Dolly Parton Brings 'Tenderness' to 'Midnight Blue' Duet With Melissa Manchester: Video Premiere

For 50 years, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester has created timeless music that resonates with fans.

At 25^u album, REVIEW, tomorrow (February 23), Manchester celebrates its golden anniversary by re-interpreting some of its greatest hits, with the help of some special friends. Dolly Parton joins her on the enchanting ballad 'Midnight Blue', which Manchester took to No. 6 on the Hot 100 in 1975. Kenny Loggins collaborates with her on 'Whenever I Call You Friend', which the two wrote in mid-70s and Loggins and Stevie Nicks had a lasting hit in 1978.

The album includes covers of many of her hits, including “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” for which she won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, in 1983, as well as “Through the Eyes of Love “. “Don't Cry Out Loud” and “Come Through the Rain.”

Manchester, who got her start as a member of Bette Midler's extreme singing group, the Harlettes — and originated the role of Blossom's mom Maddy on the hit 90s NBC sitcom; Flower — now plays Mrs. Brice in his North American touring company Funny girl.

In an email interview with Advertising signdiscussed what it was like working with Parton, who she calls “immediately charming and intimate,” why she re-recorded her part in “Midnight Blue” and how happy she was to finally record “Whenever I Call You Friend” with Connection.

When 'Midnight Blue' was first released in 1975, it was about a romantic relationship. You and Dolly reinterpret it as a song about a long-term platonic friendship. Why did you make the switch?

When Carole Bayer Sager and I wrote “Midnight Blue,” it was about our young marriages, our young husbands, and our much younger selves, and how to navigate some stormy waters. When Dolly asked me to come up with something we could sing together, I thought that reframing the inner world of 'Midnight Blue' as a song between two longtime friends could expand the heart of the song. I think it did.

How did Dolly get involved?

I had reached Dolly [and] he told her that Kenny Loggins, Dave Koz and Gerald Albright would be on the album, so she'd be in pretty good company. He agreed.

What does he bring to the song?

Dolly brought an almost indescribable tenderness to the song. Her singing is exciting and beautiful. She touched me so much that when I first heard her performance, I was moved to return to the studio to re-sing my role to match her intimate and tender quality.

You first met Dolly when she came to see you decades ago at Universal Amphitheater. What do you remember from that meeting?

Dolly came with Lily Tomlin to see a concert of mine. They came backstage – we exchanged some pleasantries, I'm sure – but honestly, after a show, I'm kind of out of it for a while. I'm just glad someone took pictures at the time. I must say we were a beautiful trio.

You've said that working with Dolly “marks a special chapter in my musical journey, embodying decades of friendship, respect and artistic collaboration.” What does it mean to have her on this album as you celebrate 50 years of releasing music?

I think one of the last things one has is the muscle of discernment, to have what you know, to trust your gut, to understand that people will always have their opinions about what you do or what you should do — but, right now, I know what I know and I act when my spirit whispers to me. I know Dolly has that muscle times a million. She is professional, creative and trusts her instincts in a big way. That's why it was exciting when she said 'Yes' to 'Midnight Blue.

There's a great moment in the video when you pull up next to a sightseeing bus in Nashville, and they realize it's you two and they go crazy. How was that?

OH MY GOD! Trust me, it was all about Dolly! The busload of tourists saw her and basically fell over the side of the bus screaming her name! People in cars pulled up and shouted her name! Dolly is a true and worthy queen.

There is another shot where the two of you are wining and eating. Dolly is an extremely excellent cook. Is this her kitchen? Did he cook for you?

The studio kitchen served nicely as our kitchen. It was sweet how he enjoyed the packaged pot roast so much. But she's so tiny, I thought maybe she hadn't eaten in a while and was sad about anything.

Next year will mark 50 years since the song was released and reached No. 6 on the Billboard chart? Why do you think it hit so hard and hasn't lost any of its appeal?

For me, what is woven into 'Midnight Blue', between the words, is the subtle weariness of life. How we managed to capture this in our twenties still blows my mind. Often when I was in Nashville, invited to a songwriter's night at the Bluebird Cafe, and invited to the circle to perform a song and start singing “Midnight Blue,” the audience roared with appreciation. It struck a chord in the country music world and I'm grateful for that. And I'm very grateful for how many people have told me it's helped them through their own stormy waters over the years.

How has your relationship with singing changed over the years?

“Midnight Blue” grew on me. I hope to infuse the lyrics with more worldly experience and knowledge. It has become more of an offering than a song.

As you note, the album also features you, Kenny Loggins, and Dave Koz on “Whenever I Call You Friend,” which Kenny and an unidentified Stevie Nicks hit at No. 5 on the Hot 100 in 1978. You've been waiting all this time to record it with Kenny? What did you think of the original version of Kenny with Stevie?

I thought the original version of “Whenever I Call You Friend” was fine. I was freaking waiting to ever record it with Kenny again.

This is a more elaborate, jazzy arrangement. How did it occur;

I wanted to put my own stamp on it. As much as I admired his voice at the top of the song, I had to find my way into the song. Once I found that phrase “Whenever, when, oh when, whenever…” I knew how to make the arrangement, with the help of my co-arranger/producer Stephan Oberhoff and associate producer Johnny Schaeffer. When Kenny heard the track he loved it and agreed to sing it and I contacted my dear friend Dave Koz. I knew something great was going to happen… and it did!