Release Me [Import]

Barbra Streisand | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B00914JWSW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (274 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,045 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary

Editorial Reviews

Barbra Streisand's private music vault holds all the master tapes she's recorded for five decades. Now, she's sharing 11 previously unreleased songs, spanning a cross-section of her career from 1963 to the present.

In an unparalleled career, Streisand has released more than 60 albums. Many of the sessions for these albums yielded extra recordings, which weren't included on the albums they were intended for. They've all been stored in her vault until now. Over the past year, Barbra has painstakingly gone through the recordings to come up with this collection, Release Me.

Highlights include: "Didn't We" written by Jimmy Webb - recorded in 1970 for an unreleased album project titled The Singer; the standard "Willow Weep For Me" - an unreleased track recorded in 1967 for Simply Streisand, arranged by Ray Ellis noted for his legendary work with Billie Holiday; A striking version of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going Rain Today," with Barbra on vocals and Newman on piano - from the 1971 Stoney End sessions; an unreleased studio version of "With One More Look At You" from A Star Is Born; Two tracks from the unreleased sequel to the acclaimed The Broadway Album, titled Back To Broadway - "Home" (from The Wiz) and "How Are Things In Glocca Morra? / Heather On The Hill" (from Finian s Rainbow / Brigadoon).

Reflecting on the album, Streisand noted, "The thing I'm happiest about is that I still have great affection for all these songs. They appealed to me at the time...and still do. Listening now, I actually think to myself, 'The girl wasn't half bad. "

With the exception of two songs where the original masters couldn't be located, all the tracks on Release Me were transferred from first generation master tapes. Every attention was paid to preserving the sonic perspective of the sessions as they were originally recorded and mixed.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 96 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Wows Again! October 9, 2012

By John L. Roth

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yes, I constantly wonder, how Barbra is going to wow me, yet again? And she has! I was about 12 years old when my father brought home her first album and I have been a fan ever since. It is hard to imagine that these beautiful songs have been locked away for almost three decades. The major bonus to Streisand aficionados is that every song sounds like it was recorded in state-of-the-art digital. No doubt digitally remastered, every song sounds like it comes from the same recording session, crisp and clear with Streisand's voice at the very peak of her five decade long career. Amazing that with hundreds of albums to choose from, 90% of the time I am listening to Barbara while working at the computer. As I type this, 'With One More Look At You' is playing, a version I have never heard, from the hit Streisand movie 'A Star Is Born' from 1976. So that puts this collection at well over thirty years, but you will never know it. Best of all, the songs compliment each other in ways that can only be appreciated by the listener. Play the samples from the Amazon page, buy the album and fall in love with the enchanting Barbra Streisand all over again. This album begs the question, what else is locked away for future release? I'll bet that Jay Landers of Sony Music could tell us off the top of his head.

Update 10/15/2012 - Now I've had a week to totally absorb and fall totally in love with all the songs, I question if I did the album the justice it is due in my first review. First, this compilation is totally unique for Barbra in a very good way. There are some titles which I have become my new favorites. "Willow Weep For Me' is simply outstanding in its unique phrasing, including the outstanding way it displays the dynamic range of Ms. Streisand's voice. "Didn't We" is bound to appeal to the lost loves in your life. "With One More Look At You" speaks to me in ways that have affected me throughout my life. When I saw Barbra perform the song in "A Star Is Born" I had just lost a childhood friend who died tragically in auto accident. I totally lost it in the theater. This song will be forever linked to that event. So my message is that these songs are so profound and that Barbra sings them in a way that penetrates each of our soul's differently. Most listeners around bound to reminisce and relate to these incredible masterpieces that will be unique to their life experience. I wish you the same awakening of memories throughout your life. Some will hurt, most will bring joy, but you will feel more alive for having experienced this incredible album.

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Hit Album October 9, 2012

By Joseph Albanese VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Recently I was in Beaune, France. After midnight. A rainy night in what seemed like the end of the world. Over my iPad, I got a notice from her website (...) that they had a preview of I THINK IT'S GOING TO RAIN by Randy Newman. So there I was, halfway around the world from my home base and Barbra's beautiful voice, thrilling highs and delightful phrasing filled the empty night. I knew everything would be OK in the morning (and it was). She has that sort of power.

Culled from her private vaults, these are songs that Ms. Streisand personally rejected from former projects. After listening to them, I can't imagine why she (or anyone) would not have them on any of her albums. Yes, they are that good.

Don't believe me? Try the legendary HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA/ HEATHER ON THE HILL. For over fifteen years, there have been excited whispers about this compilation. Eagerly, Barbra Streisand's fans awaited to hear it. Well, all I can say is: It was worth the wait.

Starting with BEING GOOD (Which is more a personal philosophy for the lady than a song), all the way to HOME (From "The Wiz"), the special Streisand touch is on each of these numbers making them priceless.

Some might grouse that these are not songs recently recorded. Know what? Who cares? Listen to her playful and insightful duet with herself on MOTHER AND CHILD and you'll know what I mean.

Yes, the songs are a curious mixture of tunes. Frankly, if it weren't for her perfect pitch, LOST IN WONDERLAND would be an unwise selection but her magic makes it, and the other 11 tunes, work.

44 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Streisand Rules In Release Me October 9, 2012

By Alec Straitden

Format:Audio CD

Barbra Streisand's latest release "Release Me" is nothing short of stunning. Everthing that has made her the Greatest Female Vocalist of All Time is here. From her impeccable choice of material, to the kind of lyrics and melodies that are filled with meaning, journey, passion, and the kind of vocal dynamics that is the envy of anyone who has ever wanted to sing are all in full force with "Release Me".

What is especially remarkable about this album is that it is so cohesive as if recorded all at once. Barbra's voice for the last 50 years has remained the Gold Standard and EVERY track here is honestly BRILLIANT. Clearly it doesn't matter what decade you hear her from she always gives you an experience musically that is in a class all its own. Her vocal genious is second to none and these latest tracks continue to cement her position as THE singer.

Its particulary astounding that newest track "If Its Meant To Be" recorded in 2011 for her magnificant Bergman Album "What Matters Most" is every bit as brilliant and powerful as her earliest work decades before. Her voice is truly a one of kind gift that is ageless and timeless in its beauty, clarity and power.

Her singing on these tracks is absolutely amazing. Her warm rich low tones, her soprano highs, her belting, and her whispers are truthful, exciting and moving. Not surprisingly each song is a full fledged performance and shows a deep understanding of the stories shes telling. The orchestrations and arrangements are also spot on and add to Streisand's glow in these fantastic tracks.

The consumate actress in song has chosen 11 tracks that all "fit" together to take you places sonically you can not go without her. She is simply THE BEST and shines on these tracks that cover Standards, Broadway and Pop.

With "Release Me" Barbra the musician, the vocalist, the actress, the performer delivers on these 11 tracks like no once else can.

I can not stress it enough that this release is shockingly good. Its truly impossible to believe that these treasures have lingered in vaults for years. "Lost In Wonderland" is trip down the rabbit hole that no other Alice has ever been able to convey. "Mother and Child" is a Masterpiece of singing and story telling. "Willow Weep For Me" has now finally been sung with the kind of intensity and mood that its lyrics and melody have begged for all these years. Clearly all it ever needed was Streisand's voice and the sublime intricate and captivating reading she has given it.

One can only imagine what else there must be in those vaults..PLEASE let there be a "Release Me Too".