Melissa Manchester

Melissa Manchester's third album represents a striking departure from Home to Myself and
Bright Eyes, both of which showcased her voice in a cabaretlike setting. Melissa joins
Manchester with producer Vini Poncia, an associate and protégé of Richard Perry. Poncia,
who has figured prominently in several recent Perry productions, brings to Melissa the
Perry trademarks that helped make Ringo and Carly Simon's No Secrets such co... More >

Manchester is very sexy in a barely disciplined, almost blowzy way--maybe a touch overexpressive, a little too liberal with her emotions. "I Got Eyes" is nice juicy f*ck music and "Stevie's Wonder" the ultimate fan letter from someone who's found a new model of overexpressiveness. Both transcend the rest of the album, which in turn transcends the popped seams and middling Midlerizations of her first two LPs. (Grade: B+)