Stoney End

Barbra Streisand | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000024WW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,341 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Barbra's Best post 60s LPs..., July 30, 1998

By 

S. Sittig "Divawatch" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stoney End (Audio CD)

Easily one of her best post 60s LPs, STONEY END is so unique because for once Barbra leaves behind her supper club/show tunes material and takes a relaxed approach interpreting folk and pop...and to what effect!! All 11 tracks are wonderfully subdued and laid back for Streisand and yet they still bare that stamp of vocal power that has always been her calling card.

This LP is one of the rare moments in Streisand's recording career when seems relaxed, free and not constantly second-guessing herself and her singing. (Unfortunately we haven't seen her this relaxed since.)

A definite must for those who love Streisand's voice, phrasing and diction, but who often tire of her endless renditions of ballads and showtunes drowned in meticulous precision.

Stand out tracks: Her whistful interpretation of Joni Mitchell's "I Don't Know Where I Stand", a nice cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind", soulful readings of Mann/Weill's "Just A Little Lovin'" and Carole King's "No Easy Way Down" (not as effective as Dusty Springfield's, but still respectable) and an energetic, yet carefree approach to Laura Nyro's "Time and Love" and "Stoney End" the title track.

STONEY END is Streisand's vacation day, and what an exhilirating result when she lowers her guard!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STREISAND CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC~BRAVO BARBRA!!!, May 12, 2004

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stoney End (Audio CD)

Barbra Streisand arrived as a credible comtemporary artist with the release of this satisfying landmark album which opens with a magically stirring vocal turning Joni Mitchell's "I Don't Know Where I Stand" into a haunting masterpiece! A light and funky arrangement of Laura Nyro's "Hands Off The Man (Flim Flam Man)" make this a winning version while a dramatically stirring performance of Gordon Lightfoot's "If Your Could Read My Mind" is a delightful surprise for its rhythmically involved arrangement and great Streisand vocal. Seductive in her own winning way with the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill classic "Just A Little Lovin' (Early In The Mornin')" while Randy Newman's "Let Me Go" is the definitive version containing a great Streisand blues vocal. Barbra's wildly successful rocking version of the Laura Nyro classic "Stoney End" is the song responsible for breaking Barbra out of the conservative mold as a singer of "yesterday's songs" into a great singer of songs of any kind with no boundries which allowed Barbra to grow artistically by leaps and bounds. Sung with soulful conviction are fine versions of Carole King's "No Easy Way Down", Laura Nyro's "Time And Love", and the gospel edged riveting rocker "Free The People" is given a frenzied workout and credited to Barbara Keith. Harry Nilsson's "Maybe" and Randy Newman's "I'll Be Home" are sublime ballads which stand tall with Streisands peak work. "What About Today" brilliantly showed Barbra as a credible contemporary singer to fans while "Stoney End" showed this to the world...credit for this incredible accomplishment must also include kudos to the amazing assortment of the "whose who" in the music world who are featured in this landmark work such as arrangers Gene Page, Perry Botkin,Jr., Clas Ogerman, musicians too numerous to list all but including musical legends such as Hal Blaine, Larry Muhoberac, Mike Rubini, Randy Newman, Larry Carlton, and the legendary background vocalists Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Vanetta Fields, Shirley Mathews, Jackie Ward, Toni Wine, Maeretha Stewart, Glenna Session, Eddie Kendrix, Sharone De Vault, & Jerry Cook and this amazing cast was all put together by legendary producer Richard Perry who went on to produce the equally extraordinary "Barbra Joan Streisand" album!!! Bravo to Barbra and everyone connected with this stunning collection...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stoney End: mainstream acceptance for Streisand, December 21, 2000

By 

Mark D. Lincoff (Hollywood, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stoney End (Audio CD)

Barbra Streisand's transition into mainstream pop was not an easy one. Having carved a niche singing decades-old standards, costuming herself in flowing gowns, Cleopatra eye make-up, and sky-high hairdos, she had established what the public expected of Streisand.

But she was unsatisfied. After sticking her big toe into the waters of pop-rock wih the ill-received "What About Today?" album, she jumped headlong into Carole King, Gordon Lightfoot, and Arethra Franklin territory. The results are stunning.

"Stoney End" opens with "I Don't Know Where I Stand," by Joni Mitchell. Streisands velvet shudder renders the song haunting and beautiful. Later, she attacks "If You Could Read My Mind," not with the complacency of a guitar-strumming balladeer, but with fully-orchestrated anger and sarcasm. On this cut, her timing and phrasing are never better. Clipping off ends of words and stanzas, she evokes the feel of a woman left teeter-tottering on the chasm created by emotional abandonment. Later cuts, such as "Free the People" show the singer's ability to handle spirituals, previously thought to be the territory of black singers. While Streisand doesn't attempt to "sing black," she uses all her dramatic resources to pull the meanings out of these songs with all the fire and veracity of Aretha Franklin in top form.

All in all, the album is mixed bag. Yet, all the ingredients are pleasing -- standing well alone, and yet adding a perverse sense of continuity to the whole project. When Streisand ends the disc with the lovely "I'll Be Home," one is easily reminded of the ability this great lady has to caress the listener's ears with her incredible smoothness and control.

This may be a mixed bag, but nothing in it could possibly offend anyone. Miss Streisand seems to finally be comfortable in her own skin -- a young, vital woman singing of issues and feelings that affect the young. Perhaps, more than ever, she is where she belongs.