In Brief

Barry Manilow, “Singin’ With the Big Bands,” (***) Arista. Flashing exemplary big-band crooner form, Manilow glides through swing favorites, wisely using the original arrangements (with a stronger rhythm-section emphasis). He’s smoothly supported by current editions of famous bands on what is easily his finest album.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).