Melissa Manchester's 1975 album "Melissa"

**Robbie** · March 22nd, 2002, 07:11 PM

Although Melissa Manchester wasn't a disco artist per se, she has a wonderful voice and her 1975 album "Melissa" is now on CD. Buddha Records, which put out the "Big 12 Inches" series a few years back, rerelased Melissa's 1975 album. This album contains her big hit "Midnight Blue" and another great track, "Just Too Many People".

Since I enjoy singer/songwriter types, Melissa is no exception; she either wrote or co-wrote almost all the tracks on this album. Even the non-singles are terrific, whether they be slow or bouncy. "We've Got Time" is a fine ballad and Melissa shines with her vocals. "Party Music" is another great song, with catchy lyrics and great overall sound. "Stevie's Wonder" is a strange tune, a bit avant-garde lyric-wise, but it has a cool space-like synthesizer-driven ending. "It's Gonna Be Alright" is another great tune. A bouncy track that makes you feel good.

"Melissa"--a very good album for 1975.

**keefelc** · March 22nd, 2002, 09:02 PM

Robbie, I thought that was one of her best albums. Melissa did venture into dance music in later years. Arista released a remix of "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" (from a later album), which I seem to recall was pretty popular in the clubs and bars here in San Francisco.

**Robbie** · March 22nd, 2002, 10:27 PM

Keefelc--"You Should Hear How She Talks About You" is another great song!! I think Melissa won a Grammy for that song. That had to be around 1983 (the song came out in 1982).

I think it's great you like the "Melissa" album too. All of the songs I mentioned were my favorites off it.

In 1984, Melissa had a song called "Thieves Of Hearts" (I think that's the name of it) that was produced by Jellybean Benitez and was on Casablanca Records. I saw it at Ebay not too long ago.

**keefelc** · March 25th, 2002, 07:49 PM

Robbie:

I liked the follow up to the "Melissa" album alot also - "Better Days and Happy Endings." How about you?

**Robbie** · March 27th, 2002, 08:42 PM

I never heard that album (Brighter Days and Happy Endings) because it's never been put out on CD. Only "Melissa" has. She also recorded two albums prior to "Melissa"--"Home To Myself" and "Bright Eyes"--I think both were released in 1973 (on Bell).

**keefelc** · March 28th, 2002, 07:43 PM

Robbie - Arista released an anthology in 1997, "Essence of M.M." which includes a few cuts (but not many) from the Better Days lp. Bell Records became Arista.

**Robbie** · March 29th, 2002, 11:23 AM

I think Bell Records continued in Britain after 1975, while America went under the Arista moniker.

More on Melissa--I didn't know this, but she appeared in the Bette Midler film "For The Boys" and was a regular on the early 90's show "Blossom". I didn't watch "Blossom" or see "For The Boys", but I didn't know she did some acting later on. I remember seeing her on a 1978 episode of "America 2-Night" (formerly "Fernwood 2-Night") back when Nick-at-Nite reran that show (I hope it comes back in some shape or form soon on--on home video or maybe DVD). Melissa started out working with Bette Midler (I think she was a Harlette early on).

**keefelc** · March 29th, 2002, 08:00 PM

Yes, Melissa was one of Bette Midler's Harlettes. In fact, I believe she was in the original group along with Gail Kantor and Merle Miller.

**Robbie** · April 1st, 2002, 11:18 AM

I forgot to add this other track from the "Melissa" album that's very good--"I Got Eyes". I love the line, "I want to smother my bad-ass lover, with kisses..."

**leftatalbuquerque** · September 25th, 2004, 03:13 PM

Hi,

The Thief of Hearts track(s) was produced by none other than Mr Moroder!!!

As well, I'm interested in getting by hook or by crook the 12" of Pretty Girls, Arista, 1979, from her eponymously titled lp from the same year- the track written by Lisa Del Belo and produced by the same fellow that did Alicia Bridges' "I Love the Nightlife" track.

Please help!! Also interested in "You Should Hear..." extended mix - never knew it existed till I joined this site!

Christopher

**buckaroo** · September 27th, 2004, 10:36 AM

I remember seeing her in Blosom.

She did some stonking good two-step choonz in the '70s too. What's the name of the albums which contain the tracks, "Your Place Or Mine", and "Holding Onto The Loving"? They seem to be as rare as rocking horse **** in London. :lol:

**remicks** · November 19th, 2011, 08:16 PM

Originally Written by Robbie

Although Melissa Manchester wasn't a disco artist per se, she has a wonderful voice and her 1975 album "Melissa" is now on CD. Buddha Records, which put out the "Big 12 Inches" series a few years back, rerelased Melissa's 1975 album. This album contains her big hit "Midnight Blue" and another great track, "Just Too Many People".
Since I enjoy singer/songwriter types, Melissa is no exception; she either wrote or co-wrote almost all the tracks on this album. Even the non-singles are terrific, whether they be slow or bouncy. "We've Got Time" is a fine ballad and Melissa shines with her vocals. "Party Music" is another great song, with catchy lyrics and great overall sound. "Stevie's Wonder" is a strange tune, a bit avant-garde lyric-wise, but it has a cool space-like synthesizer-driven ending. "It's Gonna Be Alright" is another great tune. A bouncy track that makes you feel good.
"Melissa"--a very good album for 1975.