Customer Reviews

Color Me Barbra

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't agree with some of the posted reviews that one needs the visuals of the accompanying TV special to fully appreciate some of the song selections. I think Barbra has too much foresight to produce an album that limited. That sensibility is one of the reasons her entire solo catalog is still in print and still sell as single CDs rather than those dreaded "2-FER" packages. "Color Me Barbra" is one of her essential 60s albums, featuring glorious, youthful vocals which contrast with Barbra's trademark wisdom beyond her years. "Minute Waltz" is delightful fun, while the medley is equal parts farce and amazing vocal gymnastics. The ballads rank among her best and the album package, front and back, is fabulous. This CD should be a permanent part of any Barbra collection, then or now. Hopefully the inclusion of the "It Had To Be You" video from the special on the new "Barbra - The Concert" DVD will mean the DVD reissue of the Streisand Specials, which were available for a short while on VHS in the mid/late 1980s. Barbra's ongoing legacy deserves the star treatment in every format.

Listen to "WHERE AM I GOING" and "STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW" and you will know why Streisand is a legend. MAGIC!

This album is wonderful! It is so much fun. It's rare that you can listen to an album without fastforwarding through most of the titles. Not so with this masterpiece - just pop it in and sit back and enjoy. My favorite is the Minute Waltz, listen to it - you'll die from laughter. Better yet try to keep up!

This is the soundtrack from one of her award winning t.v. specials. Fabulous songs from a true legend.

I was very pleased at the prompt delivery of this new item at a very good price. I would definitely order from this seller again.

I collected all of Barbra's albums on tape and it's a new experience and a joy to do it all over again on the perfection of CD! I love it!

Barbra Streisand released this gem as a tie-in with her second CBS TV special that aired on March 30th, 1966, and it was her first filmed in color. The album garnered Barbra two Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Female Vocal, but she lost both. "Color Me Barbra" shot all the way to #6 on Billboard and would be certified Gold by the RIAA. Highlights here are a medley that includes the songs "What's New Pussycat?", "Funny Face", and "Animal Crackers In My Soup". "C'est Si Bon" and "Starting Here, Starting Now" are beautiful recordings. Unfortunately the CD is now out-of-print, but hopefully Columbia will re-release it soon. There is a companion DVD of this TV special that is available individually or in a special deluxe boxset featuring all five of Barbra's CBS television specials.

Recorded to accompany her TV special of the same name, COLOR ME BARBRA captures Barbra Streisand at the peak of her early musical career. Having been catapulted to fame following sold-out nightclub engagements plus the Broadway and London productions of FUNNY GIRL, Barbra pours all her skills and musical tastes into this impressive record.

Things get off to a cracking start with "Yesterdays" (originally from the musical ROBERTA), a manic opening number with medieval harpsichord prominently scored. More magic is right around the corner with "One Kiss", "The Minute Waltz" and "Gotta Move" (a number she previously covered on her second album, but in a different arrangement). "Non C'est Rien" is a gorgeous romantic ballad that's guaranteed to make you hit the 'repeat' button on your CD player.

"Where or When", a delicious romantic song from Rodgers and Hart's BABES IN ARMS, glows like a rare jewel with Streisand's delicate interpretation. The clever medley incorporating "Animal Crackers in My Soup", "Funny Face", "That Face!", "They Didn't Believe Me", "Were Thine That Special Face?", "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face", "Let's Face the Music and Dance", "Sam, You Made the Pants too Long", "What's New, Pussycat?", "Small World", "I Love You", "I Stayed too Long at the Fair" and "Look at That Face" (phew!) is delivered with lots of showmanship.

Those only familiar with Eartha Kitt's classic recording of "C'est Si Bon" will find a refreshing change within Barbra's sparse cover of it. "Where Am I Going?", the dramatic eleven o'clock ballad from SWEET CHARITY and a clarifying, inspirational "Starting Here, Starting Now" bring the album to a satisfying close.

Even if you haven't seen the COLOR ME BARBRA television special you'll certainly appreciate everything that Barbra climbs and conquers on this album, which displays her versatility as a singer and all-round entertainer. An essential title for Barbra fans. [COLUMBIA-CK9278]

Released as a soundtrack of sorts to her second t.v. special of the same name, Color Me Barbra is a fabulous group of songs which, unlike some of the songs on My Name is Barbra, all stand on their own, making this album great whether or not you've seen the special, and whether or not you liked it.

01. Yesterdays- A fun fast-paced song to begin the album. Not very memorable, though. B-

02. One Kiss- One of my favorite tracks on the album, this song has a beautiful piano and strings complementing her equally beautiful voice, and shows Barbra at her classy best. A

03. The Minute Waltz- A cute little song, in which Barbra attempts to sing a song in one minute. Sadly, she fails, but it's fun to listen to her try. B+

04. Gotta Move- An interesting reworking of Barbra's song from her second album. This time, it's more about the horns than the drums here, and it's pretty good. B+

05. Non C'est Rien- A lovely song in French, which was ironically sung in English on Barbra's later French album. You can truly be moved by this song, whether you understand French or not. A-

06. Where Or When- One of the few uninteresting songs on this album. As always, it is sung well, but doesn't really move you in any way. C

07. Face Medley- This is a really fun medley. At over eight minutes, it doesn't feel long enough, with some fabulously incorporated songs. A

08. C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)- Admittedly, I prefer the feistier Eartha Kitt version better, but Barbra's slower, more romantic version here is still a good version in its own right. Great for those in a loving mood. A

09. Where Am I Going?- This song doesn't seem to belong on here. It sounds like it's meant for one of her later 70s soft-rock recordings. That being said, it's a good (though not very catchy) show-stopping number B-

10. Starting Here, Starting Now- A perfect song, and anyone who saw her on her last tour can tell you it's even better live. Her voice is silky smooth, and hits all the right emotions perfectly. A

Every Barbra Streisand fan will want this, and even some non-fans may find enjoyment in this release. There is very little to dislike.

One of my favourite Streisand albums. Great ballads and a fantastic medley full of well known songs. A great album for new fans to discover
Barbra.