Barbra Streisand "Walls"

[bwayboy22]

Barbra is releasing a new album, seemingly very soon, composed of original music. This will be her first album with new music since "Guilty Pleasures", and from the snippet she released on social media yesterday it sounds fantastic. 

https://twitter.com/BarbraStreisand/status/1044621531651936257

She also released a new photo for the album, looking great (and not overly photoshopped) saying to set your alarms for a surprise at 6:15 AM tomorrow, which I'm assuming will be the first single "Don't Lie To Me".

https://twitter.com/BarbraStreisand/status/1044985413599940608

 

[Jordan Catalano]

I’m so excited for a whole album of new music from her. I really didn’t think we’d ever get another one.

[KFC1991]

The trouble is Streisand is at her best when singing standards. Her album Love is the Answer is one of her best I think, filled with old songs that were new to her. The new songs she sings, Gulity Pleasures, the Barry Manilo duet, etc. are not top drawer.
I'm cautiously optimistic, and it's a hell of a lot better than that duet album with a bunch of her old hits rerecorded for no reason.

[Miles2Go2]

Loving the new single. Exactly the type of urgent music we need these days. Her best single in years. Hope she tours. Both she and Cher are on my concert bucket list.

[uncageg]

Love the single.

[Jordan Catalano]

It’s so good. We get a new Streisand song and Cher’s new album today. I can’t handle this much gayness!

[uncageg]

Thank you Jordan! I knew an album was due today. Wasn't sure if it was Janet's or Chaka's and totally forgot about Cher's album. Really wish it was new material but I will give it a listen. Cause...it's Cher.

[BPfan81]

The song is catchy with current melodies. I certainly hear her voice has aged and lacks that clarity that she is known for. It sounds a bit raspy as well. However, I am looking forward to her album. My mother introduced me to her and "Guilty" with Barry Gibb is on constant rotation on my playlist. I don't know how realistic it is though that she will tour with this new release.

[Miles2Go2]

No one has the vocal range in their seventies that they had in their twenties, but that can require the artist to find different ways to sing a song, even pushing them deeper into the song and its meanings rather than relying on those high notes. I don’t think Barbra ever relied solely on her ability to hit those high notes, but I have not heard her this impassioned in a long time. I love her in all her iterations. I so hope she tours.

[Huss417]

Streisand has released the first video Don't Lie to Me. Watching the video it still makes me wonder how anyone could have voted for this man and what continues to happen to this country. Just to quote a person from TB. "He'll be good for the gays." Two words for that person. Supreme Court.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNrj87Q-4Yk

[SweetLips22]

I'm so bored with this lady now, can't even listen to her and I certainly wouldn't put her in the category of inspiring 'gayness' emotions--Donna Summer--Yes!

Back in the days of the Colour me Barbra when I actually saw this on my first colour TV in the Railway Hotel in Glascow, I hung on every note as if I  'discovered'  Barbra.

She lost me at........Yentl

[Miles2Go2]

To each their own I love Yentl. And I’m loving this pissed-off Barbra.

[John Adams]

When it comes to politics, Streisand has always been "pissed-off". I never get tired of watching John McCain's (bless and rest his soul) 2002 SNL rebuttal sketch. This is nothing new for her.

What Streisand does well, she does so very, very well that it's easy for me to turn a blind eye when she releases a song like "Don't Lie to Me".  

Although I agree with her point of view, the way she's expressing it lacks the vocal creativity and emotion she's demonstrated in the past. ...and those God-awful, cliched lyrics... 

[bwayboy22]

The second single, "Imagine/What a Wonderful World", was just released and it is beyond stunning and brought me to tears. This is essential Streisand, I loved "Don't Lie To Me", but her rendition of this medley, to me, rivals Barbra in her prime. 

[Miles2Go2]

bwayboy22 said: "The second single, "Imagine/What a Wonderful World", was just released and it is beyond stunning and brought me to tears. This is essential Streisand, I loved "Don't Lie To Me", but her rendition of this medley, to me, rivals Barbra in her prime."

Thanks for the heads up. Truly lovely. 

[John Adams]

bwayboy22 said: "The second single, "Imagine/What a Wonderful World", was just released and it is beyond stunning and brought me to tears. This is essential Streisand, I loved "Don't Lie To Me", but her rendition of this medley, to me, rivals Barbra in her prime."

This track is the Barbra I love! 

Streisand has such a respectable presence in the recording industry, and in the past, she's very smartly partnered with some equally respected artists, and artists who are at the top of their game, in their genre (like her partnerships with Donna Summer, Celine Dion, Barry Gibb, et. al.) to produce really beautiful tracks.

I wonder how different "Don't Lie to Me" might have been if she had partnered with Donald Glover/Childish Gambino for that track; even if she had only collaborated with him on the video...

For my tastes, Streisand falls short when she is too eager to put that "written and directed by Barbra Streisand" stamp on a project. Her work is better (for my tastes) when she merges the best of herself with the best of collaborating artists.

[Huss417]

To make it easier for others here is the link to the audio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0QGi7_KWFE