(Cover) - EN Music - Barry Manilow has taken musical risks on his new record.

The singer explained that after releasing a number of cover albums, he wanted to remind his fans that he is actually a talented songwriter.

The 68-year-old star describes his new material as modern and refreshing, but said it required some courage to try something new.

"This was the riskiest album I have ever done. The sound of this album is different to one I've ever made. It's much more energetic, much more contemporary sounding album and I didn't know whether there was going to be an audience out there for it," Barry told a UK TV show. "They love the cover albums. I wasn't exactly sure whether anyone remembered I was a songwriter."

The American musician, who has written for the likes of Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick, also recalled his rise to fame.

Barry was petrified after his song Mandy became an international success and catapulted him into the limelight.

"It is amazing. I was an adult then, I was heading into my 30s when Mandy came out. For me it was terrifying, finding myself in this crazy world," he remembered. "It was made even worse because I didn't want it. I never wanted to be wearing make-up, thinking about what I'm wearing. I'm a musician, I'm one of the guys in the band, I got lucky and turned out to be the lead singer. My music's impact has been very powerful." (C) Cover Media