Barbra Streisand - Love is the Answer
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Free Music Notes for Love is the Answer
Free Music Review: I admit that I wondered a little, but this is really superb
Hit: 5 Stars
I admit it: I was a little curious how Barbra would sound on this album. I haven't followed Barbra's recent performances and releases as closely as I should have and, after all, as we all age our vocal chords change. Indeed, it is rare that people sound the same at age 67 as they sounded when they were so much younger. Well, I obviously needn't have worried: Barbra sounds BETTER THAN EVER on this CD!!! She never once lets go of a single superfluous note. The quality of the sound is excellent throughout and I love that artwork, too.
The entire album has Barbra singing with lush orchestral arrangements that perfectly compliment her vocals. Wisely, the musicians never even try to steal the show from Barbra; she remains squarely front and center which is right where she belongs! Every number is a winner that will strike you with its natural beauty and Barbra's voice is as clear as a bell every single time. What a thrill! "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is an absolutely stunning torch song; Barbra handles this with incredible style and so much genuine emotion, heart and soul. The arrangement makes particularly good use of the piano, too. "If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)" features Barbra handling complex tempo and key changes that enhance her performance all the more; this also sports a type of singing poetry that is memorable to say the least; and it's a great highlight of this CD. "Spring Can Really Hang You up The Most" is another gem that Barbra aces seemingly effortlessly--but of course we know that a performance this good isn't just by chance; Barbra's talent carries her through very well. "Make Someone Happy" is stunning and flawless at once--this music is all THAT good. Barbra sure does make this shine and I love it!
"A Time for Love" is also very pretty; those strings are terrific as Barbra sings this to perfection--and beyond! "Here's That Rainy Day" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" never sounded better than when Barbra handles them with panache; and "You Must Believe in Spring" is a fine ending for this album
There is a two CD edition of this release although the second CD has Barbra singing the same songs; it's the musical arrangement that changes. Barbra sings with a quartet instead of an orchestral accompaniment. Of course, which version you get is a personal decision; there's no "right" or "wrong." I do think, however, that the two CD edition would have been somewhat more interesting if there were different songs on the second CD.
Barbra Streisand has blessed us by sharing with us her remarkably unique talents for quite some while now; and I hope that she continues to do so! I highly recommend this for any Barbra Streisand fan; and people just discovering her magical artistry will not be disappointed.
Bravo, Barbra!
Free Music Review: Get the Deluxe Version
Hit: 5 Stars
Would you like to have a legend in your living room? This is the recording. You will wish you had a better sound system, and you may want to get the long play record album version of this. This is both a throwback and a daring step forward -- at the same time. When you first listen to this recording, it may not sink in. You have to "turn up the quiet" and tune into what is taking place here. It is a torchy, jazzy, intimate departure from anything you have heard her --or maybe anyone-- do before. Her phrasing on this recording is exquisite and she uses the fact that one of the world's most famous instruments is changing a little to her advantage, in the most clever and unexpected way. Each song is a well acted story and they all work together to create an exquisite masterpiece.
This recording causes me to look at this artist in a completely new way. My hope is that jazz stations throughout the country will begin to play some of the songs on this recording. The jazz aspect is best heard on the Deluxe CD which has an extra disc without orchestration. The orchestration is nice, but they shouldn't have bothered. That is the only flaw in this recording -- she should have had the guts to issue it without the orchestration. Once you have heard the more intimate version, it is the only one you will listen to.
This is an album that grows on you from an artist who (if you are like me) you may have almost forgotten. Once you listen to it just a few times, you will know you are hearing a legend, right in your living room.
Our next task is to persuade her to leave HER living room and to do a small club tour, holding a lottery for the tickets. I mean, you can only dig in the garden so much.
Free Music Review: This is soothing music.
Hit: 5 Stars
Barbra's voice is so soothing. These songs are lovely. The piano playing is superb, and the musical arrangements on this disc are beautiful. Johnny Mandel's orchesta does a good job here. Diana Krall does an equally fine job producing this disc. These songs sound fresh. "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" is my favorite track. This song is about a romantic longing for that special someone. Another highlight on this disc is "Make Someone Happy". This song is about giving and receiving love. "If You Go Away" is a sad song about losing love. "Here's To Life" is a song about appreciating all the good things in life. Barbra sings about the vitality of the spring season and the gentle nature of rain on a couple of songs. I haven't heard "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" in years. This song is usually sung by a man, but Barbra's rendition sounds good. This CD is perfect to relax to after a hard day. I have heard all of these songs performed by other artists, but nobody can move me quite like Barbra.Free Music Review: The Sixties are good to Babs
Hit: 5 Stars
I think I have listened to every album, and watched just about every movie Barbra Streisand has ever made, and that takes some doing, the gal is prolific. I bought the CD as soon as I could and waited, to be swept away, or not. I simply waited.
When I listened to "Love is the Answer" the other evening, I was writing and had the CD on in the background. Before she'd finished the first phrase of the first song, I pushed myself away from my computer desk (my chair has wheels), closed my eyes and wallowed in the mastery of this woman in her sixties sing as flawlessly as she has ever done. Perhaps it was the collaboration with Diana Krall, I don't know, perhaps it was Barbra being simply Barbra, perhaps it was because I was listening to her at 2 o'clock in the morning, when all sorts of magical and mysterious things happen.
When the last song was sung and the music faded away, I breathed deeply and returned to my writing.
Free Music Review: A Brave Move
Hit: 5 Stars
I think this was a very Brave CD for Streisand to make. I think it is so funny that most of the people who did not like this CD said all the songs were slow. It's funny to me due to another CD that is doing very well and one I also like but each song is slower than the one before it. That would be Susan Boyle's Cd. I think she sounds very good. The songs are amazing. "If You Go Away" makes the hair on my arms stand up. You can tell that work was done on this Cd and it was not something put together in a week or so. The way it should be done if you care about your work. I love her and love that she is still making such good music. Happy New Year Babs.