Back to Broadway - Streisand, Barbra (CD 1993)

Her first Broadway album was incredible. This one is very good - doesn't reach as many high notes in the selection of the first, but it is a great sequel. I also hope she does another album of this genre.

In this album she does more "modern" music from shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, and Sunday in the Park with George. These are all shows that are not the greatest from Broadway but she manages to put her strong individual style on each song. This is Barbra at her best - a singer/performer of theatrical music.

There are duets in this show, from West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera. Her voice works wonderful with both Michael Crawford and Johnny Mathis. Their voices complement each other.

Some of the "lesser" songs include the following:

Everybody Says Don't - (from "Anyone Can Whistle" - this show originally starred Angela Lansbury and had about 10 performances before it folded, however it is a "cult" favorite - music by Stephen Sondheim)

Speak Low - (from "One Touch Of Venus") This was a hit musical in the early 40's, a fantasy about a statue of Venus who comes to life.

Children Will Listen -(from "Into The Woods") Another Sondheim musical, this is a wonderful song. Listen to the lyrics. Sondheim has gotten rather atonal in his latter career, this one has a wondrous melody that is uplifting and beautiful.

With One Look - (from "Sunset Boulevard") Although I am not crazy about the score to this show, Barbra does a wonderful job on this song, she brings out the melody and the lyrics do sing out to the listener, aching to be heard.

I Have A Love/One Hand, One Heart - (duet with Johnny Mathis, from "West Side Story") This is very nicely sung, it is quite beautiful and Mathis' voice is a great complement to her voice. They mesh together beautifully, the melodies by Bernstein are magnificent and the lyrics are by Sondheim.

There are other songs on this album - most of them are good, a couple slightly forgettable.