Simply Streisand – BARBRA STREISAND****

My Funny Valentine/The Nearness Of You/When Sunny Gets Blue/Make The Man Love Me/Lover Man/More Than You Know/I’ll Know/All The Things You Are/The Boy Next Door/Stout Hearted Men

For Simply Streisand songstress Barbra Streisand trawled the American Songbook in the closing period before she updated her vocal style and choice of material. (US:12)

"This album is almost an example of the kind of work Columbia probably originally intended for Streisand. Middle of the road songs with generic slightly jazzy arrangements, nothing histrionic and nothing dramatic. The result is a very pleasing album but none of the tracks will really knock your socks off."

"Everything in Simply Streisand is the result of a theatrically trained singer, singing classic jazz and theatre songs. The only problem is that the arrangements tend to be alike, with their rising crescendos, practically begging the audience to rise to their feet for a standing ovation. Maybe she was afraid of sounding less than perfect in comparison to the originals."

"No vocal histrionics here, simply some of the finest interpretations of songs from the Great American Songbook ever recorded. This recording is a masterpiece."

"She didn't sing her heart out like she had on her previous studio releases. Her song choices could also have been better. But she still puts out an excellent performance with each song. With Simply Streisand, she chooses a straightforward singing style without the interpretive theatrics. What you hear on Simply Streisand is a much less Broadway and a much more radio friendly vocal style."

"Simply Streisand sees the singer make the transition from nightclub belter to romantic balladeer, performing some of the great love songs. While it doesn't have the fire or excitement of earlier albums, it's still a very worthwhile listen."

"Perhaps the reason why this album failed to make an impression during it's debut was because, on the surface, it seems so one-dimensional. Streisand's earlier albums had been a collection of many moods and styles. Still, Simply Streisand is a fine record of the vintage Miss Barbra in full-flight."

"A perfect album for a fan of jazzy music who isn't necessarily a fan of Barbra."