A Love Like Ours - Streisand, Barbra (CD 1999)

When the history of the 20th Century is written from an impartial, historical perspective, it will be said that Barbara Streisand was one of the most influential persons of the century. Ms. Streisand's ability to express the human condition, whether it be in speech, roles in movies or the stage, or her composition of and interpretation of music and song, has shown time and again her sensitivity to various situations people find themselves in.
Such is the case of Ms. Streisand's album, "A Love Like Ours." In this celebration of love in its various forms, Ms. Streisand takes us on a journey of discovery that it is never too late to find love, and the joy it gives when it does happen.
A personal favorite selection of mine is the first song of the album entitled, "I've Dreamed of You." This song sets the tone of the journey as the words of the song exclaim the dreams and hopes of the performer, and the result of finally finding the one person to share it with. I think it was very appropriate that Ms. Streisand first sang the song at the reception following her wedding when she married James Brolin. From what I read, it seemed to me that Mr. Brolin coming into her life was a complete and very happy surprise for her, and it shows in her expression.
Other selections from this album I would recommend are "If You Ever Leave Me," "Just One Lifetime," and her remake of the song "The Music That Makes Me Dance" from "Funny Girl."
There may be those who say that Ms. Streisand's performances are "over the top." I would have to disagree. Being "over the top," to me, would mean that the performer would not have anything to say, and would just be singing for the sake of singing. Ms. Streisand has had a lot to say in her career of almost forty years. "A Love Like Ours" is just one more example of the great genius that is Barbara Streisand, and I would thoroughly recommend this album to everyone.