A Tribute to Barry Manilow

While Barry Manilow has always been a lily liver, he's validated his milquetoast reputation through classic songwriting and a dedication to his craft. The man may cause a few snickers, but he deserves props for writing gorgeous material like "Even Now" and delivering standard-bearing performances of "Mandy," "Looks Like We Made It," and "I Write the Songs." Unfortunately, this campy tribute does not feature his dulcet tones. Instead, a stable of unknowns (whom the liner notes refer to as "performers from across the globe") perform wavering versions of 12 memorable Manilow classics. Like a dinner party on a severely listing cruise ship, the songs often shudder and shift, making for uneasy listening.