Growing - I have been a fan of Ms. Manchester for about 30 years or so. I preferher older work, but I am glad she is continuing to write and sing. She sone of the best, and this recording is good.
Fun to hear Melissa - Voice still beautiful and strong. Wonderful to hear Melissa again! All Melissa fans should enjoy this album.
Surprisingly mesmerizing - For someone like me who comes from an era of hard and sometimes angry rock and roll, this cd was surprisingly mesmerizing. Melissa s sultry voice captured my heart and reminded me of warm, fuzzy feelings I d forgotten.KP Powell
Don t Walk On By This One - Once again Ms Manchester regroups and changes with the times, only to reflect one of her truest most passions...singing and songwriting from the heart. She has come full circle and back to her roots in the days of Home To Myself and Bright Eyes. Back to accoustics and less drama, more in the contempoary vein of Norah Jones and Diana Krall. Those who are familiar with her will either love this CD or hate it, depending on which time period attracted them to her. But a good ear and smart heart can t ignore the likes of I ll Know You By Your Heart. It s sultry, Sade-ish sparce sound with the words and wisdom of Joni Mitchell. Manchester s vocals are raw and exciting as it embraces the lyric and releases it s strength and vulnerability. The best cut on this CD is Angels Dancing, a story line about people in everyday life that touch you...if your hand is out. Her vocals sore to new heights and total confidence against a light rock backround. If AOR stations were intellegent, they would be playing this along side Shawn Colvin and many others like this genre. While the MOR stations would pick up Bend, perhaps one of the best ballads of the year. Lyrically and musically, this song is one that most will be able to relate. It may even remind you of Bonnie Raitt s I Can t Make You Love Me. I m sure that this will be discovered by a country artist that will turn this into a huge coiuntry hit. Go for it Faith Hill!!Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes or LeAnn Womack may try to grab it! There are many new colaborators here with Manchester including Rupert Homes Where The Truth Lies and Paul Williams Crazy Loving You. Other highlights include the top 10 single After All This Time with Keb Mo , When I Look Down That Road, the funky Lucky Break and the Japan bonus track It s The Light.She also included as a bonus her solo live version of the Columbine inspired A Mother s Prayer. She plays it live with her piano in a Carole King like essence of her Midnight Blue days. Also check her duet version with Colin Raye.
Terrific - After such a long time we get this jewel from Melissa Manchester. I m happy to see that the wait has been well worth it. Her voice is golden and like a fine wine, has improved over the years.