Barry Manilow & Reba - Islands In The Stream
By: Matt Bjorke
Last Updated: November 3, 2008 12:00 AM
Why is Barry Manilow releasing a paint-by-numbers remake of "Islands In The Stream" to country radio? Because it has Reba! I guess. The performances by both Barry and Reba sound fine but it's not as if they sound passionate here. It will make you long for Dolly and Kenny. While the song was a huge hit in the early 1980's, it sounds extremely dated compared to other country songs. Sure, the single and subsequent album with other 80's songs on it, due later this month, will please his fans but that's about it. I'd be outright shocked if this song got more than a few morning zoo plays and became a bonafide hit and I can't but feel like I've been Rick-rolled with the appearance of this single to country radio.
READER'S COMMENTS
PaulaW says:
Posted: Friday, November 7, 2008
As much as I like both Kenny and Dolly, I never ever liked this song. When I saw this post my first thought was "oh good grief, this song was awful enough to start with" ...... but I'm listening and I really really like it. WAY better than the Kenny Dolly version. I'm shocked! But I really do like it. A lot.
Rick says:
Posted: Thursday, November 6, 2008
I have a funny story regarding this song. I think it was back in September 2005 that I saw Catherine Britt perform a CMA sponsored free concert in the parking lot of a furniture store in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Part of the festivities being sponsored by a local country radio station (KFROG San Bernadino) was a karaoke contest. One gentleman in his 50's was dressed to the hilt in classic country duds and was taking the karaoke contest very seriously! When Catherine came out before her show to say hello to the small crowd he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the karaoke booth to do a duet with him on "Islands In The Stream". Catherine looked totally bewildered as she was not familiar with the song and her part was completely out of her vocal range! When it was over she got away quick and stayed away from the karaoke booth and that guy! (lol) Catherine's musical idol was Hank Williams Sr. and I doubt if she even owned any Kenny Rogers CDs as he always shot for a commercial sound with broad market appeal.