With Here at the Mayflower Barry Manilow produces another theme-based project similar to Copacabana, the musical based on his early hit "At The Copa". Each of these 16 piano-driven numbers relates to an apartment located in the legendary Mayflower, and with the man in the know: the Elevator Operator. At the top of his narrative and melodic game, Manilow earnestly sings songs like "Welcome Home" and the record's high-energy first single "Turn Up the Radio". "Come Monday", on which the Neil Sedaka peer employs vocal gating much like recent outings of Cher and Blondie, throws modernity into the base mix of Manilow's long-unwavering formula. All in good fun, Here at the Mayflower will never pass for high art, but that was never a requisite for his fans. --Paige La Grone