In the Swing of Christmas [Bonus Tracks]

Performer: Barry Manilow
Engineer: Koji Egawa; Don Murray; Greg Bartheld; Bill Schnee; Bob Kearney
Producer: Greg O'Connor; Michael Lloyd; Scott Erickson; Barry Manilow
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Lyricist: Bruce Sussman. Personnel: Barry Manilow (vocals, keyboards, background vocals); Tim Pierce, George Doering (guitar); Tom Scott (flute, saxophone); Sal Lozano, Jay Mason, Eric Marienthal (woodwinds); Dan Fornero, Warren Leuning, Jeff Bunnell, Warren Luening (trumpet); Brian "Bubbles" O'Connor (French horn); Charlie Morillas, Andy Martin (trombone); Matt Herskowitz, Mike Lang, Randy Kerber (piano); Jim Cox, Ron Pedley (keyboards); David Rozenblatt (drums, percussion); John "Hot Fat Reynolds" Ferraro, Gregg Field, Joe La Barbera, David Rozenblatt (drums); Jeff Gunn, Patty Lloyd, Jennie Snyder, Greg O'Connor, Debbie Lytton, Jeffrey Foskett, Michael Lloyd , Randy Crenshaw (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Don Murray ; Michael Lloyd ; Scott Erickson; Bill Schnee. Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Pepper Tree Studio, Palm Springs, CA; Schnee Studio, North Hollywood, CA; SongLee Studio, La Canada, CA; Studio At The Palms, Las Vegas, NV. Author: Barry Manilow. Photographer: Jeff Katz. Arrangers: Roger Treece; Greg O'Connor; Michael Lloyd ; Ray Ellis; Barry Manilow. Since Manilow released his previous delightful holiday album A Christmas Gift of Love in 2002, the legendary singer and entertainer became a Las Vegas staple and experienced a pop chart renaissance with his collections of greatest songs of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. True to its title, his engaging third Christmas CD is more swinging and jazzy than his other two, which had an interesting musical variety but were definitely more pop. Since his '70s heyday, the singer has done everything from brilliant jazz, big-band, and show tune projects to a fanciful Sinatra tribute, and here he creates unforgettable arrangements of many familiar songs that draw from all of these genres. Texturing his own voice, he creates a Take 6-flavored twist on "Silver Bells," then on "Jingle Bells," mixes a hard-driving jazz trio and '40s big-band-flavored approach with a touch of the whimsy of Barbra Streisand's famous version. His MaD Fusion trio featuring the wild piano improvisations of Matt Herskowitz adds inspired energy to a medley of two songs we've heard a million times but rarely as entertainingly, "Joy to the World"/"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Beyond enjoying Manilow's mix of unique jazzy vocal approaches with tender straightforward deliveries (as on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,"), what makes this perhaps his best Christmas disc are a few unexpected song choices: the beautiful "Violets for Your Furs" (best known as a song on Frank Sinatra's legendary 1954 album Songs for Young Lovers); the easy swinging, brass-inflected "Toyland," from Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland, and "Count Your Blessings," the "other song" Irving Berlin wrote for the film White Christmas. Fans of Manilow and Christmas music would pick up this disc even if it was average and prosaic, but the obvious love the artist put into these fresh choices and arrangements makes it one of his most unique and inspired efforts ever. ~ Jonathan Widran Since Manilow released his previous delightful holiday album A Christmas Gift of Love in 2002, the legendary singer and entertainer became a Las Vegas staple and experienced a pop chart renaissance with his collections of greatest songs of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. True to its title, his engaging third Christmas CD is more swinging and jazzy than his other two, which had an interesting musical variety but were definitely more pop. Since his '70s heyday, the singer has done everything from brilliant jazz, big-band, and show tune projects to a fanciful Sinatra tribute, and here he creates unforgettable arrangements of many familiar songs that draw from all of these genres. Texturing his own voice, he creates a Take 6-flavored twist on "Silver Bells," then on "Jingle Bells," mixes a hard-driving jazz trio and '40s big-band-flavored approach with a touch of the whimsy of Barbra Streisand's famous version. His MaD Fusion trio featuring the wild piano improvisations of Matt Herskowitz adds inspired energy to a medley of two songs we've heard a million times but rarely as entertainingly, "Joy to the World"/"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Beyond enjoying Manilow's mix of unique jazzy vocal approaches with tender straightforward deliveries (as on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,"), what makes this perhaps his best Christmas disc are a few unexpected song choices: the beautiful "Violets for Your Furs" (best known as a song on Frank Sinatra's legendary 1954 album Songs for Young Lovers); the easy swinging, brass-inflected "Toyland," from Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland, and "Count Your Blessings," the "other song" Irving Berlin wrote for the film White Christmas. Fans of Manilow and Christmas music would pick up this disc even if it was average and prosaic, but the obvious love the artist put into these fresh choices and arrangements makes it one of his most unique and inspired efforts ever. [This release features the bonus tracks "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Christmas Is Just Around the Corner."] ~ Jonathan Widran

To many the very embodiment of the soft rock and middle-of-the-road genres, Barry Manilow became an international superstar in the 1970s with a string of hits combining heart-on-sleeve sentiment and finely crafted songs with slick, highly orchestrated production. His ultra-showbiz image (which was likely influenced by his early days as musical director for Bette Midler), appealed to an extremely wide audience. Although Manilow has long been regarded as the antithesis of hip, there is no denying his considerable talent, and his fans are among the most loyal (some might say fanatical) in pop music.

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