NEAT POSTER!

STREISAND SUPERMAN

In early 1977 Streisand and Gray Klein created what would be her recording follow up to A STAR IS BORN. It was released in the summer of 1977 and became a big hit. A sort of valentine or "thank you" recording to her fans -- this LP actually included liner notes by Babs herself and a thank you for all the support. The support continued --- and, it is important to note that back in the summer of 1977 Barbra Streisand was about as big a star as possible. Folks were wearing ASIB t-shirts and she was enjoying mainstream success without the "legend" trappings which have surrounded her since the 90's.

"Streisand Superman" is a straight ahead FM radio affair. It arrived to record stores with the hit single, "My Heart Belongs to Me" and the soundtrack to A STAR IS BORN was still charting about. The concept for the record sleeve art came from a scene in ASIB were she wore a pair of mini-short and a baby-doll Superman t-shirt. And, one can't help but note that the whole "Side 2" concept was meant to be a sort of "fuck you" to the people who had so seemed to bank on the doom of her career after she took over the reigns. It also began an odd time when the public was pulled into her lover, Jon Peters' fascination with Bab's butt. It is a very nice ass, but it seemed odd that it would play such a "big" part of her work. In fact, it would be just a couple of years later that, essentially, Barbra's butt would co-star with Ryan O'Neal in THE MAIN EVENT. I never quite got it.

However, it was the 70's. Streisand has always been a proud liberal and was very much a member of the Feminist movement from the start --- so it now seems so odd that she would put her body out there in such a way. However, this was a new era for her in that the whole sex symbol thing was actually taking off. Perhaps this was as liberating/empowering for her as it was for Madonna years later.

It was later in the fall of 1977 that Streisand agreed to a lengthy interview with Playboy magazine and even pose for it's cover. Playboy had wanted to have Streisand "recreate" the Superman album concept for their cover. Legend has it that when the photographer told her to loosen up a bit she slipped her shoes off and announced that she "took it off" for Playboy. I prize my copy! And, it is probably the only really straight-up/honest interview with Streisand. No walls of defense. Just the writer asking her questions. It is a great interview and insight into a very complex talent. She would never again be so honest or without "control" --- which is too bad as the interview shows us a very human, honest and interesting individual. Now, the topics are decided before she sits down. ...and, they are always the same topics.

But, back to the LP. It is an easy 70's sort of groove. Opening with a "belly-rubbing" sort of sound of ballads. The standout tracks are covers of several songwriters work: Barbra does a great take on Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and invests more into "Love Comes From Unexpected Places" than the Kim Carnes tune really deserves. Streisand writes that she felt this would be a great theme song for the film version of LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR --- and, presumably, she did approach that film's director with the idea of using it for the Diane Keaton film. He felt it would take from his film's edge and put too much attention on the song. Too bad. Jack Nitzsche arranged her cover of Roger Miller's sexy "Baby Me Baby" --- and it is probably the LP's strongest track.

This is a very enjoyable LP with only one sour note: "Don't Believe What You Read" does not work and does not hold up well some 30 years later. Streisand re-worked the lyrics with the song's writers to make a statement about the untruths of the press. It is a silly song and manages to give movie star rags and gossip hounds more attention than they deserve. It is also a rather lame stab at rock. ...a stab she would take to much more actual sonic success when she recorded the theme song for Jon Peter's hit film, EYES OF LAURA MARS the following year. Interestingly, while "Prisoner" might very well be her only true rock recording, it didn't do so well chart wise and from lack of attention Streisand has given the song --- I don't think she liked it much.

My two personal favorite tracks from this LP are: "Answer Me" --- a beautiful little song which had been written for ASIB. I've never been able to decide what touches me more about this song - her tender delivery or the words which are so similar to the words one wonders about a new lover. In the end -- those two aspects drive these song right to my heart. It is full of hope and somehow sad at the same time. Magic. The other song I love is actually a light disco song callled "I Found You Love" which is just fun and sexy. I always felt it should have been the single from the album instead of "My Heart Belongs to Me" ....except, you can't help but suspect that Streisand really related to the lyric of that song. And, the general record buying public certainly responded.

Sony did a terrible job the first time out with the mastering of this record, but did a remaster of it in the early 90's which improved it. However, it is still lacking in sound quality. And, sadly, the memorable LP art and liner notes were scrapped when it went to CD. I keep wishing that it would finally get the remaster it deserves and bring us back those notes and fun pictures! ...especially the infamous "Side 2" shot!!!

Well, a boy can dream.

Track Listing:
Superman
Don't Believe What You Read
Baby Me Baby
I Found You Love
Answer Me
My Heart Belongs To Me
Cabin Fever
Love Comes From Unexpected Places
New York State of Mind
Lullaby for Myself

A STAR IS BORN (soundtrack recording)

I decided to start this blog to just write down my thoughts on the work of Barbra Streisand! And, so I shall start with my thoughts on the recording which I seem to play the most --- the soundtrack to the 1976 film, A STAR IS BORN. I was 9 when this record and film came out. And, I loved it so very much and I still do! At the time, all critics and all of the entertainment industry seemed to want this film, the soundtrack and Barbra to totally fail. Instead, it became her biggest hit. Filmed in a style which I suspect was inspired by Robert Altman -- A STAR IS BORN often feels quite personal. As if we are actually seeing Streisand's views of herself, her then love and 'The Industry' ---- and it is unapologetically romantic. It is also very dated. It is as if you are transported to 1976 as soon as you see the Warner Bros logo -- which is the charm of the movie itself.

It is the Ultimate Barbra film because it signals all the topics and styles that would come to personify and classify her from there on out. The flawless cinematography, the back lighting, lush, demanding, political, sad, sexy, angry passion, no room for compromise, those legs!, those shoulders!, that profile! --- all like creamy buttah!

From this moment on, Barbra is in charge and I, for one, love it! ...but, my post is meant to be about the LP, A STAR IS BORN. The music for the film was, for the most part, recorded live. A great choice on Streisand's part -- and she and Phil Ramone did an outstanding job with the production. The LP almost works like a souvenir of the movie and the "journey" of the film's story.

The songs flow in the order as presented in the film. It is my opinion that this was this recording signaled the beginning of the era which was The Streisand Voice's finest hour. From this LP thru to 1985 I don't think her voice ever sounded better. Which is saying a great deal because it always sounds fairly flawless.

The remastered CD is outstanding. My only annoyance is that I do wish they had also included the French version of Evergreen as I am almost certain that there is one floating around the Sony vaults somewhere!

I believe that this might have been the first film recorded and released in Dolby Sound --- and, at the time, Streisand sent a note along with each print of the film asking cinema's to play the film loud. And, I'm no expert on sound, but this LP and the remastered CD seem to play louder than any of her other work. Crank it up!

Of course the standout track is the theme for the film, "Evergreen" written by Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams. This won Ms. Barbra the Oscar! And, it is a stunning piece of music and lush performance. It is my favorite song. I play it far too much on my iPod. ...and I think me and my mom had to purchase the LP three or for times because I just played it too damn much! You could almost see through the vinyl from so much playing!

"Queen Bee" is a fun and very 70's funky track. It is begging to be sampled for a Hip Hop rap song! Come on, Ms. Blige!

The Finale performance of "With One More Look At You" and "Watch Closely Now" manages to be sad, vulnerable and rousing all at once. One wishes that Streisand had a cut a studio recording of "With One More Look At You" ---- it is such a lovely bit of music and lyric.



"Lost Inside of You" serves more as a harmonizing vocal with Kristofferson than a duet, but is timeless and sexy. One wonders what it would have sounded like if she had recorded it with her co-writer, Leon Russell. (one also hopes she might get around to doing that gospel album with him before they get much older!!!)

"The Woman In The Moon" is a great bit of old showbiz glitz that works totally on Streisand's powerful and passionate vocal. The lyrics are very 70's women's lib -- but they hold true thanks to the conviction with which they are sung.

The only track which has never worked for me is Kristofferson's "Cripple Crow" --- which is just weak. I have always wondered why Kristofferson didn't write his own songs for the film.

Aside from the two "hit singles": Evergreen and Lost Inside of You --- I suspect this is a fan's album. I'm a big fan. So, it would make sense it is one of my all time fave Streisand works.

And, no matter your opinion --- one can't deny the impact the recording (and film) had on the very industry which seemed to so want it to fail. Female artists soon started taking a stronger role in the work they pursued --- and with far less resistance. And, talk about iconic. The LP cover/movie poster alone are somehow branded into the 70's brain of image. ...And, let's not forget that Elvis was the first choice for the male lead. What that might have been like I wonder?!?!? Interesting, but not as sexy I should think. And, those photos really amp'd up Fancesco Scavullo's power as a photographer and inspired a lengthy parody on The Carol Burnett Show! ...and how many proms were thrown from 1977 to 1984 without the theme song?!?!? ...and, only Farrah's "do" out-dazzl'd the Streisand 70's perm look!

"...ageless and evergreen."



Tracks:
1. Watch Closely Now - Kristofferson
2. Queen Bee - Streisand
3. Everything - Streisand
4. Lost Inside of You - Streisand/Kristofferson
5. Hellacious Acres - Kristofferson
6. Evergreen - Streisand
7. The Woman In The Moon - Streisand
8. I Believe In Love - Streisand
9. Crippled Crow - Kristofferson
10. Finale: With One More Look at You/Watch Closely Now
11. Reprise: Evergreen - Streisand/Kristofferson
*CD Bonus Track: Spanish Version of Evergreen

...oh, barbra.