2:00 AM Paradise Cafe is the tenth studio album by singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, released in 1984 on Arista Records. The album peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard 200 and went Gold in the United States.
Background Johnny Mercer's widow, Ginger, entrusted Manilow with a cache of Mercer's lyrics that had never been set to music, although Manilow used only Mercer's "When October Goes" for the project. He recruited veteran jazz musicians Bill Mays, Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Manne, Mundell Lowe, and George Duvivier for the album. Also enlisted for vocal duets were Mel Tormé and Sarah Vaughan. The entire album was rehearsed for three days, then recorded entirely live (in one take) without overdubs at Westlake Studio 'C' in Los Angeles, California.
Track listing
Charts Chart (1984/85)PositionUnited States (Billboard 200)28Australia (Kent Music Report)100United Kingdom (Official Charts Company)28
Personnel Barry Manilow – vocals, acoustic piano Bill Mays – acoustic piano, Rhodes electric piano Mundell Lowe – guitar George Duvivier – double bass Shelly Manne – drums Gerry Mulligan – baritone saxophone Sarah Vaughan – vocals (4) Mel Tormé – vocals (8)
Production Barry Manilow – producer, arrangements, logo design Michael Braunstein – recording Deni King – assistant engineer Greg Laney – second assistant engineer Eric Borenstein – album coordinator Roger Wall – personal assistant Shaun Harris – music contractor Ria Lewerke – art direction Sue Reilly – logo design Leon Lecash – front cover photography Jay Thompson – back cover photography Charles Mercuri – grooming
Certifications
References