Search - Barbra Streisand :: Third Album

Barbra sold these songs without even trying--BRAVO, BARBRA S

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Third Album by Barbra Streisand has me believing even more than I did before that this lady has TALENT! Barbra's voice is in excellent form on this CD and it's only too bad that we don't get twenty more songs from her on this CD! I mean that in a positive way. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.



"My Melancholy Baby" shines brighter than silver and gold when Barbra sings this ever so sweetly; and when the full musical arrangement starts this number truly takes flight! Barbra sings this with great sensitivity and that's terrific. Her voice is clear as a bell; and her uncanny sense of timing enhances her performance even further. "Just In Time" features Barbra Streisand's vocals squarely front and center--and that's quite all right with me! The lush musical arrangement never drowns out Barbra as she sings this to perfection--and beyond! Wonderful!



"Taking A Chance On Love" gets the royal treatment from Barbra; she sings this with a slower tempo than I'm used to but it all works very well. "Taking A Chance On Love" really sparkles when Streisand picks this up and makes her own mark on this ballad with some tactful key changes and that slower tempo that sounds great. No wonder this record album sold well when it was originally released all those years ago! In addition, there's also "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered;" Barbra throws herself into this ballad to make it even brighter and upbeat than ever before. This love song benefits so much from Streisand's natural vocal talent and "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered" has a very pretty musical arrangement.



"As Time Goes By," is, of course, one of the very greatest love songs ever written; and Barbra does great justice to this timeless ballad as she delivers it without a superfluous note. "As Time Goes By" was originally performed by Dooley Wilson in the movie Casablanca; and Dooley would have been proud of Barbra's rendition!



"It Had To Be You" gets a very sensitive treatment from Streisand who never misses a beat; and the strings are used to great advantage. The soft piano arrangement rounds out the melody quite nicely as the strings carry the bulk of the melody. Listen also for "Make Believe;" this ballad is quite sweet and Barbra performs this with panache.



The CD also ends well with Barbra Streisand performing "I Had Myself A True Love." This final number again showcases Barbra's vocal talents and her delivery of "I Had Myself A True Love" impresses me greatly.



Barbra Streisand fans will naturally want this album in their collections.



Thank you, Barbra Streisand!

"

Barbra says, "Happy Birthday, Steven!"

Steven Haarala | Mandeville, LA USA | 12/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Years ago someone gave me one of those printouts which showed what was happening on the day I was born, and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" happened to be the No. 1 song. Barbra sings it on this album. In fact, she proves on this album that she, in those days at least, was the premier interpreter of standards. No Streisand fan needs to be reminded that in 1964 her voice, her pitch, her phrasing were so perfect that probably they will never be equalled. I know that is an extravagant statement, but I've heard a lot of singers, and I believe what I am saying. How many times have I heard "Bewitched" sung by others, along with "My Melancholy Baby", "As Time Goes By", "Taking a Chance on Love" and "It Had To Be You"? But to me, Barbra's are the definitive versions. And her interpretation of "Just In Time" is one of those eccentric but exquisite gems that only she could successfully put across. In a complete change of pace, "Draw Me a Circle", which was used to open her CBS special "Color Me Barbra", is one of her performances that sound childlike and very wise at the same time. This is not a bombastic, mind-blowing album. Just a collection of straightforward supper club standards and show tunes, very satisfying. It is one of my favorite albums from one of my all-time idols, a person who truly has had a very real and positive effect on my life. Period."