’ve sung”, and described his career as “illustrious”.
There are those who, hearing themselves frequently praised, set on a pedestal, become arrogant. They become overtaken by conceit and vanity. Not so Barry Manilow. His genuine humility, his surprise at his success, are patently obvious. Up on stage, he received the award, looking, it has to be said, a little flustered, almost unbelieving of the honor he was being paid.
As he began his thank you speech, he was almost stuttering, so hard was it for him to get the words out. The first song he sang, Beautiful Music, he started off half singing, half talking the lyrics, which mirror his own personal journey. ‘ I had a day job’ he says, ‘but music was coming out of my ears’
‘Before I knew that I was blessed,
When I was just like the rest of the people
Who never let dreams in their mind
Music would play and say maybe you’re wasting your time.’
He is a true inspiration to young people today, living proof that if you want something badly enough, and are prepared to go for it, you can get there!
Eight years have passed since that April night in 2003. The ill-informed might suppose that Mr. Manilow, while still involving himself in charitable projects, has now stopped performing, stopped creating music, or at least slowed down considerably. Since 1974, 13 of his albums have achieved gold status, 8 have gone Platinum, 4 Triple Platinum and 1 quadruple Platinum! He has won 2 Grammies and been nominated for several others. He has been awarded an Emmy. Honors and awards have been showered upon him. What else has he got to prove?
Well, like me with my teaching, Mr. Manilow seems to believe that resting on your laurels is not an option! There is always something new to try; you never reach the point where you just sit down and stop! He is now finishing his seventh year as a Las Vegas headliner with a show which draws huge audiences and rave reviews. Since 2003, he has released 5 very successful cover albums, the most recent of which (The Greatest Love Songs of All Time) received a Grammy nomination this year.
And just this last month, he set the bar even higher and brought out an album of original material which represents a completely new direction for him. He decided to abandon his piano and to try his hand at more edgy, guitar- driven melodies. The album, Fifteen Minutes, a concept album about the perils of fame, has been very warmly received by the public and critics alike. Barry proves yet again how versatile his genius is!
Barry, I’ve attended many of your shows. You never stop expressing your gratitude to the audiences, for “still being there”! WE are all so grateful to YOU for still being there, for still creating that Beautiful Music which makes the whole world sing, and above all, which makes the whole world feel!