Predictable. And by predictable I mean I had a feeling this album was going to be beautiful. Coming from probably one of the most intelligent artists, Barbra Streisand does not rely on her name despite what she has achieved. Intelligence, understanding, and complete respect for the songs is what she teaches us. So simple, yet every line penetrates. Experience, years and years of it. Is the strength of this album.
How right Barbra is in singing "And who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away. As long as I'm still in the game I want to play. For laughs, for life, for love. So here's to life and all the joy it brings." from "Here's To Life" and how they sound like her very own words.
Barbra sings with a very relaxed tone. Softly brushing each note, simply telling a story and applies no pressure to listeners at all. Just enough to call ones attention. Not to the voice, but to the meaning or each word. Oh how she gives life to each line. Songs that are not just songs, but are "Barbra"...
To call this an album is an understatement really. Each song is well thought and braided together to tell a story of life's beautiful moments. If you listen well, one can even feel how pain plays its role happily. Yes, with no hint of bitterness, all are shared as lessons and necessary experiences. The result, strong and confident interpretations.
Phrasing and warmth rule this album. No sudden shifts or outbursts, the orchestra provides ample weight to each song. The conductor manages each song with great knowledge of Barbra's voice. For no moment will you feel that it is the orchestra that carries the song, but sings alongside Streisand, each song hummed playfully by each instrument with ease.
Allow me to go overboard on this but I am out of words for this album. I am just taken. Swept away in its simplicity and elegance. Proof that an album need not be filled with show stopping tunes, loud orchestral introductions or breakneck speed theatrical numbers. As a matter of fact, this is one of the simplest albums I have listened to. Yet, just like a painting, it is like a canvas painted with the simplest of colors, yet stands out not matter how big a room may be. Very intimate, and never at any moment will you feel drowned by the arrangements or vocals.
These are stories, very well told by one of the world's greatest storytellers. And how lucky I consider myself, to be able to enjoy such artistry.
I was never a Streisand fan. I am now. :o)
Artist: Barbra Streisand
Album: Love Is The Answer
Original Release Date: September 29, 2009
Number of Discs: 2 (Disc 2 has the same songs but "quartet" versions)
Label: Sony Music Distribution
Track Listing:
1. Here's To Life
2. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
3. Gentle Rain
4. If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)
5. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
6. Make Someone Happy
7. Where Do You Start
8. A Time For Love
9. Here's That Rainy Day
10. Love Dance
11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
12. Some Other Time
13. You Must Believe In Spring (Bonus Track)
0 comments:
Post a Comment