VOA标准英语2011--New Barry Manilow Album Explores Consequ

New Barry Manilow Album Explores Consequences of Fame

Andy Warhol once said, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes."? Pop crooner Barry Manilow explores the perils¹ of life in the spotlight² on his new album, "15 Minutes."
Barry Manilow's new album "15 Minutes" deals with the negative consequences of fame. He says its inspiration came after watching the careers of many talented people be destroyed by their inability to handle success.
"15 Minutes" is Manilow's first collection of all original songs since 2001. From 2006 to 2010, he recorded a series of albums that featured covers of classic tunes³ from the past six decades. But, the 68-year-old Songwriters Hall of Fame member says that he missed writing songs during those years.
Manilow's new concept album takes him in a much different direction than the pop melodies that brought him fame and fortune in the 1970s and 1980s. Although his signature piano playing is featured on a few tracks, most of the album is guitar driven.
"15 Minutes" is receiving critical praise. A review in Billboard⁴ says, "In a pop culture landscape dominated by Twitter, an unrelenting gossip news cycle and TMZ cameras, '15 Minutes' feels right on time."
Retired⁵ from touring, Manilow has been performing long-term engagements in Las Vegas since 2004. He wrapped up a five-year run at the Las Vegas Hilton in late 2009 and opened his new show, "Manilow Paris Las Vegas" at the Paris Hotel and Casino in March of 2010. Upcoming projects include the release of a live album from his recent shows at London's 02 Arena⁶ with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He also plans to record his second jazz album.

1 perils   

极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境）

参考例句：

• The commander bade his men be undaunted in the face of perils. 指挥员命令他的战士要临危不惧。
• With how many more perils and disasters would he load himself? 他还要再冒多少风险和遭受多少灾难？

2 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

3 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

5 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

6 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。