The Barbra Streisand Album - 1963
Columbia didn't know what they had with Barbra when she recorded The Barbra Streisand Album. You can only imagine that they were ecstatic when they discovered that they'd stumbled upon the greatest female vocalist of the 20th century -- and beyond. Today, this first album is fairly straight-forward LP, Barbra doing material she'd been singing at the Bon Soir and other clubs. The two songs from the off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks -- "Much More" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain" -- still resonate with passion. It makes you wonder why Lore Noto, the producer, didn't cast Barbra in the show when she auditioned. Barbra's elegant versions of "A Sleepin' Bee" and "A Taste of Honey" are also lovely. As for "Happy Days Are Here Again," which became the first of Barbra's signature songs, she recorded it better on later albums. This version is a touch too emotional, especially on the last note. What's extra special on this first albumis the comic element -- "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" and "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf" and "Come to the Supermarket" really show off the kind of infectious humor was incorporating in her cabaret performances. Finally, for undiscovered gems, listen closely to Barbra's interpretation of a little known Rodgers and Hart love song, "I'll Tell the Man in the Street."
My Honey's Lovin' Arms
I'll Tell the Man In the Street
A Taste of Honey
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
Soon It's Gonna Rain
Happy Days Are Here Again
Keepin' Out of Mischief Now
Much More
Come to the Supermarket in Old Peking
A Sleepin' Bee
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