Here is Barry for You this Weekend

July 15, 2012

It has been a rather busy week for us both, Dr. Kamsiah and I. Our week ended with an afternoon at the Islamic Renaissance Front-Institute Kajian Dasar sponsored talk by Professor Tariq Ramadan, Author and Professor, Oxford University. It was a long and thought provoking session on Islamic Ethics and related issues.

Among other issues, Professor Ramadan discussed was the problem of intellectual laziness which now afflicts the Muslim Ummah around the world. There seems to be  a glaring lack of critical calm discourse and this is the main hindrance to the pursuit of an Islamic reform agenda.

Now it  is time for us to entertain you. The entertainer this weekend is composer, arranger and balladeer, Barry Manilow.

Manilow (born June 17, 1943)is an American singer-songwriter and producer. He is best known for such recordings as “Could It Be Magic“, “Mandy“, “Can’t Smile Without You“, and “Copacabana (At the Copa).”

In 1978, five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously, a feat equalled only by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Mathis. He has recorded a string of Billboard hit singles and multi-platinum albums that have resulted in his being named Radio & Records number one Adult Contemporary artist and winning three straight American Music Awards for Favorite Pop-Rock Male Artist.

Between 1974 – 1983 Manilow had three number 1 singles and 25 that reached the top 40. Several well-known entertainers have praised Manilow, including Sinatra, who was quoted in the 1970s saying, “He’s next.” In 1988, Bob Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, “Don’t stop what you’re doing, man. We’re all inspired by you.”

As well as producing and arranging albums for other artists, including Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick, Manilow has written songs for musicals, films, and commercials. From February 2005 to December 30, 2009, he was the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, performing hundreds of shows before ending his relationship with the hotel.

From March 2010, he has headlined at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. He has sold more than 80 million records worldwide.-Wikipedia. Please have a restful weekend. It is already Sunday here in Kuala Lumpur.–Dr. Kamsiah and Din Merican

Barry Manilow–Copacobana

Where does the Time Go

This One’s for You

Can’t Smile Without You

Looks Like We Made It

Bonus No: Kay Starr-Wheels of Fortune