By admin The full video is at the end of the article.
Introduction
Barry Manilow’s Ultimate Masterpiece: Inside the Emotional, Genre-Bending Sneak Preview of ‘What A Time’
The wait is finally over. For the first time in 15 years, pop music icon Barry Manilow is releasing an album of entirely original material—and it promises to be the most deeply personal, genre-defying record of his legendary career.
In an exclusive global sneak preview, Manilow took fans behind the curtain of his highly anticipated album, ‘What A Time’, set to drop on June 5th. Pulling back the layers on his creative process, the legendary showman revealed the raw emotional hooks, star-studded collaborations, and shocking genre pivots that define this landmark project.
The Emotional Core: Tears, Tales, and a Whitney Houston Secret
Manilow didn’t hold back about the emotional weight of the album, admitting that the title track, “What a Time”—featuring brilliant lyrics by longtime collaborator John Bettis—frequently moves him to tears. It’s a sweeping, nostalgic look at survival, love, and the relentless passage of time.
But the preview’s biggest bombshell? The track “Touched by an Angel.”
“This is the first bonafide gospel song that Bruce [Susman] and I ever wrote,” Manilow revealed. “We wrote it for Whitney Houston, and it nearly made it on her last album.”
Instead, Manilow took the lead vocal himself, backed by a massive, soaring gospel choir, delivering a powerhouse performance that will give fans goosebumps.
Bending the Genres: From Rock Ballads to Calypso Beats
Think you know Barry Manilow’s sound? Think again. What A Time shatters expectations by blending radically different musical styles across its tracklist:
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“Another Life”: Described by Manilow as his very first “bonafide rock ballad,” a heavy, solitary track about heartbreak and moving on.
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“Nobody Knows My Song”: An empowering anthem of independence that Manilow and producer Michael Lloyd transformed into a high-energy dance record.
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“Don’t Trouble the Water”: A tropical, Calypso-beat track featuring an incredibly low, hypnotic vocal baseline by Randy Crenshaw.
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“When Somebody Says Goodbye”: A deeply moving track that marks the closest Manilow has ever come to recording a pure country song, featuring a tear-jerking duet with his lifelong friend and vocalist, Muffy Hendrix.
A Masterclass in Collaboration
To bring this sonic tapestry to life, Manilow recruited an elite roster of industry titans. The album features production work by multi-Grammy winner Dave Cobb, a soaring saxophone duet with the legendary Dave Koz on “Look at Me Now,” and a stunning rendition of the legacy ballad “Once Before I Go,” produced by the iconic Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.
From writing solo on a hot day in Malibu (“The Chosen One”) to crafting cinematic, narrative-driven pop songs with Bruce Susman (“One More Chance”), What A Time showcases a master craftsman operating at the absolute peak of his powers.
Secure Your Piece of Music History
With the June 5th release date rapidly approaching, the scramble for exclusive editions is already underway. Every format of What A Time comes loaded with unique content:
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The CD Edition: Features the exclusive bonus track “Reunited,” a gorgeous duet with Melanie Taylor.
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The Vinyl Edition: Includes the exclusive bonus track “Party to the Top” and a collector’s 24×36 poster.
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Amazon Exclusive: Houses yet another unreleased bonus track.
The countdown has officially begun.