2:00 AM PARADISE CAFE

Personnel: Barry Manilow (vocals, piano); Mundell Lowe (guitar); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Billy Mays (piano, Fender Rhodes); George Duviver (bass); Shelly Manne (drums). Principally recorded live at Westlake Studio "C", Los Angeles, California. Includes liner notes by Barry Manilow. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Taking a brief sidetrack from his career as champion of the dramatic pop ballad, Barry Manilow transforms himself into an impressive jazz vocalist on 2:00 AM PARADISE CAFE. As the title suggests, Manilow assumes the role of the smoky lounge balladeer in the wee small hours of the morning, gracefully crooning blue-tinged tales of heartbreak for the few remaining customers. Not only is the singer's buttery tenor well suited for the sultry ballads on this disc, but his choice of sidemen and duet partners is nothing short of genius. A sextet including bari-sax master Gerry Mulligan, legendary drummer Shelly Manne and stylish guitarist Mundell Lowe tastefully supports Manilow with grace and expressive virtuosity. The first of two duets pairs him with the divine Sarah Vaughan for "Blue," a beautiful melody that displays each vocalist's strengths admirably. The second is with the superb Mel Torme, who steals the show on the swinging "Big City Blues." Other excellent selections on this unique collection include the melancholy "Where Have You Gone," the dramatic "When October Goes" and the graceful "I've Never Been So Low On Love." This is a side of Manilow that the world should hear more often.