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Product Description
Review
At an age when many singers would be content to re-record earlier hits and package the end product as a 'new' release, Barbra Streisand has here produced 10 wholly new recordings of material featuring words by lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, a duo with whom she has enjoyed a long and successful partnership, on both disc and film.
Throwing down the gauntlet, she begins by singing the first verse of one of their best loved songs, The Windmills of Your Mind, unaccompanied. It's a daring move, but one that she pulls off thanks to her innate artistry; though it's notable that even her peerless technique can't quite disguise the greater effort required in sustaining the extended vocal lines. Many of the more familiar Bergman titles previously tackled by Streisand, like The Way We Were and You Don't Bring Me Flowers, can be heard on the second disc contained in the deluxe edition of this CD.
For the single-disc version, though, Streisand focuses on new recordings, and she has roamed far and wide reintroducing songs that were written for Fred Astaire (That Face) and Frank Sinatra (Nice n Easy) - the latter a song so tailor-made for Ol' Blue Eyes that it could well have been written by his house songwriters Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. Both arrangements include swing passages that show off the expertise of the orchestra. Other songs are romantic and frequently nostalgic in tone, including many titles from well off the beaten track. Some come from the world of jazz, including compositions by Johnny Mandel and Dave Grusin, and from the cinema with credits for John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith. So Many Stars, a gentle bossa nova from Sergio Mendes, rounds off the composer credits.
Something New In My Life is a real highlight. A rarely heard piece by Michel Legrand, composer of The Windmills of Your Mind, it brings out a new expressive vein in the Bergmans' lyrics. Fans of John Williams will note his inimitable harmonic touch and lyrical style in The Same Hello, the Same Goodbye, originally composed for an enraptured Sinatra. The state of the art recording ensures that this is another unmissable feast of song from an artist seemingly unstoppable in her continuing quest to present something new to her worldwide audience.
--Adrian Edwards
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CD Description
The release of What Matters Most- Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman marks Barbra Streisand's long-cherished desire to release an album of music with lyrics exclusively written by her collaborators and friends, Alan and Marilyn Bergman. What Matters Most is Ms. Streisand's first new album since the September 2009 release of Love Is The Answer, which debuted at Number One, making her the only artist to achieve number one albums in five consecutive decades.
The new album, which Streisand personally produced, is comprised of ten Bergman songs which Streisand has never previously recorded. Included in the set are the Academy Award winning songs "The Windmills of Your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair); "So Many Stars" (originally a hit song for Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66); "Nice 'n' Easy" (popularized by Frank Sinatra); and "That Face" (first recorded by Fred Astaire).
The CD is packaged in a jewel box with a 24-page color booklet. The deluxe edition CD includes ten previously released performances of Barbra singing the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman including "The Way We Were", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "Pieces of Dreams".
The new album, which Streisand personally produced, is comprised of ten Bergman songs which Streisand has never previously recorded. Included in the set are the Academy Award winning songs "The Windmills of Your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair); "So Many Stars" (originally a hit song for Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66); "Nice 'n' Easy" (popularized by Frank Sinatra); and "That Face" (first recorded by Fred Astaire).
The CD is packaged in a jewel box with a 24-page color booklet. The deluxe edition CD includes ten previously released performances of Barbra singing the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman including "The Way We Were", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "Pieces of Dreams".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I never usually write reviews, but I was so pleased with this CD, and knowing sometimes how persuading reviews can be in determining whether to buy an item, I decided that I simply had to. This review isn't going to go through the CD track by track, so if that's what you're looking for, I suggest you look at some of the other reviews that are superb. However, if you're looking for a review from someone who has many many Streisand CD's and DVD's, and therefore is more than qualified to critique her work, this is for you.
What Matters Most for the majority of Barbra fans is just that, Barbra. This album was made by Barbra for the reason of dedicating it to her friends Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who've written many iconic songs for Barbra such as 'The Way We Were', one of my favourites. Barbra didn't make this album because she wanted the money, let's face it, she doesn't need it. Nor did she make it for added fame or publicity, or to appease the public. Barbra's works such as 'Yentl' and this album have been made by her because she wanted to, to say something to the world about something she cared about. This album is exactly that, a show of dedication not for herself, but for those around her.
Reaching almost the age of 70, many people these days think Barbra's voice is not as it once was - and they're right in saying that. Show me any 69 year old whose voice still is. But that's not saying Barbra's voice has gotten worse, when I try to think of a decade in which her voice was at it's peak, I simply cannot. In every decade her voice has evolved and conquered new challenges, it's adapted and grown, but never has it shrunk or been forced to change to follow the crowd. Here she is singing songs that now suit her more relaxed voice, and boy is she wowing us with them. This album shows us just that.
Song by song, she manages to wow us even more, 'Windmills Of Your Mind' is a chilling and crystal clear song that's capable of giving goosebumps, and then she later shows us that she's in control of the other end of the spectrum, making you move to the more 'jazzy' songs of 'Nice 'n' Easy' and 'That Face', a song that one could believe was surely invented for just her! Throughout the album she makes you smile as she conquers new feats and just amazes you with how she still has that iconic voice. The more I listen to it the more I begin to think this must truly be one of her greatest albums to date, and I own more than I care to admit!
If you're thinking about buying it but wondering whether at the age of 69 her voice is just not what it once was, don't hesitate a moment longer, you'll be denying yourself the chance to listen to Barbra at one of the many peaks of her career.
It's "Simply Streisand" at her best!
What Matters Most for the majority of Barbra fans is just that, Barbra. This album was made by Barbra for the reason of dedicating it to her friends Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who've written many iconic songs for Barbra such as 'The Way We Were', one of my favourites. Barbra didn't make this album because she wanted the money, let's face it, she doesn't need it. Nor did she make it for added fame or publicity, or to appease the public. Barbra's works such as 'Yentl' and this album have been made by her because she wanted to, to say something to the world about something she cared about. This album is exactly that, a show of dedication not for herself, but for those around her.
Reaching almost the age of 70, many people these days think Barbra's voice is not as it once was - and they're right in saying that. Show me any 69 year old whose voice still is. But that's not saying Barbra's voice has gotten worse, when I try to think of a decade in which her voice was at it's peak, I simply cannot. In every decade her voice has evolved and conquered new challenges, it's adapted and grown, but never has it shrunk or been forced to change to follow the crowd. Here she is singing songs that now suit her more relaxed voice, and boy is she wowing us with them. This album shows us just that.
Song by song, she manages to wow us even more, 'Windmills Of Your Mind' is a chilling and crystal clear song that's capable of giving goosebumps, and then she later shows us that she's in control of the other end of the spectrum, making you move to the more 'jazzy' songs of 'Nice 'n' Easy' and 'That Face', a song that one could believe was surely invented for just her! Throughout the album she makes you smile as she conquers new feats and just amazes you with how she still has that iconic voice. The more I listen to it the more I begin to think this must truly be one of her greatest albums to date, and I own more than I care to admit!
If you're thinking about buying it but wondering whether at the age of 69 her voice is just not what it once was, don't hesitate a moment longer, you'll be denying yourself the chance to listen to Barbra at one of the many peaks of her career.
It's "Simply Streisand" at her best!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
barbra's voice is a bit strained, we can't deny this, and there were a couple of moments in 'love is the answer' that i didn't like, but then in her concert at the village she seemed to be exploring new ways of using her current voice, and they sound promising. here in this album she is singing wonderfully, maintaining her unique timing and phrasing, and with arrangements by bill ross that carry her in a chariot of good taste and elegant sounds. her love of the bergmans'lyrics shows. my favourite has always been 'the windmills of your mind' and her version doesn't dissappoint. of course, if you're a young consumer, be warned that you won't find upbeat numbers; just relax, listen and be carried away by good music.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Always interesting a new BS release, the last one was superb involving Diann Kraus. Now we get her doing what she does better than anyone else,singing great film songs over in the de luxe set two discs OK two or three of the songs we've had before, but there worth re looking at, The Way We Were and You Don't Buy Me Flowers, plus one of my alltime favourites Papa Can You Hear Me (from Yentl).To the main disc and oh this is wonderful music sung as only she can, all new for her from the classic Windmills Of Your Mind (originally in the film Thomas Crown Affair),The Bergmans who are the writers of every song on this album, give full range to Barbra's still amazing voice,the range and tone .The title song What Matters Most suits her down to the ground.The production throughout is stunning and already for me rates as one of her best albums, and up there with the classic Broadway Album.You may know some of the songs, maybe just one or two but no matter this is one great album you'll play again and again.This is what try popular music is all about, five stars all the way plus...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best of Barbra Streisand
If you a fan of Barbra and/or a fan of well-written and constructed songs then this is the CD set that you must add to your collection.Not to be missed.
Published 3 months ago by MEJames
WOW!!
Quite superb, and I don't say that often.It is difficult to believe the distance in time between the recordings on the first, new, CD, and the reissues on the second-it is hardly... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. M. J. Martin
Brilliant!
This double CD is great value.
Barbra's voice is as clear and beautiful as ever - in fact she has developed a depth that I really like. Read more
Barbra's voice is as clear and beautiful as ever - in fact she has developed a depth that I really like. Read more
Published 4 months ago by janus panus
present for wife
She thought it was excellant Streisand is still a top class artist and singer
she does full credit to Alan & marilyn Bergman songs.
she does full credit to Alan & marilyn Bergman songs.
Published 4 months ago by fin57
Nice and Easy does it
Easy listening, comfortably Barbra in a 'Nice and Easy does it' style. Another enjoyable album for the 'die-hard' fan as Barbra has definitely slowed things down in this album... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jasper
wow
What do you say about this cd , only that its another masterpiece to her collection of brilliant music and songs. You cant improve on the best.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. D. Grierson
What Matters Most
I would say this is one of Barbra's very best CD's her voice is like Velvet wonderful arrangement.
The double CD is well worth the money...
The double CD is well worth the money...
Published 6 months ago by Bee
Very pleased
I purchased this CD for my Mother, who loved Barbra Streisand years ago but never replaced her vinyl collection with CDs. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. A. C. Crowe
Barbra Streisand sings the lyrics of Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Always a favourite, her golden voice gives so much pleasure. Every song in this collection is beautifully sung, every word distinct. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Fran
Barbara Streisand
This C.D was bought for a birthday present for an avid fan. It arrived in good time and in good condition. Well packed
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. A. P. Bonner
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