Last Great MM recording - I agree with the reviewer that thought this was the last great Melissa Manchester work. The title track signaled the beginning of her corporate takeover and it is the only non-five star title on the album. I m glad to see that she picked-up again with When I Look Down That Road and continued to produce high quality music.
SINGIN FROM HER SOUL!!!! - This work is beautifully produced from the vocal arrangements, to the orchestral arrangements. Shine Like You Should opens with gorgeous tones. Caravan is a celebration. The title song Don t Cry Out Loud which was penned by Peter Allen, is a powerful vocal experience. Knowin My Love s Alive is full of complexity and finesse. Most of these songs were penned by Melissa herself. Therefore, each is full of intensity, sensitivity, and soul. If you only have the LP you didn t get the bonus cut We Had This Time which is a sweet treat. Thanks for the wonderful journey of song, Melissa!
A Melissa Manchester classic! - In addition to this CD, I also purchased Melissa. The sound quality on Melissa is somewhat poor, but I didn t find any problems with this CD. The sound quality on this CD is outstanding. I ve been a big fan Melissa Manchester s early records. Don t Cry Out Loud was one of my favorite. She s got a voice and style that is so unique that whenever I hear her sing, I can t mistake her for anyone else. There is passion in her voice.
A late 70 s classic from an often overlooked artist - I have heard about Melissa Manchester numerous times, I mean after all she did sing backup for one of my favorite singers Ms. Midler but I never paid much attention to her. After listening to clips of this album, at first, I was unimpressed...until I heard Don t Cry Out Loud . The songs screams adult contemporary and mushy ballad but the song actually tells a story and Manchester accentuates it with her throaty belt of a voice. I have come to love that song and this album. When I received my copy, the first song (Shine Like You Should) just made me feel sooo effervescent and happy. The 2nd (Caravan) may take u a while to appreciate but I have to come like it. I can t describe the 3rd track in words (Don t Cry Out Loud) um.....heartrending? Other surprising gems is the heartbreaking Through the eyes of Grace, the fast and the funky Bad Weather and lighthearted Such A Morning. Some tracks faltered like To Make You Smile Again but she quickly rebounds with her surprisingly soulful voice. I am open to any type of music but at first I was weary to try this cd out but I am glad I did. I have now become an admirer of this woman and plans to get her 1975 Melissa album. Don t sleep, peace.
dated sound - are you kidding? - a very unusual pairing at the tiime, manchester had this album produced by soul genius leon ware (responsible for writing or co-writing such strokes of genius as marvin gaye s i want you, the jackson 5 s wanna be where you are, minnie riperton s adventures in paradise and many more). it features manchester at her best, though she didn t have many artistic dropouts in her career. shine like you should, To make you smile again, Caravan and stevie wonder s bad weather, originally written by him for the supremes, must be called real gems, though the album as a whole also works, even 24 years later. i really cannot understand what might be dated about the sound? (see one of the reviews below). the sound is lush, soulful, jazzy, funky, bubbling with energy. a great buy i can only recommend to others!