Soulful Rendition - I was a college student at the time this album came out, around 1975 I believe. I along with 5 other guys shared a big house and the thing I remember most is how this album was received. Everyone in the house loved it and it was interesting how on some evenings you could hear it blaring out of the windows as you pulled up to the house along the street. We were just six African American guys who were studying hard, partying hard and listening to good music. This album more than any other (and there was great music during that period (Parliment, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder)-really great music) set the pace and is a reminder of those times. I think from the beginning to the end this album catches your imagination and the smooth, sultry and energetic voice of Ms. Manchester, along with her words, forces you listen to the music and appreciate the message she is delivering. This is a really great album with no song that is not worth listening to. It should be in everyone s record selection.
LOVE HAVIN her AROUND - Melissa Manchester s cd, is one of her good ones. She co-wrote 8 out of 10 songs, was a pianist on all 10 songs. And is one of the best vocalist via Arista records. The melodies are great, the songs are great and WE VE GOT TIME for some PARTY MUSIC. So let s get going and buy this cd. There s JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE, MIDNIGHT BLUE, STEVIES WONDER, IT S GONNA BE ALRIGHT, are just a few of the songs. And yes, I want to smother my bad-ass lover with long wet kisses to make him wise, in I GOT EYES. Written by Melissa herself. I cannot say that I DON T WANT TO HEAR IT ANYMORE, and that THIS LADY S NOT HOME TODAY because she truely was home today. The cd is good. We love havin her around. An A++++ on a job well done.
GRAND SOULFUL DAME OF THE 70 S - This work from the mid-70 s is full of powerful vocals most of them writtem by Melissa herself. The productions and the arrangements are perfect. These songs are infused with soul and inspiration. Every one is a true treasure from the funky, spirited Stevie s Wonder to the classic Midnight Blue. Some vocals are full of torch and others really do cook. Thank you Melissa! Your talent shines like a beacon.
Top 100 Must Have CD - This is my favorite Melissa Manchester album and I still listen to it often because the music is timeless.Ms. Manchester recorded this album in 1975 and it was her third album to date. She wrote most of the songs in collaboration with such biggies as Carole Bayer Sager and David Wolfer. The songs are classic cuts that defy time and span decades. Upbeat cuts include: Just Too Many People, Stevie s Wonder, Love Havin You Around, and It s Gonna Be Alright. But the best songs are the torch songs that feature Melissa s fantastic voice against a soft or jazzy background, such as: We ve Got Time, This Lady s Not Home Today, Midnight Blue, I Got Eyes and I Don t Want To Hear It Anymore. This CD will take you from fireplace, to car seat, to beach, to romance but mostly it will serenade you for years to come.
MELISSA MANCHESTER MASTERPIECE!! BRAVO!!!!!! - Attending a concert of underground Superstar Ann Dee who should have been as big a name as those whose talent she was put on par with such as Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, and also Barbra Streisand whose Free Again was eclipsed by Ann s superior soulful version, we were talking during a break about how amazing Ms. Dee s extraordinary voice was and at that time Melissa Manchester s name came up as someone who one day would be a great like Ann Dee and she happened to be in town!! I wasted no time (probably the next night) and went and fell in love at first sight with the most extraordinarily beautiful singer-songwriter of our generation! Melissa Manchester in concert is an experience and one that I have fortunately enjoyed numerous times. When Midnight Blue came out you knew that this is the stuff that legends are made out of!! This masterpiece quickly followed and if your love a package that is full of variety and a total tour-de-force of a GREAT talent, then do not miss this collection!! The opener is the soulfully sung stunner We ve Got Time and listening to this great ballad your know from the top this is a going to be pure pleasure! Next is the jamming Party Music and it is a great up song with interesting tempo changes. Just Too Many People is one of my favorite Melissa classics with a great passionate vocal that soars with great beauty. Stevies Wonder is a neat tribute to her hero and This Lady s Not Home is a soul-deep performance that again finds Melissa at her peak!! Wild and funky is Stevie Wonder s Love Havin You Around and this masterful workout must have blown Stevie away!! Melissa s own Midnight Blue is a beautiful passionate vocal on another Manchester classic that is stunning. This great album is timeless and holds up with the test of time. Every song is a winner here and Randy Newman s I Don t Want To Hear It Anymore is equally brilliant to the great version that Dusty Springfield does on her classic Dusty In Memphis! This great collection is an overlooked classic and Melissa has not had her just due in the music industry!! If a male performer does 1/2 of what is here it gets a Grammy!! This is not just and for those who love the GREATS, do not miss this!!! A rare talent...If you can find the Japanese Import of this that is 1st choice as the sound is better than this collection-otherwise grab this while it is still in print or find a mint vinyl version.