Barry Manilow EVEN NOW/E.E.

Personnel: Barry Manilow (vocals, piano, ARP synthesizer); Jeff Mirinoff, Lee Ritenour, Jay Graydon, Mitch Holder (guitar); Paul Schaffer (electric piano); Bill Mays (keyboards); Bob Babbit, Will Lee (bass); Jimmy Young, Ronnie Zito
(drums); Jimmy Maelen, Alan Estes (percussion); Ginger Blake, Linda Dillard, Laura Creamer, Ron Dante (background vocals).
Recorded at A&M Studios, Hollywood, California & Media Sound Studios, New York, New York.
Digitally remastered by Wally Traugott (Tower Mastering/Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California).
Personnel: Barry Manilow (piano, background vocals); Jeff Mirinoff, Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour , Mitch Holder (guitar); Paul Shaffer (electric piano); Bill Mays (keyboards); Ronnie Zito, Jimmy Young (drums); Jimmy Maelen (percussion); Ginger Blake, Linda Dillard, Laura Creamer, Ron Dante (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Thom Cadley.
Liner Note Authors: Barry Manilow; David Wild.
Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA (07/1977-11/1977); Media Sound Studios, New York, NY (07/1977-11/1977).
Photographer: Lee Gurst.
Though it's best known for the uptempo, discofied "Copacabana," EVEN NOW is actually one of Manilow's most introspective '70s recordings. It's full of songs about failed and failing romances, occasionally lightened by a sunny tune like "Can't Smile Without You." On the title cut, Manilow looks back on a lost love to find that he still bears emotional scars. "Starting Again" details the growth of infidelity and mistrust in a relationship, to an unnerving minor-key melody. The obscure gem on EVEN NOW is "I Was A Fool (To Let You Go)," a subtle, jazzy saloon song worthy of Sinatra himself, in which Manilow castigates himself for letting a good thing go. It's arguably one of Manilow's finest moments, and well worth the price of entry in and of itself.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock and Pop