Barry Manilow II
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Album Summary
Barry Manilow II came rolling out in 1974 on Bell Records — right in the middle of that label's transformation into Arista Records under the sharp ears of Clive Davis — and baby, this record was a statement. Produced by Barry Manilow and Ron Dante, the same two cats who had been quietly sculpting something special since the debut, this album found Manilow in the studio refining every instinct he had. The piano-driven arrangements, the lush orchestration, that unmistakable voice sitting right in the pocket of soft pop and adult contemporary — it was all coming into focus. Recorded as Manilow was earning his stripes as a live performer and gaining real momentum, Barry Manilow II captured an artist on the absolute cusp, one album away from the whole world knowing his name.
Reception
- The album carried a rocket on its back in the form of 'Mandy,' which climbed all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1975 — Manilow's first chart-topper — and sent listeners rushing back to this record in a big way.
- Riding the wave of 'Mandy,' the album broke into the top 10 on the Billboard 200, a powerful commercial showing that made it clear this was no ordinary sophomore effort.
- Critical response at the time was measured, with reviewers acknowledging Manilow's warm vocal delivery and polished craft, though some felt the production was firmly — perhaps too firmly — aimed at mainstream commercial tastes.
Significance
- The presence of 'Mandy' on this album made Barry Manilow II a cornerstone moment for adult contemporary music in the mid-1970s, helping to define the lush, romantically orchestrated ballad style that would set the tone for the entire format throughout the decade.
- Barry Manilow II was a crucial step in establishing Manilow as one of the defining voices of adult contemporary music during the period when that format was truly finding its identity as a commercial and cultural force.
- The album's success deepened the legacy of the Manilow–Ron Dante production partnership, proving that their studio chemistry was no accident and laying down a blueprint for how pop ballads would be crafted and sold through the rest of the 1970s.
Tracklist
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A1 I Want To Be Somebody's Baby 124
4:18
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A2 Early Morning Strangers 109
3:24
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A3 Mandy 104
3:32
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A4 The Two Of Us 127
3:05
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A5 Something's Comin' Up 161
2:51
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B1 It's A Miracle 129
3:58
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B2 Avenue C 116
2:37
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B3 My Baby Loves Me 107
3:18
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B4 Sandra 117
4:35
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B5 Home Again 79
5:34
Artist Details
Barry Manilow is a smooth-talking, soft-rock and adult contemporary genius who came up out of Brooklyn, New York, making his mark in the early 1970s as a pianist, arranger, and vocalist before becoming one of the biggest solo acts of the entire decade. This cat didn't just make music — he crafted these lush, sweeping anthems like "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," and "Copacabana" that had folks all across America singing along whether they meant to or not, racking up an almost unbelievable string of hit records and platinum albums that kept him on the charts year after year. Barry Manilow became the very heartbeat of middle-of-the-road pop in the 70s, selling out arenas worldwide and proving that melodic craftsmanship and genuine emotional delivery never go out of style, leaving behind a legacy that cemented him as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
