Melissa Manchester • Come In From The Rain

I am not sure what is happening everywhere else, but the weather here in the Mid-Atlantic region has been all wet - literally. It just keeps raining, and when it's not raining, the heat is making the moisture sit in the air, feeling a bit like a steam bath. So, when it came time to think of a song for this Saturday morning, "Come In From The Rain" seemed like an obvious choice. It was written in 1975 by Melissa Manchester and Carole Bayer Sager, and was first featured on Manchester's 1976 album, 'Better Days & Happy Endings'. It was also on Bayer Sager's self-titled 1977 debut album. It was also the title track of a '77 album from The Captain & Tennille, who had an Adult Contemporary hit with the song. The song has been covered by many, but I still go back to the versions by Manchester and Bayer Sager when I need my fix. Here is an audio clip of Melissa Manchester singing "Come In From the Rain".

The album is wonderful, it was one of several by Manchester that I loved having in my collection. You can find 'Better Days & Happy Endings on iTunes and Amazon. You can also find the song on 'Playlist: The Very Best of Melissa Manchester' on iTunes and Amazon. That collection includes some of the incredible songs recorded by the talented singer/songwriter throughout her career.

Captain & Tennille • Come In From The Rain

With my ongoing highlight of Frankenstorm, aka Hurrican Sandy, invading the East Coast, I offer you all Captain & Tennille singing "Come In From The Rain", something I hope everyone is doing. This was a huge hit in 1977, and was written by Melissa Manchester and Carole Bayer Sager.

Keep dry, my friends!

Melissa Manchester • Midnight Blue

In January of 1975, a little-known singer/songwriter released a new album. Melissa Manchester was discovered singing in clubs in Manhattan by Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, becoming one of Midler's Harlettes on tour. Manchester was a New Yorker, raised in the Bronx, her father a bassoonist with the New York Metropolitan Opera, and her mother a fashion designer. Manchester had her hand in writing eight of the ten songs, co-writing four with Carole Bayer Sager. It was one of those four that captured the attention of many, when the sultry "Midnight Blue" went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks.

After that first hit, Arista followed it up with "Just Too Many People", an uplifting song co-written with Producer Vini Poncia. The soulful uptempo song was a tribute to brighter days to come, even if somebody told Melissa "there are just too many people in this world who are undecided" - seemingly perfect for this political season. The song did well, going to #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

While some might have thought Manchester might be a one-hit-wonder, there was no cause for worry. Not only would she have two more songs make it into the Top 10, her biggest hit was yet to come. In fact, she had seven songs make it into the Billboard Top 40. But more about those some other time. You can purchase 'Melissa' album from iTunes and Amazon. For more about what Melissa Manchester is up to these days, visit her official website.