Customer Reviews

A Star Is Born (1976 Film)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This soundtrack to the film blockbuster (which became the second highest grossing movie of that year) was also an enormous success itself, spending six weeks at #1 and selling over four million copies in the US alone. A monster hit, the film is entertaining and moving, and this is reflected in the soundtrack. A STAR IS BORN is at it's best during Streisand's seven numbers, which feature astonishingly powerful vocals that resonate in the memory even long after the disc has ended.

The Streisand-penned composition "Evergreen" (with lyrics by Paul Williams), with it's haunting melody and classical-style timbre (very typical of her work), is one of the grandest pop records ever recorded. Artistic justice was served when the song also became a huge commercial smash, hitting #1 on both the Pop and Adult Contemporary charts and winning several armfuls of awards. The other song with music composed by Streisand, "Lost Inside Of You" (a surprisingly effective duet with leading man Kris Kristofferson), features a similar classical slant and perhaps could have been a hit as well (that is if it had been released as a single). The remainder of the Streisand tracks were recorded live in front of an audience ("Evergreen" and "Lost Inside Of You" were also recorded live, but in the studio), and these amazing performances will make listeners wish Streisand had given more concerts in the seventies.

Some of this material (especially Rupert Holmes' "Queen Bee") is second-rate and forgettable, but even then Streisand's vocals make them more memorable than they deserve to be. My favorite concert selections are the scorching "Woman In The Moon" and the heart-stopping medley "With One More Look At You/Watch Closely Now." On the downside, the disc has a somewhat disjointed feel (typical of pop-oriented soundtracks) and Kristofferson's three solo numbers are monotonous and sound out of tune. However, Streisand's vocals are fabulous and will make this a must-own for fans.

Though I loved the over-bloated movie in its day, it has not held up nearly as well as this soundtrack, which features a wealth of superb songwriters strutting their stuff via Barbra and Kris Kristofferson. Barbra's pseudo rock/pop/diva material is mostly exceptionally well-performed, most of all her lovely simply ballad Evergreen. But in retrospect, it is Kristofferson's melancholy wailing -- remember he was about to hit rock-bottom during the making of this movie -- that has lasting power and angst. I particularly love Crippled Crow and his version of Watch Closely Now. This is a soundtrack worth having as a monumentally well-produced product from the mid-70s.

I keep coming back to this CD! I bought one of the LP albums when the movie came out, then to a cassette, and now the CD.
I loved the movie, and I love the music...you're cheating yourself if you haven't seen it and have any romantic bones in your body!

After all this time, I still love every single song...I'm so glad to see this remake! Thank you for that....

I bought this album not because of Streisand, like most of the people who have reviewed this album, but because of Kris Kristofferson. He has been one of my favorite singers since I was young, and the songs here don't do him justice. I post this review to let people know that the songs here should in no way reflect Kristofferson's abilities as a singer and a songwriter. The songs here were written by other songwriters for this movie, and his character was a burnt out singer whose career was going down the tubes. Keep this in mind as you listen to his singing here. One need only to listen to any of Kristofferson's albums to know that the scratchy growling voice heard here (almost a deadringer for Tom Waits, which is what makes the songs listenable) sounds nothing like the singer when he makes a valid effort to make music.
As for the soundtrack, the duet with Streisand was good, "Hellacious Acres" is pretty funny, and the opening song (Kristofferson's main hit in the movie) is okay. As for Streisand, I have to admit her voice has a great range and this CD, as well as the movie, is a good showcase of her abilities. That's what the movie was about, and again I stress: don't judge Kristofferson by these songs.

The previously remastered version of this Streisand soundtrack was done well, but the 2002 issue sounds even better. Evergreen and Everything never sounded so clearer. Stephen Marcussen who is credted with the remastering, and Stewart Whitmore for the digital editing have done a splendid job on this album, as well as 4 additional Streisand classics, and the new Essention Barbra Streisand set. I hope there are more coming in her catalog with bonus tracks. Both gentleman's names appear in the body of the artwork on the CD tray insert so you know which is the correct edition. Don't get the one with the old Gold sticker.

I've bought both the movie and soundtrack. I recently bought the soundtrack again is it's remastered version because the origional one was very poor. The remastered still leaves a lot to be desired I believe because when it was origionally recorded, it was intended to give it a bit of aa disco beat. The selections of course are very good. 'Evergreen' is a standard and you would probably enjou 'Man in the Moon'. A must have for Barbra and Kris fans.

I liked this movie. I don't care if anyone else did. It's a re-make and I'm no expert on the original. I like to be entertained and this movie and its music did. So, I like the CD as well. I will say this: you can listen to the words to the songs and, for the most part, they speak to you. No gibberish (although that's okay sometimes, too.) Lots of hooks, and Streisand is great. I'm not offended by Kris Kristofferson either. Listen to it 3 times and you'll fall in love with it.

I remember when the movie premeired in the 70's with Kris and Barbra. The soundtrack has some great cuts on it but, to get the most of of your listening pleasure, I reccomend watching the movie first. Otherwise some of the cuts seem out of place in this complilation of songs. I've ordered the movie but it hasn't been released yet. I can't wait to see it again.

I haven't been a fan of Streisand's for very long, so I don't know many of her performances, but I do know that it would take a LOT to top these. "Queen Bee" is my favorite because it was so cool. "Everything" was very Beautiful. "Lost inside of You" was Beautiful, though I didn't care much for Kristofferson it was still a great song and his voice was perfect for "Hellacious Acres". "Evergreen" was Wonderful. "The Woman in the Moon" was another one of my favorites, as was "I Believe in Love". Streisand gave a spectacular performance with "One More Look at You/Watch Closely Now", a very sad and very beautiful song.

I was trying to remember all of the words to "Watch Closely Now" and I couldn't find my tape. I decided to search Amazon and am delighted to find that you have it. I can relive those wonderful years through the music. I used to know all of the songs by heart. Now I can learn them again. Thank you!