Don't Cry Out Loud

by Bruce EderThe melodramatic, weepy title track of Don't Cry Out Loud was a much-needed hit at a time when Manchester's sales were in decline, but it's actually the weak link in an otherwise delightfully frothy set. "Shine Like You Should" opens the proceedings on an effervescent note, and the optimistic "it's all good" philosophy pervades the rest of the album. Marvin Gaye producer Leon Ware was the springboard for some of Manchester's best ever songwriting: His soul/R&B input was just the shot in the arm she needed, and the results are as good as 1975's Melissa. Don't Cry Out Loud represents Manchester's last hurrah as a full-on singer/songwriter.