Barry Manilow feels "vindicated" by the success of his latest album, "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties."

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The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and is still lodged at No. 3. Manilow says it's given him some ammunition to fire back at his many critics.

"I feel vindicated after all of the horrible reviews and put downs," he says of his first chart-topping album in 29 years. "I feel like I wasn't crazy all these years for continuing to stand up for the kind of music I believe in. When I see my name up there, I say 'Of course there's an audience out there that wants to hear this.' "

"Greatest Songs Of The Fifties" includes Manilow's versions of hits such as the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody," the Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream," Tony Bennett's "Rags To Riches," and Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight."

Manilow is in the midst of a long-term engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton that is booked so far into mid-December. A documentary DVD about the show, "Manilow: Music And Passion," comes out on March 28.