Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    Barbra's "The Broadway Album" is my all-time favorite.  The only
    newer release I had heard was the concert soundtrack, "One Voice",
    which is good, but not as good as "Broadway".  (As it happens, I
    watched my tape of the "One Voice" concert last night, and never
    cease to be amazed at how GOOD Streisand is...)
    
    Some of her other albums have been weaker, though Memories is
    very good.
    
    I haven't heard this new disc you refer to.
    
    			Steve

    My favorite Streisand LP is "Live At The Forum".  I bought the CD
    version too.  The recording took place at a 1972 McGovern campaign
    benefit concert.  There is not a more impressive 'belting' album
    by Barbra to be had.  The recording is not like her more recent
    concert album at all.  Both recordings are of a high quality, but
    Barbra was really in her prime on the earlier work.
    I also like "Yentl" very much, although it seems that most people
    do not!  That circa 1983 disc is the hissiest one in my collection, 
    sad to say.   
    
    Shawn

    
    
    re .0
    
    I think if you read through the notes critiqueing BS's "The Broadway
    Album" you'll discern a bit of dissapointment in my note. I think
    that because of the way Barbra sings, age is beginning to take a
    toll on her voice. A couple of the songs in that disc really miss
    fully in my opinion - and only because her voice wasn't quite up
    to them.
    
    I've been a fan of hers since her debut lp, but only two albums
    stand out as fully listenable - "Stoney End" and "Barbra Joan
    Streisand" which came from that same era as the "live at the Forum"
    album - around 1971-1973. A lot of times she sounds as if she shrieks,
    but then, I'm sure you've heard her talk. It's almost inherent,
    since she sometimes falls into her old Brooklyn (or was it Queens)
    accent.
    
    It seems as if, since "Butterfly" her lp's have been formulaic &
    "grinded out," in the spirit of keeping her commitment to CBS. "The
    Broadway Album" broke that mold, but now it seems she's back to
    the same "filler" sort of stuff. 
    
    				The Cruiser
    
    

    By the way - during her "One Voice" concert, she mentioned she was
    researching an album of movie songs.  Did she ever come out with this?
    
    			Steve

    Not yet.  I was sort of hoping for that type of album, since she
    mentioned her research when introducing "Over The Rainbow".  Instead,
    we get this!  Apparently, Barbra is happy to just walk through the
    lousy songs provided by her friends Burt Bacharach/Carole Bayer
    Sager/Quincy Jones/etc.  Barbra's status in the vocal category of
    pop music is such that she must have first refusal with the best
    songs, and refuse she certainly does!!! Jones produced the first song 
    on the disc with an all-star back-up vocal section comprised of Dionne 
    Warwick, Luther Vandross, and others.  That song is indisputably the
    worst on the disc.  Strictly elevator music.  The best and least
    'affected' song in my opinion is the duet title song with Don Johnson.
    I really do like Barbra at her best, and will provide a short and
    probably incomplete listing of her albums that I DO LIKE so that
    I don't come off as totally negative:
    
    Live At The Forum
    Barbra Joan Streisand
    Stoney End
    Broadway Album
    Yentl
    Superman
    Lazy Afternoon is okay minus the discofied "Wake Me, Shake Me"
    One Voice minus Barry Gibb and "Something's Coming" is okay
    Songbird is okay
    Christmas Album (she sounded hoarse from doing 'Girl each night!)
    The Way We Were is okay, a 1974 album with the 'sixties Barbra' sound
    
    And now the "kennel":
    What About Today? (The forgettable pre-Butterfly dog not on CD)
    Butterfly
    Wet
    Emotion
    Till I Loved You
    
    I did not like the nonsense lyrics in "Guilty".  Dionne Warwick
    made a much better clone album entitled "Heartbreaker" with production
    by Barry Gibb, and lyrics I can deal with!
    
    Shawn

    Oh boy some tough words are swung here.  I agree on the point that
    age is getting to Barbra's voice.  But on the other hand, there
    is absolutely nothing she can do about it.  I think she still records
    good music and she moves with the time.  After all, music expresses
    the feeling of life (at least for me it does) and my feeling of
    life certainly changes with time - and so must the music.  Barbra
    gave me a lot through her music - and still does.  She is only human
    as well and get's older like all of us.  You can't hang on to what
    used to be.  I'm glad there was/is a voice as Barbra's - there is
    none like it - be honest!!!  If her "new" style disappoints you
    so badly - maybe you too, should move with the time.  You will see
    there are not many choices, or are there?
    
    Rose

    I've played the new disc 4 times and even though I'm familiar with
    2 of the songs by other artists, the whole album just blurred and
    all of the songs sounded the same.  I didn't think the duet with
    Don was as awful as I was lead to believe.  The whole album reminds
    me of musical mush or elevator music as previously mentioned.  Im
    still waiting for that  collection of movie songs.
    Her early albums, for me, are her best, esp The Third Album.  Her
    version of Make Believe and As Time Goes By are super.

    I hope that I did not give the impression that I was faulting Barbra
    for her age.  Quite the contrary, she still has the "chops".  She
    just does not use them to full advantage by recording drivel such
    as most of the material on this disc.  Three or four listenable
    tunes out of eleven is absolutely inexcusable from a talent such
    as Barbra Streisand.  The major flaws of the disc are extremely
    bad lyrics/music, sloppy edits and production, and many uninspired
    interpretations.  I had thought that "filler" albums such as this
    one would remain a part of the 1970's.  It appears that Barbra and
    Sade (only w/ the "Promise" album) are striving to revive the form.
    I agree that the "Third Album" is a classic, and Barbra's finest
    sixties recording.  Ironically, the "Second Album" was a bomb and
    badly done, so hope springs eternal!
    
    Shawn

    This past Sunday New York Times (11/6) reviewed the disc in the
    Arts section.  The reviewer seemed to be in agreement with the content
    of this note, i.e. great talent wasted on mediocre material.  He
    also pointed out that there is a vague story line in the album of
    two lovers coming together, splitting up, and a question of whether
    they would reconcile.  Because the material was so boring and all
    the same, I failed to grasp that.  Judy Garland did a similar theme
    album in the early 60's called The Letter.  It was done with John
    Ireland, I think.  The music was by one composer and had minimal
    dialgue.  It was an interesting concept album, an initial failure
    now regarded as a classic.  Something tells me, this Barbra disc
    won't be in the same category.

    I have a  qustion?
    
    On which album does she sing "Memory" form the musical Cats and
    is it available on CD.
    
    Thanks,
    
    David.
    

    
    
    Not positive, but try "Wet," which is definitely on CD & also has
    the hit "Kiss Me In The Rain."
    
    				The Cruiser
    
    

    positive. Try The Broadway Album which is definitely on CD. There was
    some discussion a while back - i think in this conference- about that
    recording. Somebody quoted Rod Mckewen (sp) as saying it is the
    greatest album ever recorded. I haven't yet heard it on C.D., but it
    was that discussion that started me thinking about C.D. Even on L.P. it
    captures my attention. 

    Oddly enough, "Memories" is on a CD called "Memories".  Not "Wet",
    Not "The Broadway Album".  Yes, I'm sure.
    
    B

    Re: .10-.13
    
    The song requested in .10 is "Memory", not "Memories".  However, .13
    is correct that the song is on the album "Memories".  The song that
    a lot of people call "Memories", since it starts with that word, is
    "The Way We Were" - it is also on the "Memories" album.
    
    				Steve

    Checked The Broadway Album. As noted by others, it does NOT contain
    MEMORY from the musical CATS.
    
    

    
    				herb

    Since we are talking about Streisand's discography here,
    anybody know when "A christmas album" was made?
    The CD I have do not show any date on it.
    Was it made before or after The Broadway Album?

 Rgds, Vince.

    
    Seems to me that the Christmas album dates to the mid/late sixties.
    
    But definitely before the Broadway album.....
    
    

    The Christmas Album was recorded in England while Barbra was appearing
    in "Funny Girl", and was released in 1967.  Barbra appears on the cover 
    pregnant with her 21 year old son, Jason Gould.
    
    Shawn

    RE:Note 1365.18 by ASABET::MCLAUGHLIN
    >Barbra appears on the cover pregnant with her 21 year old son
    
    Good grief, that's a long gestation period!
    
    :-)	Mike

    
    
    re .18
    
    Just got this cd as a freebie with a Readers Digest Oldies set (The
    Streisand Christmas Album, that is). I thought it was just a wierd
    dress (she isn't exactly top 10 in the best-dressed category). What's
    a sure give-away on the age of the lp is the hairdo - looks like
    something right out of the flick "Hairspray" - very 60'ish. Still
    no date anywhere on the disc. By the way, for any of you who would
    like to purchase this disc - beware of very audible hiss throughout,
    even tho' the disc has been "remastered digitally." Besides, there
    seems to be something contradictory about Barbra doing Christmas
    music - this was an obvious cash-in album.
    
    				The Cruiser
    
    

    <something contradictory about Barbra doing Christmas music>
    
    Why?
    
    Because she's a Jew?
    Because she's sexy?
    Because she's irreverent?
??????

	Hi,

	My partner is keen on Barbara Streisand (spelling probably duff)
	and has been tyring to track down an album with a favorite track.

	Problem - she can't remember the title of the track. Here are the 
	best bits of the lyrics she can remember.

	"I want everything"

	"I'd like to go to Monte Carlo"

	"I'd like to live in the White House and paint it yellow"

	"funfair ... unfair"

	'Fraid that's all I've got.

	I'd appreciate any help in tracking it down, Xmas is coming and I'd
	like to organise a suprise.

	ta,

	Dave B

    I am certain that the song is on the "A Star Is Born" movie soundtrack
    album.  I am less certain of the song title!  I think that it is
    entitled "Everything".
    
    Shawn

    
    my reply in .21 should have had some smiley faces or something else
    to indicate the wry nature of the questions.
    
    By themselves the questions come across as cold and possibly
    antagonistic. That was not the intent.
    
    It was intended as an expression of curiosity as to why one might
    consider Barbra an inappropriate singer of carols.
    Am still curious.
    
				herb

    
    
    re -1   
    
    And clarification you shall get. I'll just repeat my last line.
    I feel it was an obvious cash-in lp. For someone who's supposedly
    so serious about her religion (she's claimed to be Orthodox - this
    week, anyway....formerly Reformed), I just find it ridiculous hearing
    her singing about something she obviously doesn't believe in. Although
    this is true of most of the music industry, this case may be pushing
    it a tad too far. Stuff like "Jingle Bells" (a clever rendition,
    I might add), or "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting on an
    open fire...etc.,etc.) is o.k., but "Silent Night" - gimme a break!
    It's a bit like me (former Catholic, current agnostic) doing an
    lp of Hebrew ceremonial music. I suppose that I, too, should've
    added some smiley faces - but life is full of contradictions &
    Streisand singing Silent Night isn't that important I suppose. What
    the hell, Poison & Motley Crue do love songs !
    
    (oh geez, now I'm gonna get it from the HM fans.....arrrrgghhh!!)
    
    Al

    

	
    Re .25

    D'ya mean that a Catholic 'cellist (for example) has no
    business playing Max Bruch's "Col Nidrae" (wrong spelling, 
    I'm sure).  Or that a non-Catholic has no business singing
    Palestrina (especially not a Protestant).  Or that a
    Catholic shouldn't play Bach Cantatas.  Or that an
    athiest can't play at church wedding ceremonies?  Or...
    could go on nearly forever.
    
    Goodness, I've played the Verdi Requiem, Mozart Coronation Mass,
    a few Bach Cantatas ...  Obvious commercialism, right?
    After all, I got payed, and I didn't claim to be a Christian,
    much less Catholic or Lutheran.

    
    			George

    
    
    re .26 No, that's not what I meant! I really think you're reading
    much more into it than what's there. Geezus, I'm not on trial here.
    I said what I thought about this being a "commercial" event, rather
    than a religious experience & here ya'll come out of the woodwork.
    Go find your witches to burn, elsewhere - I ain't buying it! I stand
    by what I said - it's contradictory and I seriously doubt whether
    Ms. Streisand would do an lp of this sort again based on what I
    understand are her beliefs. 
    
    What a Catholic cellist, or violinist Itzhak Perlman plays have
    nothing whatsoever to do with what I said. 
    
    Al
    
    p.s. Get a sense of humor, will ya !
    

    Got a sense of humor -- a little too heavy handed sometimes, I guess.
    
    I still don't understand your objection (although now I've got
    a better idea of what it isn't).  Somehow I think I'm missing
    your point entirely, so I just quietly fade away...
    
    			George

	re my original request in .22 and Shawn's reply in .23

	Many thanks Shawn, it is indeed on the Star is Born Soundtrack.

	I found it in the record shop on Friday and its waiting to pop
	into her Xmas Stocking.

	Thanks again

	Dave B

    Re: discussion of inappropriate performances.
    
    >D'ya mean that a Catholic cellist (for example) has no 
    >business playing Max Bruch's "Col Nidrae"... or that 
    >a non-Catholic has no business singing Palestrina 
    >(especially not a Protestant).  Or that a Catholic 
    >shouldn't play Bach Cantatas.  Or that an athiest 
    >can't play at church wedding ceremonies? ...
    
    Or the Marine Corps chorus shouldn't sing "Give Peace a Chance"?
    
    Yes, I have to agree on one level (and this has nothing to do with
    the suggestion of anti-Semitism).  If the music is composed with
    the glorification of a particular deity in mind and if the performer
    is an avowed non-believer of that deity, it does seem hypocritical.
    Whether a Jew sings about Christian beliefs or a Christian sings
    about Hindu beliefs, if the performer has gone on record (no pun)
    as a devout supporter of their own belief, it appears to be a
    contradiction.
    
    One might argue that the strictly orchestral "classics" can be viewed
    as "pure music" with no lyrical restraints as to meaning.  But strictly
    speaking, if an artist is aware of the dedication of a piece and
    if the artist performs the piece, it becomes a fulfillment of the
    dedication.
    
    I had the same feeling when I first heard Bernstein's "Mass".  When
    reading the liner notes, I believe he addressed this issue.  I'll
    have to go back are refresh my memory.
    
    

    re .-1
    
    Please point us at those sections in this correspondence that suggest
    anti-Semitism. 
    I can't find them.

    
    				herb

	I'm wearing two hats in this reply.  First the moderator
	hat.

	I don't object this discussion in this conference, but
	I would prefer to see it moved to it's own note.  There
	is bound to be a more suitable conference to this discussion,	
	but I don't read it.  Now my reader hat.

	I don't see the problem with a musician playing music that 
	glorifies a religious belief that he doesn't hold.  Though
	he may not believe the dogma of the religion, perhaps he
	believes in the truth of the ideals of that religion.  Or
	perhaps it is for the MUSIC that he performs, the simple
	pleasure of turning the music into beautiful sound.  I don't
	see that it for us to question or judge his reasons, whatever
	they may be.

                In this day of supposed religous tolerance (although I'm
        seeing more INtolerance than tolerance here) there is no reason
        why a believer of one religon could not respect that others
        believe in a different religon and respect (or possibly even
        enjoy) the music of that other religon.
                
                /s/     Bob

    RE:.31
    >Please point us at those sections in this correspondence that suggest
    >anti_Semitism.
    
    In fact, there were no real references to anti_Semitism, I was only
    trying to say that what followed may at first sound like that but
    that I hoped by including discussion of Christian performers it
    would be clear that no bias was intended.  I guess I was set up
    for the charge by a comment in .21 with regards to the contradiction
    of Streisand performing Christmas music (>Because she is a Jew?).
    It seemed like baiting to me and I didn't want to get sucked into
    that area of the issue since I don't think it is that specific.
    Of course, .21 also asks "Because she's sexy?" which would hint
    at chauvanism, but I won't introduce *that* (lots of :-)s  !)
    
    I tried to couch another way of looking at this issue in as many
    delicate ways I could (using lots of "ifs", "seem", "may appear"
    and "strictly speaking") to avoid offending anyone.
    
    I guess in playing devil's advocate in an attempt to offer a possible
    explanation of a previously expressed opinion (and it wasn't even
    mine !), I feel I have now been included in a group of religious
    INtolerants (in .33).  If I offended, sorry.
    
    I was merely trying to expand the discussion so please don't reprimand
    me for something of which I feel I am not guilty.
    
    >R.Michael
    

    re .-1
    
    thnx for clarification
    
    			10-4
    			herb

    Personally, I think performers of one religion or no religion singing
    songs of another religion is a non-issue, and I'm also not sure it's
    appropriate for this conference (certainly not this note, anyway).
    
    There is some discussion of this subject in the VIDEO::DECAROLERS
    conference in a note (#22) about [singing about] religion in the
    workplace.  Another appropriate conference might be CITZEN::CLASSICAL_
    MUSIC or in one of the conferences on religion (none of which I
    follow); see note 2.16 in TURRIS::EASYNET_CONFERENCES for a list
    of "Valuing Differences" conferences that includes various ones on
    various religions.

							-- Nina