All About Barbra by Steven Baxter

all about

Barbra online No.1

ROZ FOCKER IS BACK!

Welcome to the first online issue of All About Barbra

his is the first on-line issue of All About Barbra. We hope you enjoy it. This publication is free for Streisand fans to enjoy the world over – all we ask is that you consider offering a small donation to help us continue to cover the web-publishing costs involved. Thank you. We hope to continue to produce informative issues that mix new reports with articles and features taken from past issues of All About Barbra that have been sold out for almost 20 years!

Why registering is important Everyone will be notified via email as each magazine is published. To make sure you receive these emails, and other important updates, please make sure you register at www.allaboutbarbra.com

What happened to By The Way? For all the latest news and pictures of Barbra – visit our Blog www.allaboutbarbra. blogspot.com And there you go. This is probably the biggest collector’s issue since issue 1. Print it out to keep. It’s yours. Pass the word on… Thanks for all your marvellous continued support. For helping us to keep Barbra out there! Pictured above are your editiors, Steve and Lynne, pictured with Barbra and Sammie, backstage Manchester in July 2007. Lynne Email: Barbramaguk@aol.com www.Barbramaguk.blogspot.com www.allaboutbarbra.com LYNNE POUNDER: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief STEVEN BAXTER: Associate Editor and Design STAFF WRITERS: Todd Sussman, Larry Olson and Allison J. Waldman SPECIAL THANKS: Martin Erlichman Associates – Marty Erlichman, Sony, Wendy – Universal, Matt Howe, Stephen Thacker, Paul Busa, Richard Giammanco, Sal (BarbraTimeless.com), Michael Roman (SimplyStreisand.com), Martin Silvert, Richard JayAlexander, TheWrap.com, BroadwayWorld.com, Robin Lipman and Viking Press.

Plus a copy of The Village Vanguard DVD signed by Barbra’s close friend and Concert Director, Richard Jay-Alexander! nyone who is serious about their appreciation of Barbra will have heard of my good friend, Allison J. Waldman. Furthermore, it is practically a dead cert you have enjoyed her articles and features about Barbra, published in the many fan forums, web pages, her book The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook and, the magazine All About Barbra. Allison and I have known each other since the magazine’s inception, almost 27 years ago. She has visited with me twice in England and we have enjoyed many a good chin-wag in long distance phone calls. Now, as many of you will know, Allison is battling cancer. Compounding this horrendous experience are her unrelenting and ever escalating medical bills. Put simply, if Allison cannot afford her treatments, they will stop. We know that many of you have graciously donated to Allison’s cause and, by God’s wonderful grace, Allison has gotten by. As always, Allison is very grateful for the generosity that has been shown her. We thought it would be fun to have a competition that could raise funds – and our Grand Prize is a note, handwritten by Barbra. It is a genuine, original and very real. It was sent to me, from London, when Barbra was in the UK filming Yentl. I have donated it here and YOU could win it. In addition, Richard Jay-Alexander (readers will remember reading his Vanguard article in a recent issue) has kindly agreed to sign a copy of The Village Vanguard DVD to add to our prize. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is answer the question below and send it us (via e-mail) with a donation (size of your choice) via Paypal (Paypal addy: Barbramaguk@aol.com) and we will pass on the funds to Allison. This competition is being re-staged as when we ran it previously many of the European fans and almost all of the USA readers did not receive their magazines on time. So, to make it fair the competition is on again! And the question is? Tell us what kind of breed Barbra’s pet doggie, Sammie is. Email your entry with the subject SAMMIE BREED COMPETITION to Barbramaguk@aol.com Note: closing date for all entries is Sunday 9 January, 2011 – the winner will be notified via email early January 2011! (What a way to begin the new year ;)

There. Simples! Good Luck everyone!

Publication in this magazine does not imply endorsement by AB Publications of views expressed. ALL ABOUT BARBRA is an unofficial fan magazine. We do not represent Ms. Streisand nor her management. Ms. Streisand has no financial, promotional or editorial interest in its publication. No part or article may be reprinted without written permission from the publisher.

AB Publications, 17 Adrian Place, Peterlee, Co. Durham SR8 5SR England. All About Barbra

just for the record

Barbra attends Jewish Museum Opening he National Museum of American Jewish History opened its new home— a 100,000square-foot building in the heart of historic Philadelphia – with a Grand Opening Weekend, November 12 – 14, 2010. According to its website, the museum encompasses “25,000 square feet of gallery space on three-anda-half floors, the core exhibition will explore the challenges faced by Jews since their arrival on this continent in 1654, and celebrates their experiences in every facet of American life and throughout every phase of the country’s history.” Jerry Seinfeld and Bette Midler performed at the opening event. One of Barbra’s costumes from Yentl is on display as part of the museum’s exhibition.

All About Barbra

Leading With Your Heart “Heart disease is the number one killer of women in our country, more than all other cancers combined. And today, more women die of heart disease than men. Because of these staggering statistics, I am committed to taking on this epidemic, and I need all of your help.” – Barbra

e all admire Barbra for a myriad of reasons. Now, we have another reason to admire her even more. Barbra is using her position to draw attention to an issue that, until now, has received little attention – women’s heart disease.

“Did you know that heart disease takes the lives of more women than all cancers combined? Can you imagine? I was so surprised when I learned this.” Actually, so were we. You hear of cancer affecting so many people these days. So much so, it has overshadowed this silent killer – heart disease. “The symptoms of a heart attack are often different in women than in men. But for decades, women have been treated for cardiovascular disease based on medical research done on men. How is this possible? Women are different physiologically from men—and we are paying a terrible price for this knowledge gap. Because of these staggering statistics, I am committed to taking on this epidemic, and I need all of your help. I hope to raise $10M dollars (of which I will match up to $5M) for research, treatment and education on women’s heart disease.” This is a fundamental issue that affects almost all of us at some point. My own Mother has heart issues. A friend of mine lost her mother at just 40 due to heart problems that no-one knew about. You can help Barbra’s campaign by donating to this cause. A cause that is very important to Barbra. Use the link here and donate whatever you can, it doesn’t matter… it all helps. Furthermore, you know it will be used for vital research that is sure to benefit future generations to come.

Healthy Heart tips from Barbra ach of us can do something to help our hearts – every day. Step one is a hearthealthy diet. That means eating more things that come from the ground and fewer that walk, fly, swim, or crawl, say the nutritionists at the Women’s Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

Here’s what I’ve learned from them: • Potassium-rich bananas help regulate your blood pressure • Whole grains cut your risk of heart disease • Beans help to lower blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure And here’s a healthy recipe that’s both tasty and easy to make:

EASY LENTIL SALAD

On 1 November, BarbraStreisand.com posted a video message from Barbra talking about the appeal. Then on 9 November, a further PSA was released of Barbra in her Roz Focker costume and wig. Word is that this PSA would actually play before Little Fockers in movie theatres! All About Barbra

Ingredients: • 2 cups cooked lentils • 1/2 cut red onion (minced) • 4 tbsp Italian parsley (minced) • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Combine ingredients and refrigerate. Use as a high fibre side dish/salad. Makes 4 servings. We tried this – lovely. Very tasty.

just for the record

Little Fockers ...and beyond!

his Christmas, Barbra will appear, albeit briefly, on the big screen when Little Fockers is released December 22nd. Barbra reprised her role as the popular Roz Focker, despite the absence of Dustin Hoffman. However, Hoffman eventually agreed to another stint as Bernie – and the Focker family was complete. When test audiences complained that Barbra was not in the movie ‘enough’ and wasn’t funny (what? Who cast Barbra in a comedy and failed to make her funny?!) extra scenes were written especially for her and Barbra returned to the set late September. (Inset above) A behind-the-scenes photograph of Barbra with Colin Baiocchi who plays Henry Focker, son of Gaylord Focker.

All About Barbra

Barbra’s first book, My Passion for Design, has been eagerly awaited by her fans the world over. For this, our first issue, we invited a ‘fan’ to send us their impressions. Robin Lipman stepped up to the mark and we thank her for this mini-review.

MY PASSION FOR DESIGN A FAN’S REVIEW BY ROBIN LIPMAN

Barbra,“I love the way you write!”

WHO NEEDS BARBRA STREISAND? orking with Barbra Streisand is obviously an intense, memorable experience. In this article written by Hello, Dolly! Producer/Screenwriter Ernest Lehman, Lehman comically recalls the Dolly production with a wry, sentimental salute to the perfectionist spirit of Barbra Streisand. His tribute appeared as an ad in the Friar’s Club program for the Woman of The Year Award presented to Barbra in May 1969. As in the tradition of the ‘Roast’ the recipient is ‘kidded’ and ‘teased’ about their life and work. Lehman’s piece is written in that spirit/tradition. Unfortunately, Lehman’s works were taken ‘completely out of context’ in Considine’s notorious, unauthorised biography about Barbra. Ernest Lehman died aged 89 in 2005. We ran piece this in issue 17 and we’re featuring again in the same spirit, that it continues to help set the record straight. It was researched by Allison J. Waldman.

ust when I thought that Barbra Streisand, had done everything possible to prove that she deserves a high distinction, she once again surpasses my greatest expectations and becomes an amazing author!

I picked the book up on the day it was released on my way home from work, I literally could not put it down. Within its beautiful pages are many personal insights from Barbra. Here you will find personal notes to herself (in her own handwriting) and her drawings and sketches. I was totally captivated by every glorious page. Barbra has a wonderful writing style. She writes in such an honest and open way, she draws you in to her thoughts. I enjoyed enjoy learning the many stories about the many, many items that litter her home, and you can tell each piece means a great deal to her. Her homes are exquisite and decorated with her impeccable taste. Each and every room has its own feel to it; warm and beautiful, yet each with its own personality. The depth of Barbra’s intellect is not only impressive but incredibly vast. She delves deep into things that she is passionate about. Needless to say, overall, the entire book is a superb, quality production. It should take pride of place an any book shelf or coffee table. I could go on an on about how much I loved every detail of this “work of genius”. As I said, I literally could not stop reading it! It left this reader quite breathless. I’ll be anxiously awaiting Volume Two! My Passion for Design is available in the USA/Canada right now. It is due for release in Europe November 25, 2010.

Is that really Barbra on Facebook & Twitter? hat next for Barbra and the big screen? After much speculation about A Mother’s Curse, a road trip movie in which a Mother joins her son for a cross country trip, all has gone quiet. More recently, Barbra asked her fans, via Facebook, to vote on her next project, a movie, a CD or a tour, as she couldn’t decide. Many fans were doubtful if the vote idea actually came from Barbra, but it did. Rest assured that all things posted on Barbra’s Twitter and her official Facebook DO come from Barbra and her office. Do let us know what you think of Little Fockers…

For all the latest news as it happens watch our Blog allaboutbarbra.blogspot.com

WHO NEEDS HER? By Ernest Lehman

he’s always making a POINT, and too often she’s RIGHT, dammit. And she makes a point by poking you in the ribs with that long, tapering index finger of hers and it hurts. But then everyday, you find yourself waiting for her to make MORE points, because you begin to like being touched by her. This is SHOW business?

I mean, did you ever eat dinner with her (or lunch, or a nosh?) and have her start eating food off your plate? It’s YOUR dinner and you’re hungry and she’s eating the food right out from under your mouth. What kind of behaviour is this? And then one day, she doesn’t eat off your plate and you get depressed. It’s ridiculous! To her, midnight isn’t too late to phone the screenwriter and discuss line changes. If he happens to be the PRODUCER TOO, even one o’clock in the morning is all right. But talk to him for an HOUR….TWO hours just to make a few scenes BETTER? … Just to make the WHOLE PICTURE better? What kind of nonsense is that? Glancing at the time every few minutes, watching the telephone all night, and sometimes it doesn't ring. Who needs THAT? “Why do you always stare at me?” she says. “I don’t know, I can’t help it.” “Well stop it.” “Then stop looking the way you do.” Who needs a reputation as a voyeur? I ask her if he likes some work I’ve done, or SHE’S done. If she likes it, she says yes. If she doesn’t like it she says no. This is HOLLYWOOD. Who does she think she is? From MARS? All About Barbra

“Do you mind coming into the studio this Saturday,” I ask. “We’ve GOTTA to get this dubbing done.” “Saturday?” “Yeah.” A shrug, “OKAY.” There goes my day at the beach. No consideration. “I’ll run the rough cut for you Monday night. We’ll have dinner in the projection room. Anything you want from Chasen’s, The Bistro or Perino’s? “Could I have a hamburger, fries and a coke?” Some superstar. Okay, so she sings like a dream, short circuits the screen with high voltage brilliance, makes you laugh and cry and ache for more. She always wants to be good, and good is never good enough for her, and she’ll stay up until four in the morning figuring out how to make it better while she’s doing her nails and eating too much chocolate ice cream. But who needs all that passion for excellence? Who needs thrills? Who needs fun? Who needs memorable experiences? I mean, after all, it’s only a MOVIE. WHO NEEDS BARBRA STREISAND?

SPECIAL PICTORIAL

The Prince of Tides

(Left) On location in Beaufort, Summer 1990

On location in New York

ased on Pat Conroy’s best-seller (of the same title) Barbra fell in love with the novel and felt driven to bring it to the big screen, a feat she achieved in style as the movie’s producer, director and leading lady. The film follows the struggles of football coach Tom Wingo to overcome the tragedies of his past. When his sister attempts suicide, he meets with her psychiatrist, Susan Lowenstein, to help her piece together his sister’s memories – but ends up revisiting his own past traumas, and falling in love with Lowenstein in the process.

Set in Beaufort, South Carolina, Barbra captured the beauty and character of the story’s location. Although not originally planning to film there, Barbra decided to check out Beaufort during location scouting because Pat Some fun facts you may Conroy had grown up there and it was the original setting for the book. After spending a or not know about night at the Rhett House Inn, she and her The Prince of Tides cinematographer fell in love with Beaufort. Barbra’s directing and use of the camera is a very • Barbra, as well as co-star Blythe natural part of her story telling and vision. The Danner and her daughter Gwyneth camera is never intrusive, the story unfolds easily Paltrow, very much enjoyed the ice before the lens and scenes move smoothly. It cream at Plums on Bay Street in cruises along on a beautiful score written by James downtown Beaufort. Newton Howard. • Nick Nolte was coached on his Again, Barbra wore more than one hat, each Southern accent by Wayne Zurenda, heavy with its set of demands and responsibilities. an English instructor at the Technical In these instances, Barbra’s concerns and attention College of the Lowcountry. Wayne lie primarily with her actors, their needs, their spoke of his experience ... “I was Nick concerns and performances. Next there is the Nolte’s Dialect Coach for The Prince of production itself and the demands placed on a Tides from May to August of 1990. I director. Lastly, Barbra has to act. Usually her also worked with Kate Nelligan, Brad scenes are filmed last, towards the end of a long Sullivan, and several of the children on day. All things considered her performance in The their southern accents during the Prince of Tides is superb. Towards the end, as she filming. Nick took me around to Barbra leaves her office, she spots Tom waiting across the street. She’s happy to see him –but her smile Streisand’s house one Saturday because quickly fades. It’s all too apparent Tom has bad she wanted to meet me, since I was then news. News she been dreading. News she doesn’t one of her employees on the set. During want to hear. Barbra’s expression, the conversation I told her The Shag was her emotional response as they SC’s Official State Dance. SHE ASKED cling to each other on the sidewalk ME TO DEMONSTRATE IT FOR is excellent. I like this movie a lot HER! It’s a funny story. It was a summer and have great admiration for her I shall never forget.” work on it. • Barbra rented the home of Dr. “…so many awards Gene and Beth Grace, located in downtown Beaufort, during the on the shelf. Did this filming. A privacy fence was erected movie direct itself?!” and Streisand made a few personal It is largely due to Barbra that touches to the house, such as adding two of Tides principle actors (Nick bathroom carpeting. Nolte and Kate Nelligan) garnered • While in Beaufort, Nick Nolte Oscar nominations. Both are wonderful actors, and through bought a bicycle to lose the weight Barbra’s directing, her abilities to he had gained for the filming of tap into strengths, and eye for Another 48 Hours. He would detail, these characters leapt from sometimes bike from downtown from screen. Nolte was simply Beaufort to the Steamer Restaurant, amazing. The movie itself scored where he enjoyed eating. a Best Picture nomination. (The nomination was for Producers Barbra Streisand and Andrew Karsch.) Notably, Barbra was absent from the Best Director list. Again. This type of snub weakens the whole purpose of ‘Oscar’ to me, but there you have it. It’s not the first time Oscar has drawn more attention to who isn’t nominated or who lost to who (remember Judy Garland losing to Grace Kelly?), than to who actually won and likely it won’t be the last. However, such was the impact of Barbra’s ‘obvious’ omission, many star-presenters sniped at the glaring error. Billy Crystal’s trademark song set the trend for the evening, and snipe after snipe followed in Barbra’s favour. Barbra was in attendance in support of her work, her movie and the nominated actors she directed. Ultimately, she rose above it. Her time will come. I’m sure Barbra will direct again one day. She will take her place behind the camera, not before it for once, and the result will not be so easily ignored. LP

With Director of Photography Stephen Goldblatt

Remembering...

The Way We Were

Katie Morosky Gardner: Your girl is lovely, Hubbell

All About Barbra

Katie Morosky Gardner: You’ll never find anyone as good for you as I am, to believe in you as much as I do or love you as much! Hubbell Gardner: I know that. Katie Morosky Gardner: Well then, why?

Hubbell Gardner: You hold on and I don't know how. And I wish I did. Maybe you were born committed... I can’t get negative enough. I can’t get angry enough. And I can’t get positive enough.

Hubbell Gardner: When you love someone, from Roosevelt to me, you go deaf, dumb and blind.

All About Barbra

Dennis Berno was a wonderful friend of All About Barbra. Sadly, he passed away in 2007. However, he sent this article written by Richard Giammanco for BARBRAbilia in 1996 in to our Graphics Editor, Steve, in hopes it would appear in the magazine one day. That day has come. It is our pleasure to be able to include this, Dennis’ wonderful account of his experience at the filming of A Star Is Born in March 1976 during the huge, live outdoor concerts at the Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona. Thanks Dennis – we miss you.

In Concert for A Star Is Born arner Bros was very anxious to have Barbra Streisand’s A Star Is Born in their 1976 release schedule. What they were not anxious about, was having the concert segments for the movie filmed live. They tried to convince Barbra and Jon Peters to use stock footage from Woodstock and the Isle of Wight. But Barbra and Jon felt it necessary for the film to contain concerts that were actually filmed for the movie. Warner Bros, reluctantly agreeed but on one condition. They requested Barbra and Jon to put together a 3 day press junket which would culminate on March 20,1976 with the live rock concert Peters was planning. Jon Peters started organizing the event in late January. The concept was to create an event that upwards of 40,000 rock fans might attend, with Barbra, Kris, and the filming drawing willing concert goers at a ticket price of $3.50. Would that many people attend? Peters decided if the concert was to be a huge success and a media event, he would have to bring in a variety of big name rock and roll entertainment. He turned to veteran rock producer Bill Graham. Graham started to organize the event. He hired Santana, Montrose, Graham Central Station, and the L.A. Jets. The headliners, The Doobie Brothers, bowed out, so Peter Frampton was brought in.

Streisand mega fan, Dennis Berno, began to hear the rumors in January of 1976. When word trickles out that Streisand might sing live, people begin to talk. Knowing he just had to be there, his wheels started spinning. “First, I’ll contact Warner Bros. They’re making the film. “Jon Peters office, please.” The voice that answered the phone belonged to Jane Jenkins, Peters’ personal assistant. (Jane was then currently one of the biggest casting agents in Hollywood.) She was very nice, but informed him, if he was calling regarding the A Star Is Born concert schedule, he’d have to call her at a later date. Dennis did just that. He got back to her, time and time again, and also sent her gifts to remind her, lest she forget, that he was very interested in attending the concerts. Finally his persistence paid off. Jane advised Dennis to send his money for the tickets to Arizona State University in Phoenix The price was an amazing $3.50 per ticket. He sent his money off right away, and when the tickets arrived it seemed to him a miracle. Saturday, March 20, 1976. Festival seating. Concert goers were urged to arrive early. Dennis took his cousin Vicki, and a friend from Washington, Rick Sakota. Dennis and Vicki arrived in Arizona late Thursday evening, March 18th. On the way from the airport to the Holiday Inn, they passed Sun Devil Stadium. Although it was quite late, the stadium was all aglow. A lot of security people could also be seen. From their hotel room balcony, they could hear music coming from the stadium but they did not hear Barbra. So marked their arrival in Phoenix. Members of the press who stayed at the Hyatt Regency, were treated a little differently upon their arrival. Awaiting in their hotel rooms was a large basket of fruit, a record album (Classical Barbra), a production t-shirt, and the concert poster. Along with the aforementioned, was a schedule of events and a personal letter from Jon Peters. Friday - March 19, 1976 Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters arrived at the venue around 4:30am. Dennis and Vicki arrived bright and early also. Through a rear entrance, a convenient open gate led them to a backstage area and all the action. Crews were preparing to begin filming. Looking far in the distance, they saw some trailers, and then for one brief fleeting moment, Barbra Streisand. She was receiving a dozen roses from someone. She thanked them and then returned to her trailer. She was too far in the distance for Dennis to make out any clearer details. Even so, Dennis was elated to have spotted her. The day could only get better… The rest is set to appear in our next online edition!

Copycats

Todd’s Corner All the news... All the clips... All the Barbras Did anyone ever tell you that you were very, very sexy? If you’re Barbra, they always will... with compliments, photo tributes, and a variety of ways to achieve the look. Plus: DVDs, magazines and collectibles for the completists.

BY TODD SUSSMAN

ennifer Aniston isn’t the first artist to feel the sweet inspiration and follow where Barbra leads. In 1965, musical satirist Allan Sherman released his My Name Is Allan LP, with a black & white childhood photo gracing the cover, just like the My Name Is Barbra LP released earlier that year. Sherman even used the same font on his cover. In 1979, Paul Jabara (who co-penned “The Main Event/Fight” and “No More Tears”) released his LP, The Third Album, with his cover photo in the upper right quadrant (a la Barbra) and, again, the same lettering as Barbra’s 1964 same-titled LP. The omnipresent Scavullo photo of Barbra and Kris Kristofferson passionately embracing to advertise A Star Is Born (including LP cover and movie poster) inspired a skit on The Carol Burnett Show. In the skit, Carol and guest star Glen Campbell duplicate the pose but with one hitch: they are literally glued together and cannot separate (original airdate, January 15, 1977). The iconic Scavullo shot continued to inspire, even a year later, when the one-sheet poster for Joan Rivers’ 1978 directorial debut, Rabbit Test, featured four movie poster parodies. The one called A Hare Is Born lampooned Barbra and Kris’ pose, with Joan (in Streisand mode) locking lips with a large rabbit (in the Kristofferson role).

The cover girl as funny girl

C’est Si Bones

he’s got legs, man. She’s got a cute butt.” Jennifer Aniston has some very nice things to say about Barbra in the September 2010 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. In an 8-page layout, she also strikes poses inspired by iconic Barbra images. The new photographs, taken by Mark Seliger, include Jennifer channeling Barbra singing “My Man,” a Funny Girl costume fitting shot, two What’s Up, Doc? looks, and the Funny Lady “How Lucky Can You Get” scene, complete with backless gown. Amazingly, Barbra’s trendsetting looks from decades past are still fashionable today. They also cost a pretty penny. For example, a dress by Giambattista Valli carries a price tag of $13,500. In the accompanying piece, Jennifer sings Streisand’s praises, “Barbra inspires me because there isn’t anything she hasn’t done that she wanted to do.” Interestingly, her favorite Barbra films, The Way We Were and A Star Is Born, are not featured in the layout. When Barbra heard Jennifer would be emulating her, she called Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey and told her, “I was very flattered that Jennifer chose to do this photo tribute to me. I can’t wait to see it.” The newsstand and subscription covers Upon seeing the results, Barbra posted additional comments on barbrastreisand.com: “I was very flattered that Jennifer Aniston chose to interpret my style with the photos in Harper’s Bazaar. She’s a delightful person, and I think she did a wonderful job. If only she had a bump on her nose.” In the U.S., this issue was printed with three different covers: a color cover with Jennifer as herself (released to newsstands), a black & white cover with Jennifer as Barbra circa 1960s (for subscribers), and a special newsstand collector’s edition (of the same ‘60s photo) in black and shiny gold. Following the first page in all three versions, there’s an alternate Jennifer-as-Barbra color cover. It’s very ‘70s with the long blonde hair. She looks fantastic. And none of us will ever forget the real thing, Barbra’s baby blues staring out at us on her two Bazaar covers, November 1972 and November 1983.

t’s always fun to spot a Barbra LP cover in a movie. You can do just that by watching The Lovely Bones, now on Blu-ray and DVD. After developing the last roll of film his daughter shot before her untimely demise, Jack Salmon (Mark Wahlberg) exits a shopping mall’s photo store and looks through the pictures. We the audience then see an adjacent record store. In the record bin (screen right, approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes into the film), the top half of Je M’appelle Barbra peers out at us. The set decorators paid close attention to detail. This scene is set in the early 70s, and Je M’appelle (released in 1966) would have easily been a record store staple back then. In a much earlier scene (approximately 8 minutes into the film) set in the same record store, look closely and you’ll see Je M’appelle Barbra there, too. Exclusive to the 2-disc special edition Blu-ray edition of The Lovely Bones, the special features include an immersive making-of diary. Click on “USA Principal Photography” and at approximately 1:22 on your Blu-ray counter, you’ll see Je M’appelle Barbra again. In the final version of the film, the name of the record store cannot be seen. However, in the featurette, the sign for Top Tunes Records appears clearly in the frame.

“

All About Barbra

The key to my heart hanks to the kind soul who gifted me with the Barbra Streisand room key given to guests at the Beverly Hilton. They were specially created for the Streisand/Julien’s live auction on October 17 and 18, 2009. This credit card-like key features the same color close-up of Barbra used for the auction’s catalog and promotional posters. It’s true... Barbra continues to open doors in Hollywood.

It started over coffee igns and souvenirs of September 26, 2009 populate the main menu of Barbra’s One Night Only Blu-ray and DVD. They’re all there: the date, the Village Vanguard occupancy sign, the “Make Someone Happy” sheet music, and finally, the blue and white coffee cup adorned with Greek columns and the slogan, “It’s a pleasure to serve you.” Barbra raises the cup as a toast early in her first number, “Here’s To Life,” and then again when she exclaims “L’chiam” to end the song. Indeed, that simple cardboard cup appears throughout the show. What a clever touch that the DVD ends with the fan who reveals, “I have to admit, I did steal the cup.” As a footnote, on April 25, 2010, shortly before the May 4th Blu-ray and DVD release of One Night Only, Leslie Buck, the cup’s creator, passed away at age 87. His obit stated the cup became an iconic symbol of New York, “right up there along with the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.” Since its creation in 1963, it has been a staple at diners, delis, bodegas, and perhaps at early Barbra shows before she favored fancy china tea sets for sips between songs.

A nose with deviation n Rhoda (Season 3, Disc 4), now out on DVD, in the episode titled “Nose Job,” Brenda (Julie Kavner) considers surgically changing her nose to make herself more attractive. In her consultation with the doctor (guest star David Ogden Stiers), they have this exchange: Dr. Dreiser: “So tell me, who’s your favorite actress?” Brenda: “Huh?” Dr. Dreiser: “Who’s your favorite actress? See, most people want to look like their favorite actor or actress. You know, Kirk Douglas’ chin. Cher’s cheek bones. So whose nose do you want? Who’s your favorite actress?” Brenda: “Ah, Barbra Streisand.” Dr. Dreiser: “I, uh, I fix ‘em. I don’t break ‘em.”

Joking aside, this episode originally aired on February 20, 1977, when A Star Is Born was whitehot in theaters and many admirers strived to imitate Barbra’s look.

With all the trimmings he Here’s Lucy Season 3 DVD set contains a special feature on “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (original airdate, September 14, 1970), the highest rated episode of the entire series. That’s the one where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton guest-star as themselves. In the featurette, “Lucy Meets the Burtons: A Comic Gem,” Production Executive Howard Rayfiel recalls the perks lavished on the Burtons for their appearance. One memorable fringe benefit was Liz’s dressing room. Says Rayfiel, “The dressing room that we had for Elizabeth was the most spectacular dressing room you could find. It had been built for Barbra Streisand when she did On A Clear Day for Paramount, and you were not allowed to use the name Barbra Streisand in the presence of Elizabeth Taylor. This is part of the craziness of Hollywood.” Hmmm.

I’m all smiles ere’s a rare backstage photograph of two true legends, Barbra and Lena Horne. Barbra is positively glowing as she visits with Lena after a performance of Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music in 1981. Ms. Horne, who passed away on May 9, 2010 at the age of 92, won a special Tony for the show. David LeShay, then a press assistant, snapped the photo.

Deep in the night he remastered Deep Throat DVD – yes, you read that correctly – contains an extra feature sure to please those Barbra fans who love to revisit her movie locations. In the featurette, “The Days of Deep Throat and Linda Lovelace,” vintage footage of Times Square in the early ‘70s is shown. The camera pans a row of porno theaters, one of them sporting this sign: BARBRA STREISAND’S NEW MOVIE FILMED HERE. This obviously refers to The Owl and the Pussycat, and the porn theater is the setting for the movie within that movie, Cycle Sluts. The sign, which also exclaims MIDNIGHT COWBOY FILMED HERE, can be seen during the opening credits of the featurette as well as approximately 7 minutes in. Streisand completists may buy this DVD for the Barbra sign, but they should not ignore Linda Lovelace’s acting technique.

All About Barbra

Sister, you’ve been on my mind or a rare Roslyn Kind cover story, see the March 2010 issue of Cabaret Scenes. The article is aptly titled “The Family Gene” and mentions the inevitable comparisons to Barbra. Though Roz strived to establish her own identity as a performer, she says, “There were certain things that are familial that are never going to die in me. I remember people telling me that I sound like her and move like her. Do they think I stare at her and watch her move? This is genetic. I go on a stage wanting to be me. She is indelible in people’s minds and a legend – and if I have a hint of that familial gene, I’m not going to erase it. That would be denying who I am.” A black & white photo of Roz with Barbra, Jason, and Mom Diana (from The Prince of Tides Los Angeles premiere, 1991) is included.

Write to Todd Sussman at toddaos@aol.com

BARBRA ON THE WEB! BY LYNNE POUNDER

arbraStreisand.com is, as you no doubt know, Barbra’s ‘official’ webpage. However, fans have put their web abilities to use and created some excellent web pages. These web pages tell us all we need to know about Barbra, provide a constant stream of updates and news that keep us informed what she is doing, where she has been and even what she’s been saying – all within reason, of course. They also provide great places for fans to meet. Chat rooms and community posting boards have enabled fans from every country to meet other like-minded admirers in a virtual arena. Distance, even time, is of no importance. This virtual community, if all gels well, is a like having a set of special friends, different from those we know through school, college or work. What is nice, is that most of the time these boards do run smoothly. Everyone respects one another’s opinion, even when they criticise Barbra, her projects, even her politics. People get to know one another. On occasion they meet and some find that special someone and marry!

back home. I kept the site going and developed it as time progressed. My central objective with BarbraTimeless is to offer assorted features about Barbra’s career - primarily from my own perspective as a fan. I wanted to do something a little bit different than what some of the other excellent web sites were offering. BarbraTimeless celebrated 10 years on-line this past March, and I’ve been delighted at the positive feedback that’s come my way throughout the years.” It has been a while since Sal and I had been in touch, and recently we reconnected. He wrote a wonderful piece about the magazine for his site. There is a link for his site on our Blog, but you can also go there directly, www.BarbraTimeless.com. There you will find a vast amount of great articles and information. The site is well designed and easy to navigate. Staying true to his aims, it comes from a ‘fan’s’ point of view; thus it is a little different in its own way. Definitely worth a look and should be bookmarked.

We thought in this, the final printed issue of the magazine, we would turn our attention to those who, driven by their admiration for Barbra, put themselves out and create and maintain these web sites.

Barbra-archives.com

ikely one of the best web sites and ‘go to’ places, on the web. Created and maintained by Matt Howes, Barbra-archives does exactly as it says – provides a wonderful treasure trove of Barbra information. It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned fan or brand new, once you begin clicking and reading on this site …you can’t stop. Each section contains links that lead you to one informative feature after another. If you are a new fan, Barbra-archives is an excellent place to start. What took the likes of us years to accumulate and learn, new fans can now glean in a week! Matt is a long time friend of All About Barbra and from time to time his deep vault of timeless pictures and articles have provided and aided some great features in the magazine. Matt himself is a contributor. He tirelessly promotes each new issue and has helped us introduce the magazine to many new fans before we took our first steps onto this world-wide-web. This web site should be in your bookmarks and checked daily as Matt’s sources keep him well informed as to what is happening in Barbra-land!

Barbratimeless.com

his is run by an old friend of mine named Sal. A dedicated fan, he is celebrating a successful 10 years of publishing his web page. I asked Sal about his site. “BarbraTimeless began when I was in Australia for “Timeless” back in 2000. It started as an informal Blog where I shared my concert experiences for friends

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SimplyStreisand.com

BarbraStreisand.com

reated and run by Michael Roman, this is one of the best virtual communities out there. Michael runs a tight ship and the board is well policed. Fans visit this board to share and enjoy daily Barbra information, whether it happened that day or ten years ago. There are several forums to visit, a gallery forum, video forum and another named ‘Where is it written’ where you can find rare/interesting articles and interviews fans have posted. Ever expanding, Michael tells us he is currently working on the site and will be providing additional pages. In addition to this, he, with Allison (Waldman) has created a real interesting site titled Simply Showbiz.com. Here all things showbiz grace the site. If you are passionate about showbiz, movies, TV Shows, Theatre etc., then SimplyShowbiz is the place for you. Likewise, if you would like to contribute editorial to the site, then Michael would like to hear from you. He can be easily reached at SimplyStriesand.com. SimplyStreisand recently became a friend of All About Barbra. While I knew of the site, I rarely visited. Unfortunately, as it sometimes happens in the fandom world, I had been told some unsavoury things about Michael and his site. However, when Allison told me how Michael had come to her aid, without her asking, and helped her with the Nothing’s Impossible project, I decided to contact Michael and try to get to know him for myself. He encouraged me to join the SimplyStreisand community; we’re in touch often and the forum is a great gathering of fans. If you have never posted before but have been considering it, visit SimplyStreisand.

arbra’s official web page has by and large disappointed some fans. Although it does offer official information and news, often it appears at BarbraStreisand.com long after fan-run sites have announced everything. Barbra does present much of her political rhetoric here, but, while interesting, it is mainly applicable to the US audience. I suspect much of the curtailing here is derived from copyright issues and the like. Fans posting pictures with GETTY IMAGES slapped on them while naff to look at, do tend to ‘get away with it.’ However, in order for anything to be published on an ‘Official’ board, it must be cleared (and likely paid for). When Barbra is snapped out and about, she doesn’t own the rights to the pictures (even at events like the Oscars and Grammys etc). Regarding news and information, fans can speculate on rumour, it may come good, it may not, but with fan sites that’s OK. However ‘Rumours that Barbra may Tour next year’ would look a little outta whack on Barbra’s site. (Imagine, you meet Barbra and she says, “It’s rumoured I may tour this year.” You say, “Really? That would be great!” And she responds, “Uh, huh. It’s just a rumour though.”). Like other web pages, it too offers a posting board and again it is a strict, wellpoliced virtual community. When you post, it is first vetted then approved. There are games and interesting information bites. However, if you want to learn anything substantial about Barbra, visit a fan site.

BarbraNews.com his Blog present news about Barbra (hence the title) as well as a forum where many fans meet and post. Again, I find the fans that post here are a friendly bunch. The like to share news and pictures and love to debate Barbra’s movies, music and even her politics. If you have just come to Barbra you can learn a lot about Barbra’s recent tour here. Other forums offer varied discussions as well as a video section and photo forum. Again, we advise anyone considering joining the virtual community to read a few threads. Lurk a while, get a feel and sense of the opinions and the people there then join in – it really can be fun!

Allaboutbarbra.blogspot.com s! Yes, we finally have a Blog. It came about due to sheer boredom actually. Recovering from carpel tunnel (wrist) surgery, I was going insane while off work and being stuck inside most of the time. I stumbled on Blogger, clicked here and there, and after adding some news and a newly released Focker picture, I realised it was fun! Pages were added (Movies, TV Specials, a Gallery etc. etc.) and we have a mighty packed blog! Thanks for all your emails and support of the blog, which enjoyed almost 10,000 hits in its first two months alone. The Blog will be the place for ‘current’ news, although we may include a brief roundup of happenings in the ‘online’ magazine.

verall, you likely will have noticed a thread developing – everyone behind each web endeavour, be it a Blog or a web site, have helped one another. This is something I have found very refreshing and encouraging. I believe, ultimately, the winners are the fans and Barbra. The fans have a place to go and read about Barbra. Great features and opinions often written and presented by fans. Fans who try to find and present the truth. Fans who exercise wise discernment when considering rumours, hearsay and obvious rubbish to present. It’s a popular alternative to the press and the mis-quotes, mean-spirited and often baseless reporting. We know from feedback here at the magazine fans everywhere appreciate this. Barbra wins. These web pages are out there, promoting her, presenting that alternative and make no mistake, she appreciates these efforts enormously. My personal attitude is, if any of the web pages have news we don’t have – we can either get the news for ourselves or simply post a link that directs fans to the news (especially when it’s fun!). I don’t care for being competitive, being first or being number one. And, I believe everyone else thinks likewise. It really is a lot more fun! We at the magazine are grateful to those who have happily wrote about and featured the magazine as each new issue has appeared – thanks to you all. I hope the harmony lives on!

Bjsmusicguide.com

his was one of the very first web pages to pop up devoted to Barbra. Our friend, Mark Iskowitz, did a remarkable job of cataloguing and maintaining his site. Each facet of Barbra’s career was represented here, with live streaming of some of her recordings. Again, Mark, like others readily helped and promoted the magazine on his site and at one point it was definitely the ‘go to’ place for all things Barbra! Recently, Mark decided, much to many fans’ disappointment, to cull his site and semi-retire from web based fandom. With his blessings, much of his catalogue has been adopted by Barbra-archives. BjsMusic.com still maintains a site on the web and is worth visiting.

All About Barbra

I Remember...

We thought it would be nice to set away one or two new columns for the online issues of the magazine. In this feature, I Remember, we will take the opportunity to revisit those events we reported on many years ago. We begin with...

The 1984 Scopus Awards arbra Streisand was honoured on December 3, 1984 with the Scopus Award of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at the 15th Annual Scopus Award Gala. It was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Mistress of ceremo-nies was actress, Shirley MacLaine. The evening’s entertainment was provided by Barbra’s friend, singer Neil Diamond.

“The black-tie gala raised $1.5 million in scholarships for students at the Hebrew University in honour of Emanuel Streisand, Barbra’s father. He was a scholar and a teacher who died when Barbra was 15 months old. She said, ‘I know he’s here tonight. I think he’s very proud.’ The recipients are to be known as Emanuel Streisand Scholars. Barbra was honoured for her excellence in her profession and for devotion to the Jewish education, said Abraham Harman, Chancellor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He hosted Barbra in Jerusalem last spring, when she dedicated the Emanuel Streisand Centre for Jewish Studies on the Mount Scopus Campus of Hebrew University. Among previous recipients of the Award are First Lady Nancy Reagan, Frank and Barbara Sinatra, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Dinah Shore, and President Gerald Ford and Mrs Betty Ford. Barbra entered the packed (1,500 people) room to the musical strains of Evergreen, and to the applause of many of Hollywood’s finest. Guests included George Burns, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, Gregory and Veronique Peck, and Danny and Rosemarie Thomas. Co-chairman Vidal Sassoon had one of the evening’s funniest lines. He made ma-ny references to Barbra’s film Yentl as ‘Yenta’ only to be corrected by Barbra herself. He quipped, ‘Yentl, Yenta what’s the difference? I once made reference to Cedar’s Sinai, as Caesar’s Sinai!’ Barbra looked radiant in a low-cut, gold gown, similar to one she wore in Hello, Dolly! She had a matching gold and silver choker. She was escorted by, then, current boyfriend, composer Richard Baskin, and they exchanged many private jokes du-ring the festivities. Barbra’s mother was with her as she entered the pre-dinner photo session. Then Barbra, together with Israeli Ambas-sador Simcha Dinitz, Shirley MacLaine and Neil Diamond posed with the Scopus Award. She said of receiving this honour, ‘It was like the Bat Mitzvah I never had! Neil Diamond performed many of his songs from The Jazz Singer as well as hits from the 1960’s like Cherry, Cherry and Play Me. He commented on being very honoured to sing for Barbra because he joked, ‘Who else would sing for you, Barbra? Not Barry Manilow!’ He finished with You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Neil and Barbra’s 1978 hit, and a guitar-accompanied Hava Nagila. As Barbra spoke of the members of the dais, she thanked Neil and said, ‘Many people think that You Don’t Bring Me Flowers was the first time that Neil and I sang together, but they’re wrong. It was in the chorus of Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, when he was 16, and I was 15.’ After Barbra received her Award, the audience was treated to a film retrospect of Golda Meir and Barbra from the Salute to Israel’s 30th Birthday special from 1978. We watched on TV monitors posted around the large room, as Barbra sang Happy Days Are Here Again. We also relived Barbra’s charming interview with the late Golda Meir. Many in the room were moved by its warmth. It was a very special evening for Barbra Streisand. She thanked everyone for their kind donations in helping make her dream become a reality. She also thanked her close friends by joking, ‘You’ll be happy to know that this is the last fund-raiser honouring me for a while! Shalom.’ All About Barbra

All About Barbra

MY PASSION FOR DESIGN BY BARBRA STREISAND BOOK REVIEW BY LARRY OLSON avish” and “opulent” are words that describe both Barbra Streisand’s new book, and her accomplished and impressive design talent. “My Passion for Design,” published by Viking, a member of the Penguin Group, is a lavish 296-page tourde-force of publishing, with opulent design and printing throughout. And the subject of the book, Barbra’s Malibu homes, reveals her astonishing design talent and extraordinary attention to detail.

“

Designed by Doug Turshen (with Steve Turner), the book is indeed lavish, with hundred of sumptuous color photographs by Barbra herself, chapter divider pages in a color that coordinates with the siding of the new barn house, section headings in the same matching redish-burgundy color, two full-color fold outs of the front and back of the barn, front and end pages of Barbra’s sketches and notes, and extensive text and photo captions written by Barbra. In six sections, the book begins with an Introduction where Barbra talks about following the natural light of the day, her passion for color, how she acquired her eye for art and design, a summary of all the homes she’s lived in throughout her life, and a recap of her collecting habits throughout the years. She recounts that she’s always had a fascination with barns and with early American architecture and antiques, which inspired the elegance of the set for her 1994 Tour. “And then somehow that vision of 18th-century elegance merged with the barn idea,” she says. “How do I put these opposing elements together?” she asks. “I didn’t know yet how they would go together, but instinctively I knew they could.” The chapter “An Elegant Barn” starts with her “chicken coup” and tells the story of how she acquired the three pieces of property that comprise her current Malibu compound. The text provides extravagant detail of her research and how she designs. Photos document the digging of the basement, framing of the rooms, construction at various stages—and then the finished exteriors. A hooked-rug bought in 1989, picturing a mill house and waterwheel, served as the inspiration for the Mill House, the third chapter of the book. The Mill House features a 4,000-pound watermill, storm cellar and design room. Nearby, Barbra designed and supervised the building of a pond, streams, bridges, a lap pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, a rose garden, and a vegetable garden. Nothing is left to chance. The meandering driveway, that looks as if it has been there for years, is actually a cement sub-structure, covered with stone and grass to give the appropriate used-path look. The vegetable garden was moved away from the rose garden so the rose sprays wouldn’t intrude on the organic nature of the vegetables. The height of the stream rocks were placed precisely to enable the water to flow naturally toward the ocean and give the natural sound of a babbling brook. Cement steps on a “lovely grass-covered hill” needed to be replaced by natural-looking stone steps. Trees were planted with attention to their location, size, spread of the leaves and their effects on the overall composition. Multiple pages cover Barbra’s love of roses and

of her extensive flower and vegetable gardens. The largest chapter of the extravagant book details the interior of “The Barn,” which Barbra notes she does not live in. The two-story woodcovered Great Room is a smashing entrance to the building. It features a wrap-around balcony, curved struts in the rafters (“I thought it would be more interesting if they were curved”), random-sized floorboards and a blend of rough-hewn beams and smoothcrafted wainscoting and balusters. “It’s the blend that always fascinates me—the crude and the elegant.” A huge library table made in France doubles as a dining room table. Next door is the Screening Room, with furnishings all in a watery blue color, where the cover photos of both the book and the “Love is the Answer” album were shot. “I prefer monochromatic rooms,” she explains, but notes what appears to be all the same color actually has subtle difference in tone and texture. A 17-foot movie screen descends from the ceiling at the touch of a button. Barbra recounts the story when she discovered the two center beams were misplaced by an inch and a half to two inches so after an argument with the contractor the beams had to be relocated. A silo in the center of the structure houses the spiral staircase connecting all floors with a nautilus shell staircase that “culminates in the eight points of light from the chandelier, which echo the eight rafters on the ceiling.” The main floor also houses the jaw-dropping “Federal Lounge,” the Mackintosh Hall, the impressive Greene & Greene Library, a kitchen, a Napping Room, and a gorgeous “Stickley Office.” The interior design of the entire All About Barbra

building brings to mind the word “opulent.” Every room reflects complete attention to design principles of color, cohesion, beauty, tension, contrast and harmony—balancing those opposites that Barbra writes about. Other words assessing the designs are exquisite, extraordinary, and astonishing. Upstairs, the Master Suite includes a customsized, one-of-a-kind four-poster bed made in London specifically to Barbra’s specifications, a dressing room with custom-etched glass doors, an octagonal shaped bathroom, a storage room and on the opposite end, a gym and loft. The basement is filled with a street of shops, including Bee’s Doll Shop (with her collection of dolls and doll houses), the Sweet Shop, the Gift Shoppe, the Root Cellar, the Antique Clothes Shop (including many of her movie costumes), the Georgian Display Room (for her collection of china and crystal), and the Art Nouveau Rooms. Chapter Four covers “Grandma’s House,” an informal California ranch-style house, which she bought in 1994 and redecorated to resemble a cottage on Cape Cod. Homespun quilts, lace curtains and natural fabrics dominate. Portions of many of her recent albums have been recorded here. The final chapter is “The Main House,” which clearly shows Barbra’s love of American furnishings, design and art. “I love this house dearly,” Barbra writes, “I love it, I love it.” In the photo of the front door, Barbra’s beloved dog “Sammy” stands by Barbra (Sammy frequently appears in photos, on Barbra’s bed, laying on a Duncan Phyfe sofa, standing at the double front gate of the property or watching whatever is pictured). This formally designed home features paintings by John Singer Sargent, Thomas Hart Benton, Mary Cassat, Charles Peale Polk, Robert Henri, William Paxton, as well as other American artists. “The palette in the foyer was inspired by the American flag,” Barbra writes. The Living Room was designed around two throw pillows she bought 30-some years ago. The elegant burgundy and cherry-colored Dining Room features her collection of antique cranberry glass. The Den includes a subtle olive green paneling, with gold highlights on the “classic fluted lines of a Corinthian Pilaster.” Bookshelves house many of Barbra’s awards. Warm wheat-colored chenille dominates the Family Room. Barbra notes her bedroom is “the color of vanilla ice cream … a soft ivory white” which gives the room a sense of quiet and serenity. Barbra’s sitting room features two desks, books, comfy chairs, end tables, a settee and glass-covered shelves. Family photos fill every table. “This is where I really live,” she writes. Barbra says, “My whole life, in a sense, has been a search for beauty.” “I long for beauty and things you can count on,” Barbra writes. She also notes the need for love, kindness, friendship and giving back. Certainly “My Passion for Design” demonstrates her accomplishment in all these areas. As she concludes, “All that’s left to do now is to be in the moment … and enjoy it!”

SONG CYCLE BUILT FOR TWO A REVIEW OF ‘TILL I LOVED YOU’ Originally released: October 1988

BY BOB WERNER here are few emotions more worth extolling than the virtues of love. In the arts, its praises have graced the cinema screen since the evolution of celluloid. Poets for centuries have been writing of its lure, but love has never been more beautifully rendered than when it is set to music. Ballads for decades have moved listeners as they told of the various stages of love: discovering a new love, basking in its glow, sharing its heartbreaks, and as consolation for the listener when love takes leave. Though many a singer through the years has recorded such tunes, few artists have taken the chore of weaving those emotions into song more carefully, and masterfully, than Barbra Streisand. Having already scored hit singles with songs regarding the need for love (People), love about to flourish (Evergreen), and love coming to an end (The Way We Were), in 1988 Barbra recorded an album of love songs covering all of its territory. Till I Loved You was not merely to be an album of love songs: it was to be a showcase for an entire song cycle about an intimate relationship – beginning with its discovery, taking the listener through its stages, and ending with its demise. Assembled was an impressive list of producers, including Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, and Phil Ramone to help navigate the project. Barbra had previously worked with Phil Ramone most recently on the studio versions of two songs from the score of Yentl, and had previously worked with Burt Bacharach, appearing as a guest on his 1971 television special, cleverly called The Burt Bacharach Special. Jeremy Lubbock, who had conducted Barbra’s The Broadway Album to the top of the charts signed on as one of the many arrangers for the project, as did Randy Waldman, who played synthesizers in Barbra’s band for her One Voice concert of 1986, as well. With such a crew in place, Till I Loved You promised to be an outstanding collection of material, and on most counts, it was. Beginning with a song as close to a prologue as one gets, the album began with The Places You Find Love. Composed by Glen Ballard and Clif Magness, who had co-written the smash Jack Wagner single All I Need with David Pack, here Barbra lays out a song similar in lyric and emotion to Love Comes From the Most Unexpected Places from Streisand Superman, but gasses up the tempo a bit, throws in the brilliant production of Quincy Jones, and surrounds herself with a gospel-like background choir including the likes of Dionne Warwick, Jennifer Holliday, James Ingram, and Luther Vandross. Not too shabby a line up! Reminding listeners that love can strike most often where you least expect it, and not when you always expect it to arrive, Barbra started out the album on a joyous note, and set the stage for a mix of ballads and mid-tempo numbers that would go on to tell the story of a relationship’s evolution. There’s no denying that Marilyn and Alan Bergman know Streisand’s voice very well, and having collaborated so successfully on the score of Yentl with Michel Legrand, the trio of composers offered up the next song on the album, On My Way To You. Here the relationship of the album blossoms into what I believe is the musical highlight of the album. Streisand shifts into high gear for her unparalleled phrasing, declining to interrupt the phrase “…forgotten in the morning. I relive the roles I’ve played…” with a breath, turning it into a long strain of thought and feeling. This song is particularly representative of Barbra’s way with a melody which could very well have been written for strings: soaring intervals, resonant low notes, soaring again, and the end result was simply gorgeous.

Barbra’s then current sweetheart, Don Johnson, stepped up to the mic with her for the next track, the lovely Till I Loved You. Written by Tony awardwinning composer Maury Yeston (Nine) for the musical Goya, this duet found Barbra knocking out another wonderful blending of voices. There’s a playful essence to this duet, and it was obvious that Barbra was in love – or at least heavily in like – with her singing partner. Their giggling together near the song’s close, as Barbra attempts to move as far into her lower register as possible, is just downright endearing. The first of three Bacharach/Bayer Sager compositions on the album, Love Light is a soliloquy of sorts where we find our “main character” wishing on the moon, so to speak. It’s always a pleasure to find Barbra immersed in a soft jazz atmosphere, and the wonderful Bacharach arrangement surrounded Barbra with warmth that I wish she would delve into more frequently. As Barbra is prone to acting-out her songs, it is easy to imagine a setting such as that used for No Matter What Happens in the film Yentl for this song: a duet between the character and hope. As she had done that with Memory from Cats and Somewhere from West Side Story, next we found Streisand in comfortable territory: Broadway. With All I Ask Of You, a return to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s work, Barbra again took a song from an established Broadway show, and made it one of her own. With this song following on the heels of Love Light, a pop/jazz number, it is easy here to contrast the comfort factor of Barbra’s voice settling into what she knows best: a Broadway ballad, and its home-sweet-home naturalness is obvious from the moment she introduces us to All I Ask Of You with her signature hum. Lovely. In past interviews Barbra has spoken of some of her more pop informed recordings as songs that other singers could possibly, on occasion, deliver as well if not better than she has. Appropriate a song as this one was in keeping the cycle moving, it was an example of the singer being more capable than the song. The second Bacharach/Bayer Sager track, You and Me For Always, lyrically settled the main character into the All About Barbra

relationship, and speaks of love’s comforts versus the sometimes isolated feelings that accompany being on one’s own. While the verses are an engaging recognition of the happiness that love brings, the chorus seems somewhat weak. It appears that though idea-wise there was plenty to convey, musically there wasn’t enough there for Barbra to work with. Despite its battling weaknesses and strengths, the song does succeed in wrapping up the beginning and middle of love, setting the stage for the second half of the album where the relationship begins to slip away. With Why Let It Go?, another lyrical contribution from the Bergmans, we found that love is indeed not “all romance”. The failings of love are always consummately sung by Barbra, and this song numbers among one of her finest pop informed moments. Contemporary pop though the song may be, it comes off more as a contemporary show tune, and gave Barbra plenty of room to flex her muscle as the actress who sings. Like she had done in numbers from previous albums (I’ve Never Been A Woman Before, Best I Could) she nails its core emotion of a heart beginning to break, and a relationship that is more than likely not going to last. The music for Two People found its origin as the score for the film Nuts in which Barbra had starred the previous year, and was composed by Streisand herself. With lyrics added by the Bergmans, this track packs quite a punch and, rivaled only by On My Way To You, was Barbra’s shining moment on the album. Barbra directs her voice in and out of phrases, wrapping herself in some of them, and presents an unflinching devotion to delivering the best possible expression of musical painting. It represents the same elements I spoke of regarding a string-like melody, especially considering that it began as an instrumental. One can only imagine what might result if, together with the Bergmans, Barbra composed an entire album’s worth of material. As the love which started out so beautifully in the beginning continued to go downhill, so did some of the song choices for the remainder of the album. From Scott Cutler (Piano In the Dark) and Antonina Armato (I Still Believe) we next got What Were We Thinking Of, a somewhat-duet with Don Johnson who returned to lend his vocal support. She revisited the general feel of Love Light, popping off another soft jazz number and for the most part succeeds. But paired with its following track, the syrupy Some Good Things Never Last, they represented further examples of material not being worthy of the singer. Showing the love that had begun so beautifully in the first six tracks of the album now withered and ultimately ended, these tracks did, however, keep the cycle moving along. After having endured the sadness of the previous four songs, it was a kind choice to bring the album to a close on an optimistic note. One More Time Around, another Bacharach/Bayer Sager tune, reminded the listener that though a previous relationship may leave you scarred and emotionally bruised, there is always hope for “one more try”, and that there is always another love just waiting to happen. This album remains one of this reviewer’s favorite Streisand outings. It is difficult to listen to any single track from this album and not be reminded of either the joy of love in the songs before it, or of the impending heartbreak in those which follow. Following up the massive success of The Broadway Album from just three years before, it would have been taking the easy way to deliver another batch of Broadway tunes directly on its heels. Wisely, Barbra chose instead to deliver a collection of contemporary songs to hold us over till she next visited Broadway in ‘93. And let’s face it: when it comes to the theme of this album, who better than Streisand to tell us of the places you find love…

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