Following up on a chart-topping album debut in February, an “American Idol” appearance and a PBS special, Barry Manilow has just released expanded editions of three ‘70s classics: Barry Manilow II (1974), Tryin’ To Get The Feeling (1975) and Even Now (1978).

All three albums include previously unreleased bonus tracks, rare photos and liner notes by David Wild of Rolling Stone.

Brooklyn-born Barry Manilow’s music-filled childhood took him to Juilliard and a fledgling career as a jingle writer, performer and music producer in the late 1960s. His association with Bette Midler, which began in 1971 as her pianist, music director and arranger on her first two albums in 1972-73, eventually led to Manilow’s own self-titled debut LP on Bell Records in ’73.

When Bell Records came under the aegis of Clive Davis in 1974, and was reborn as Arista, Manilow was the first artist welcomed to the new label by Davis. Ever the song maven, Davis suggested to Manilow a tune called “Brandy” by British popster Scott English. With a few tweaks (the Looking Glass already had a 1972 hit with an identically-titled though different “Brandy” on Epic), the new song became “Mandy” – and a career at the top of the pops for Barry Manilow was born.

He is currently ranked as the undisputed #1 Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time (with 12 #1’s under his belt), and has no less than 25 consecutive top 40 hits to his credit between 1975 and 1983, on the Billboard Hot 100. With worldwide record sales exceeding 65 million, his work as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer over the course of more than 40 albums has earned Barry Manilow the highest honors.

In June 2002, he was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside Ashford & Simpson, Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, and Sting. Coming June 13th, look for the 2 CD deluxe Legacy Edition of Barry’s first #1 album, LIVE (1977).

If you would like to win a copy of one of his newly-expanded CDs, just answer this easy question: Manilow started his career as a jinglesmith, composing themes for Dr. Pepper, Band-Aids, and State Farm Insurance, not to mention singing "You Deserve a Break Today" for which major food chain?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these new expanded CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before July 1st with your answer and the subject title 'BARRY MANILOW EXPANDED CDs to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

Windows Media:
“Copacabana (At The Copa)” Streaming Audio

Windows Media:
“Mandy” Streaming Audio

Windows Media:
“I Write The Songs” Streaming Audio

www.barrymanilow.com

"Barry Manilow II" CD Purchase Link

"Tryin’ To Get The Feeling" CD Purchase Link

"Even Now" CD Purchase Link