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The most nasal pipes in the biz caterwaul endlessly on this embarassment. For those who worship at the Church of Barbra only.
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A great sellectionof songs by the most beautiful and strongest voice in Music. Standouts are "Love comes from the most unexpected places" (great lyrics by KIM CARNES) and "My heart belongs to me" (touching). Also the cover artwork is totally nice and sweet. Exquisite!
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No one does it better than Streisand, songs that would sound trite and tedious in another singer's hands can become magically interesting in her's. On STREISAND SUPERMAN, released during her most successful peak, otherwise unmemorable songs such as "I Found You Love" and "Cabin Fever" become showcases of the heart felt emotion that only Streisand can bring to a song.
However, there is very little filler on this album, most of the songs are first rate, and Streisand takes them to the next level. The lyrics to "Superman" are silly, but Streisand' delivery matched with the towering arrangement makes the song oddly beautiful and compelling.
For those of you who loved A STAR IS BORN, there are two top notch tracks on this album that were originally intended for for the STAR soudtrack. "Don't Believe What You Read" is one of Barbra's best rockers, while "Answer Me" is a lovely ballad in the tradition of "Evergreen." "Baby Me Baby" and "My Heart Belongs To Me" are two songs that sound as if they were made for radio airplay. It comes as no surprise that "My Heart" was a top 5 smash when originally released as a single.
The best is yet to come, the last three tracks are all wonderful songs and in my opinion some of Barbra's best. "Love Comes From Unexpected Places" is a beautiful ballad, while Barbra's jazzy take on "New York State of Mind" actually tops the Billy Joel version. The closing "Lullabye For Myself" features a restrained Streisand vocal, as lovely as ever.
An excellent, though not quite classic, album from Streisand, the best entertainer of the century.
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Though many of her 80s and 90s efforts have seemed superficial (notable exception: THE BROADWAY ALBUM), the 1970s were really the peak of Streisand's career in terms of choosing material that her voice could complement. STONEY END, BARBRA JOAN STREISAND, and SUPERMAN remain among her finest achievements and represent true growth in terms of trying material new to her. And the rewards go to the listeners. The SUPERMAN ballad is almost laughably schmaltzy, but Streisand's soaring vocal make it memorable, while ANSWER ME, MY HEART BELONGS TO ME, LULLABY FOR MYSELF, and the stunning LOVE COMES FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES are among her finest, and most restrained, vocal accomplishments. The liner notes for the original album were written by Barbra and I wish they had been preserved on the CD release, but the digital remastering is superb. All in all, a smashing success in a career full of highs.
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