Customer Reviews

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was happy to discover when I received this CD in the mail that the Columbia "Digitally Remastered and Restored From The Original Master Tapes" sticker was on the jewel box. I also own this CD as it was originally issued -- un-remastered. There is a bit of a difference.

First of all, Streisand's vocals in this remastered version are much more clear and present. The remastering has removed that horrible late-1960's echo effect on the vocals.

Secondly, the orchestrations sound crisp. You can hear the separation of instruments in your speakers.

There are no bonuses or alternate vocals (i.e. the FUNNY LADY CD that Arista recently rereleased). However, the "click-click" of Barbra's heels as she walks around in the song "What Did I Have That I Don't Have" has been toned down. My LP version sounds like Barbra had on some clunkers as she moves from the left to the right speaker!

I love the music from this film. The opening "Hurry It's Lovely Up Here" is such a cute song. And Barbra sounds fabulous on "He Isn't You". "Love With All The Trimmings" is as lush as the banquet it describes. And, of course, "Clear Day" is a great belter-of-a-song!

Barbra Streisand's second movie after her triumphant debut in Funny Girl was, let's face it, not a very big hit, and the soundtrack to the movie did not fare any better. In fact, according to IMDB.com, this release has the dubious distinction of being Barbra's worst selling soundtrack album. Admittedly, it isn't her best, but there is very little wrong with it.

Streisand shines on all of her tracks, especially the title track, which while a mere 2 minutes, is a song that is sung with such emotion you can't help but need to hear it over and over again. Other tracks that she shines on are the happy-go-lucky "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here," which just makes the listener happy, and the delightfully silly "Go to Sleep," which is very catchy, and probably could have been a hit for her if released.

Unfortunately, Barbra's co-star, Yves Montand, sang a few songs that are also included here, and take up close to half the recording. They are not too good, and I often skip over them when I listen. Needless to say, only fans of the film will really like it, which in turn is only liked by Streisand's fans. But there's a lot to like here if you are a fan.

I have been waiting for a great many years for this movie to finally be released on DVD format. My VHS copy is close to being worn out its been watched so many times. At last, one of Barbra Streisand's best and funniest movies can be seen cleaned up and in widescreen. Hallelujah! If you like her other comedies, you'll love this one where our girl plays a chain smoker with, as she puts it, no character, not even any characteristics. In her quest to quit smoking; a worthy undertaking in any age, our irritating heroine, turns to Psychiatry Lecturer/Hypnotist Dr Marc Chabot; played by Yves Montand and, in the process a previous life as Melinda Winifred Wayne Tentrees is uncovered in which she is a player in Regency society. She plays a woman with strong psychic gifts that whilst they are the making of her, through misuse, prove to be her downfall. The film is by turns funny, wistful and sad and ultimately expresses the feeling that in the end all things work out no matter how many lives you have lived to get there. With cameo roles from such great character actors as Irene Handl, Roy Kinnear and Jack Nicolson, this film is a treat and contains, to my mind, some of Miss Streisand's best songs especially; and I'm, a big softy here, "Love With All The Trimmings" and "He Isn't You". In addition , the film showcases Brighton's Royal Pavillion in all its glory as built by The Prince Regent, who later became King George IV; Kinnear. Take my advice, if you like Barbra Streisand, you cannot fail to love this film. Go on, BUY it, you know you want to.

For those wondering whether to purchase the Streisand version or the original Broadway cast, I would say definitely get the Broadway cast. Barbra does not fail in the movie soundtrack in the slightest; however, the original has the better of male leads and also includes some of the songs cut from the movie (the same songs that have become my favorites!). Still, if you can manage, definitely get both...Barbra is always worth it!

I loved this movie and when I got hold of this CD I was overjoyed. My favourite songs are HURRY/IT'S LOVELY UP HERE. LOVE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS (Very sexy voice)GO TO SLEEP and of course ON A CLEAR DAY. Why I didn't give it five stars is because of Yves Montand I couldn't stand him in the picture and it was worse listening to him on the CD.

From the opening ode to flowers ("hey buds below. . .") this recording is a joyous romp. It can get VERY silly, but that's its charm. E.g. the reincarnation ditty -- "what did I have, that I don't have? what have I got a great big lack of? why is the sequel never the equal . . ."

She carries the whole thing off with great charm. Beware, however, the droning annoyance that is the voice of Yves Montand -- some find his "Come Back to Me" number hysterically flat -- I just find it grating.

The film soundtrack of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER is a delighful album that should be in all Broadway fans' collections!

The 1970 film version of the failed Broadway musical significantly re-wrote the libretto and cut several of the songs from the stage score ("Tosy and Cosh", "Don't Tamper with My Sister", "On the SS Bernard Cohn", "Wait Till We're Sixty Five", "When I'm Being Born Again"), rewrote some of the material ("She Isn't You" became "He Isn't You" and a showstopper for Miss Streisand) and changed character's names (Dr Bruckner became the more French-sounding Dr Chabot for Yves Montand; Daisy's past life's name was changed from Melinda Welles to the more alluring Melinda Tentrees).

Of the new material, it's all fantastic, with Daisy's duet with herself in the delicious "Go to Sleep" one of the standouts. "Love With All the Trimmings" is alternately cooed and belted by Streisand in grand-style, while "What Did I Have That I Don't Have?", the showstopping 11 o'clock number wisely retained from the Broadway score, is a perfect performance of syncopation and wit. A sublime performance.

Yves Montand does well by "Melinda" and "Come Back to Me", both retained from the Broadway score, whilst Barbra Streisand's version of "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here" slowly builds to its huge climax.

Fans of Broadway musicals and the incantory Miss Barbra are advised to buy this soundtrack today!

Although I saw this movie when first released...had the soundtrack at some point too...I came across the film the other day on one of the cable networks and found myself mesmerized by a Barbra in her late 20's, singing what isn't one of Lerner's great scores (helped by Burton Lane), but singing and giving new meaning and, thus, making the songs from this score her very own. Barbra is impossible not to watch and listen to. Is there any scene from any Barbra movie that is sexier than when, under hypnosis, she travels back to the 1800's, and seduces with "Love With All The Trimmings?" And in scenes such as those or in "Hello, Dolly" or "Funny Girl, one can only feel that Barbra was born to be costumed...at least at that time in her career. She is gorgeous in period gowns and hats! Barbra makes this film very much her own; and the title song has, of course, become one she's included in most of her live shows. Although the Hollywood musical was on its way out in the late 60's and early 70's, it's just a special treat to see Barbra captured forever in musicals that, with a lesser star, would not have remained as captivating to enjoy. And take a look at the sets Vincent Minnelli must have had a hand in creating...as well as directing the film...he had an eye for gorgeous detail, something that Barbra seems to have acquired if you take note of such in, say, "Yentl." Anyhow, this film and score are a delight in the hands of the premiere vocalist of the last almost-fifty years. Enjoy!

Early D.J. versions of the "Clear Day" record album reportedly contained a few extra songs, including a Jack Nicholson number(with Barbra chiming in at the end)and a duet between Barbra and Larry Blyden called "When We're Sixty-Five"(this one was actually released as a promo 45 single, I've heard it and it's sensational). I wish to God the record company would put together a special package of this one, containing all the cuts eliminated from the film after it was chopped down from three-hours. That said, getting "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here" and "Love With All The Trimmings" isn't too shabby, and they sound fabulous on disc. Sure there's Yves Montand warbling on three numbers, but he actually does a decent job on "Melinda"(his accent gets in the way on the tongue-twisting "Come Back To Me", which is good for a laugh). It's Barbra show all the way, and she's wonderful singing with her sarcastic dream-twin on "Go To Sleep" and being coyly fetching on "He Isn't You". Very nice to own!

I loved the movie and am a musical buff...I cannot get enough of the old musicals and their meanings. thanks