DIANE SCHUUR - Midnight (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this set, Diane Schuur performs 13 songs written or co-written by Barry Manilow, most of which are new. On first glance, the project may not seem to have much potential, particularly if one thinks of Manilow's pop records. However, other than a charming vocal duet on the closing "Anytime," Manilow is not on this date and the emphasis is on Schuur's beautiful voice. Fortunately, she takes most of the songs pretty straight, sounding at her best throughout. Manilow proves to be an underrated songwriter, contributing some touching ballads and a few swingers while collaborating with some talented and often witty lyricists. A few of the songs are good enough to become standards (though the odds are against it) and there are some short horn solos along the way. Karrin Allyson duets with Schuur on the humorous "Stay Away from Bill," and singer Brian McKnight helps out on "I'll Be There." All in all, Midnight is a surprising success easily recommended to fans of Diane Schuur's voice. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Meet Me, Midnight 2'58
Barry Manilow / Bruce Sussman
2     When October Goes 4'49
Barry Manilow / Johnny Mercer
3     Stay Away from Bill 3'49
Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow / Bruce Sussman
4     I'll Be There 4'19
Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow / Marty Panzer
5     Consider the Point from Both Ends 4'12
Adrienne Anderson / Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow
6     What Is Love? 3'31
Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow
7     He Loved Me 4'06
Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow / Marty Panzer
8     Southwind 2'39
Barry Manilow / Johnny Mercer
9     Our Love Will Always Be There 3'32
Adrienne Anderson / Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow
10     No Heartache Tonight 3'32
Eddie Arkin / Barry Manilow
11     Good-Bye My Love 3'58
Adrienne Anderson / Barry Manilow
12     Life Is Good 4'02
Barry Manilow / Marty Panzer
13     Anytime 3'01
Barry Manilow
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Dan Higgins (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 8)
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax Solo] – Dan Higgins (pistas: 10, 11)
Arranged By – Barry Manilow (pistas: 8, 10), Eddie Arkin (pistas: 4, 10, 13)
Arranged By [Horns] – Bill Elliot (2) (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 11)
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor, Arranged By [Rhythm Section] – Jorge Calandrelli (pistas: 2, 7)
Arranged By [Rhythm Section] – Barry Manilow (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 11), Eddie Arkin (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (pistas: 4, 10, 13), Chuck Berghofer (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 11)
Drums – Harvey Mason (pistas: 4, 10, 13), Peter Erskine (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 11)
Flugelhorn [Solo] – Warren Luening (pistas: 2, 5)
Guitar – Anthony Wilson (pistas: 1 to 3, 8, 11), Oscar Castro-Neves (pistas: 6, 9)
Guitar [Solo] – Eddie Arkin (pistas: 4, 9, 13)
Harp – Gayle Levant
Musician, Contractor [Orchestra Contractor] – Joe Soldo
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (pistas: 6, 9)
Percussion, Vibraphone – Alan Estes (pistas: 4, 10)
Piano – Alan Broadbent (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 9, 11), Randy Kerber (pistas: 4, 10, 13)
Producer – Barry Manilow, Eddie Arkin
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Liston (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 8, 11)
Trombone – Andy Martin (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 11)
Trumpet – Warren Luening (pistas: 1, 3, 6, 8, 11)
Trumpet [Solo] – Warren Luening (pistas: 4, 10)
Violin [Concert Master] – Bruce Dukov