Melissa Manchester - Help is on the Way (1976) Vinyl LP • Be Somebody

Catalog Number: AL-4095

Record Grading: Excellent (EX), Sleeve Grading: Excellent (EX)

Condition Details:

Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Cover has a few creases near edges; light-scuffing with slight discoloration spots (front/back). Inner-sleeve is original (lyrics/credits) one seam partially split. Spine is unbroken and easy-to-read with mild-wear. Minor shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge; some wear to corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and a few divots. (Notch in top-left.)

Tracks:

• Talkin' To Myself
• Be Somebody
• A Fool In Love
• Headlines
• Help Is On The Way
• Monkey See, Monkey Do
• Dirty Work
• So's My Old Man
• There's More Where That Came From
• Singing From My Soul

About The Record:

Help Is on the Way, released in 1976 by Melissa Manchester on Arista Records, is a pivotal album showcasing her smooth, soulful pop style, produced by Vini Poncia and recorded in Hollywood. The album marked a shift from her earlier collaborations with Carole Bayer Sager, featuring more covers and original tracks like Headlines and Talkin' to Myself, reflecting Manchester's evolving songwriting. Historically, it followed the success of her 1975 top-ten hit Midnight Blue, but struggled to replicate that commercial peak, with its lead single Be Somebody failing to chart significantly despite its top-40 appeal. The album includes a notable cover of Steely Dan’s Dirty Work, which was the B-side to Be Somebody, and an early version of Singing From My Soul, later reworked for her 1978 album. While no singles from Help Is on the Way became major hits, the album remains a fan favorite for its blend of soulful ballads and upbeat tracks like Headlines.