Customer Reviews

Barbra Streisand Album

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Dad used to say that when young actresses first appear, they have luminosity and radiance. And that over time, show business takes this away from them, and steals their soul.

I don't know, but I do know that in this early recording, Streisand's voice is so pure that it leaves me speechless and shattered, like a crystal glass that has broken by the powerful purity of a voice.

It is full of heart that has not yet been sullied by the corrupt 70s, or disappointed by Omar Shariff, facetiously speaking. It is clear, enunciated, and powerful. I challenge anyone to listen to Cry me a River without remembering a poignant lost love. Or, Supermarket in Peking without visualizing every single object in the bazaar. This is a pure voice that will take you places.

Pure brilliance

It is impossible not to experience every range of emotion while listening to Barbra's debut album. "A Sleepin' Bee" is guaranteed to give you chills. "Much More" is practically a self-fulfilling prophecy. "Come To The Supermarket in Old Peking" is just amazing, as is "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf" It is said that Columbia Records did not have much faith in this project - or for the 21-year-old girl making the record. Wow. This album is 47 years old and, still, it is nothing short of breath-taking. "I'll Tell The Man In The Street" will make you wish you were the recipient of her emotions.

THIS is the album by which others should be measured. THIS IS PERFECTION

Heavily regarded by many fans and critics as being one of the greatest Barbra Streisand albums in her career, "The Barbra Streisand Album" introduced her to the world. Recorded in just three days at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City in January, 1962, the record came out four weeks later going all the way to #8 on the Billboard Pop Album chart. Barbra has stated many times that the most important thing when she first signed her recording contract was the ability to be able to choose her own material. For this first album Barbra chose pop standards, performed brilliantly by adding her very own touch to each track. Although none of the songs became singles they nevertheless are timeless classics that have gone on to be identified with Barbra over forty years later. Standouts here include "Cry Me A River", ""A Taste Of Honey", "Happy Days Are Here Again", and "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?".

"The Barbra Stresiand Album" ultimately went Gold and became one of Streisand's most successful records, winning her three Grammy Awards including Record of the Year and Best Pop Female Vocal Performance.

Barbra Streisand's debut album in 1963 could have been called "Spotlight on Barbra Streisand". On the cover, she is photographed close up with a spotlight above her. "Am I out of spotlight?" she asks on a contemporaneous Bon Soir recording. This album cover tells her she is not . . . and tells us she would not ever be, for a very long time to come.

Harold Arlen's liner notes on the album are eerily preordaining: "Watch out for her. And remember, I told you so."

ONCE IN A LIFETIME A VOICE COMES ALONG. STREISAND HAS THE GIFT AND SHE SHARES IT WITH US. THANK YOU GOD!

This is a CD all music lovers MUST own. It's Barbra Streisand's very first album, and even though it is not her VERY best (she really does improve?), it is excellent stuff. Her album is filled with heart aching renditions of standards from Broadway and beyond. The FANTASTIKS songs are amazing. You should pay any proce for this collection. WOW!

Listen to this, then listen to latest recordings- what a difference. Her voice is so clear and flows like water. Amazing, and before all that attitude.

This record is nearly 50 years old and it still sounds as fresh, new and exciting as it did then. I believe that I probably play this Streisand album more than any other in my collection. Her raw talent is astonishing and fearless here.

In the early 1960's, a young woman with a great big voice began plying her musical talents in small but important cabaret venues like the Bon Soir and the Blue Angel. Barbra Joan Streisand was her name. Her raw, firebrand vocal delivery soon won her a legion of fans, and it wasn't long until composer Harold Rome recommended her for the featured role of Miss Marmelstein in his 1962 Broadway musical I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE (as well as his PINS AND NEEDLES revival that same year). Just two years later, Streisand won the role of Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here on her very first album, Streisand performs the bulk of her best cabaret material. Her voice is full of youthful promise, a brash firebrand style which instantly appeals. In later years, Streisand would refine her voice into one of a sleek, almost glacial beauty; but there is still a lot to admire in Streisand's vocals here. Pieces like "Come to the Supermarket (In Old Peking)" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain" are fantastic numbers that she absolutely goes to town with.

She soared to the top of the charts with "Happy Days are Here Again"; and singlehandedly revived interest in the forgotten Broadway musical HOUSE OF FLOWERS with her cover of "A Sleepin' Bee".

Musical director Peter Matz provided arrangements which suited Streisand's still-evolving voice perfectly, and would subsequently guide her through many more albums. Her brash, unkempt personality shines through beautifully on this recording. Newer fans who aren't terribly familiar with Streisand's pre-FUNNY GIRL material should seek the album out.