Sunday 21 April 2024

Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - BARBRA STREISAND*****

Love Theme From A Star Is Born/Love Theme From The Eyes Of Laura Mars/My Heart Belongs To Me/ Songbird/You Don't Bring Me Flowers/The Way We Were/Sweet Inspiration-Where You Lead/All In Love Is Fair/Superman/Stoney End

Renowned songstress Barbra Streisand’s second compilation album sold considerably better than her first, a testament to her enduring popularity. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 covers a period when she made some tentative moves towards embracing a more contemporary pop sound. (US:1 UK:1)

“This compilation covered her career from 1970 to 1978.The one new song became a signature ballad for her, of course I'm referring to You Don't Bring Me Flowers with Neil Diamond. This was an interesting time in her career where she experimented with various styles.”

“No need to introduce each of the songs individually. What's important is the total package: the even flow of lyric and melody, the voice that will be talked about long after we're all long departed from this world. Barbra's perfectionism is why the production and arrangements remain flawless. You can hear how each song has been personally sculpted by this songbird.”

“If this collection represents Barbra's best recordings from the 70s decade, you know she's in deep trouble. Not because she's not the fabulous singer we all know she is but because it's painfully obvious she's at best a mediocre pop stylist and arguably even out of her depth in this genre. If truth be told, Barbra, the singer of contemporary pop material, can't hold a candle to Barbra, the jazz and stage artiste.”

“This covers the most commercially successful period of her lengthy career. Many self-styled experts malign this time as being artistically deficient but, as we have all been told, beauty is in the eye, or ear, of the beholder.”

“In the final analysis, this collection is very much a matter of individual taste. Those who enjoy Streisand's unique vocal style will find it tremendously enjoyable. Others may not be so kind in their assessment.”

“This collection presents Barbra Streisand at her prime as a recording artist. The program is a flawless balance of actual chart hits and treasured album tracks that sound as if they should have been hits.”

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