"Barry Manilow" and "swing" aren't terms typically found in the same sentence, but the master of mainstream pop balladry surrounds himself with bona fide jazz players here and -- surprise, surprise -- it really does swing. Manilow is nothing if not a gifted arranger, and his treatment of these holiday chestnuts is often inventive and occasionally inspired. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Say what you want about Barry Manilow -- he's no slouch when it comes to choosing musicians for the studio. Two jazz trios, one led by pianist Matt Herskowitz, put the swing into Christmas, and Manilow clearly is enjoying himself joining them in these up-tempo versions of holiday favorites. - Karen Carlin * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Seattle Times And, boy, does he swing! Manilow really lets loose on this year's exclusive Hallmark Gold Crown Christmas album, available only at Hallmark stores. The opening cut of Silver Bells is arranged to death, with a 26-track vocal, all sung by Manilow. Carol of the Bells/Jingle Bells is over the top, too, but at least it's original. He settles down to deliver fine, straightforward versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Tannenbaum/Winter Wonderland and a cool and beautiful Christmas Time is Here. A couple of not-really-Christmas tunes, Count Your Blessings and Violets for Your Furs, fit perfectly. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Philadelphia Daily News * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Entertainment Report More than a few "Fanilows" got peeved when we dissed his last CD. Now they can rejoice. Hallmark is giving fans something to swing and sing about with the exclusive Hallmark Gold Crown Christmas CD In the Swing of Christmas. Manilow personally selected all 10 songs for this special album that he co-produced and arranged. The CD features traditional American songs flavored with some Manilow surprises, including his exclusive rendition of "Silver Bells," featuring 26 background vocals – all recorded by Manilow! There are also cuts with two jazz trios, and when we bumped into Barry he reminded us (ever-so-nicely) that "my concept was small, sexy, romantic. I wanted an album that you can play all through the Christmas season." We always knew that somewhere down the road, he would come through. Again. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Detroit News Of this year's harvest, some are worthy (see Josh Groban, Raul Malo), some aren't (hiya, Rick Springfield and you cursed Kidz Bop Kids), and some we couldn't even get through (sorry, Larry the Cable Guy -- we'll try again next year). With that, here is our annual holiday CD roundup. Pa rum pa pum pum. Holiday harmonies: Add some new tunes to your yuletide mix * * * * * * * * * * * * * * - Barry Manilow says that, unlike other artists who find it boring to record holiday albums, on his new collection In the Swing of Christmas he had a blast rearranging his favorite Christmas classics for the Hallmark chain of stores. "Hallmark wanted their own Christmas album. You know, it's my favorite thing to do, I'm an arranger and I love taking songs from the past and finding another facet, or a different angle. One of my favorite things to do, (is) to take a song that everybody knows, like 'Jingle Bells' and turn it on its head! And still keep the integrity of the song, but just make it very interesting and fresh. So when they offered it to me, I just jumped at it. I just loved doing that kind of thing." Read reviews from MaD Fusion Read reviews from my THREE POINT TURN ballet
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