12 Days Of Barbra Streisand - FLASH FRIDAY: Barbra's Partners, Then & Now

By: Pat Cerasaro Sep. 12, 2014

Here at BroadwayWorld.com, we could not be more excited about the upcoming September 16 release of the highly anticipated latest album, PARTNERS, from Broadway's greatest export, Barbra Streisand. In honor of the album's 12 brand new duets, we are counting down with 12 days of Barbra! To pre-order the album, click here for Amazon.com, iTunes.com or to order direct. Today we are focusing our attention on the starry collection of collaborators on the new album from the recording icon.

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There's A Place For Us
The prospect of sharing the stage, screen or recording booth with a legend is too tantalizing to resist for most artists worth their artistic mettle, yet the sheer idea of arguably the world's finest vocalist deigning to do a duet is mind-boggling - and perilously daunting, too. Nevertheless, on Barbra Streisand's PARTNERS she has assembled a veritable who's who of modern music masters more than merely able to deliver the mood, style, tone and sonic perfection demanded of any and all Streisand albums - now or ever. Given the sensationally storied history of Streisand with some unforgettable duet partners in the past - Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Barry Gibb, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow, Michael Crawford, Vince Gill, Don Johnson, Kim Carnes, Bryan Adams and many more among them - it is a significant challenge to better the very best, but Streisand has managed to seek out some incredibly surprising, smart and eclectic pairings for her new studio release.

Kicking off the album is a swingin' cover of the jazz standard "It Had To Be You" afforded the suave, swanky Rat Pack sound adored by Michael Buble's legions of fans from around the world - and many of Streisand's, too, no doubt. Then comes a major reworking of a song originally introduced in the Broadway classic FUNNY GIRL, "People", with a whole new soulful, bossa nova streak imbued by the legendary Stevie Wonder. With an album highlight, John Mayer adds some considerable 21st century coolness credibility to the affair with his smoky, sexy contribution in a showstopping "Come Rain Or Come Shine". Also, two R&B mega-stars add their elegant vocals and erudite affectation to two other standouts on the new release - the lead producer himself, Babyface, joins Streisand for a new take on the Streisand-penned, Academy Award-winning A STAR IS BORN highlight "Evergreen", while Lionel Richie joins Babs for a new take on the timeless Marvin Hamlisch/Alan and Marilyn Bergman gem "The Way We Were".

Streisand also commits to a few new tunes on PARTNERS, as well, sharing the soundscape with THE VOICE coach and country music superstar Blake Shelton for a down-home ditty titled "I'd Want It To Be You" and joining with opera/pop crossover king Andrea Bocelli for the epic "I Can Still See Your Face". On PARTNERS, Streisand also gives her own son, Jason Gould, a turn to show what mama gave him - and, as it turns out, that's a whole helluva lot, as we come to find out in the moving and memorable "How Deep Is The Ocean?" Plus, Streisand fulfills a dream in the making by teaming up with the King himself, Elvis Presley, for a gentle and heartfelt "Love Me Tender", exhibiting the valuable magic made available by 21st century technology.
The triptych of other terrific selections that lodge themselves most immediately and inextricably in the memory on a first listen are undoubtedly the Billy Joel, John Legend and Josh Groban cuts - each and every one a masterful reworking of a fondly remembered Streisand song, but with a fresh verve and appealing energy all their own. Legend and Streisand send "What Kind Of Fool" into the stratosphere in a sparse yet orchestra-accented iteration, whereas Billy and Barbra raise the roof and show off an easy, palpable rapport that is a delight to experience. Additionally, Groban matches Streisand's supreme vocals note-for-note with an epic and tear-jerking twist on the WEST SIDE STORY ballad "Somewhere".

Jazz, pop, R&B, country, blues, opera, musical theatre and beyond, Streisand's heady assortment of partners on PARTNERS go hand in hand with the versatility and polish predominant on the release, opening the door to make one muse on what other potential duet pairings could incite such excitement in the future... the possibilities are virtually (and sonically) endless!

Barbra Streisand's PARTNERS will be released on September 16. More information on PARTNERS and pre-order with bonus incentives is available at the official site here. Also, pre-order PARTNERS on Amazon here and iTunes here.

I've Got A Crush On You
So, now, let's take a look at some of Barbra Streisand's many partners old and new doing what they do best.
First, see one of Barbra's first major duets - with the one and only Judy Garland, no less.

Barbra, Judy and Ethel Merman team up later in the telecast for a funny scene and song.

Next, Barbra and Ray Charles stop the show with "Cryin' Time".
Now, Barbra Streisand and Burt Bacharach smolder on the small screen.
One of the biggest duets of the 1970s, Barbra joins with Neil Diamond.
After that, Barbra and Donna Summer work up a disco sweat.
Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion collaborate for "Tell Him".
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is reinvented via this Michael Crawford collaboration.
Streisand teams with vocal group Il Divo for "Somewhere".
Sample Barbra and Billy Joel's "New York State Of Mind" from PARTNERS.
Also from PARTNERS, here is a generous dose of "It Had To Be You".
Lionel Richie adds his exceptional musical expertise to a new "The Way We Were".
The King meets Queen B with this PARTNERS album closer.
Lastly, a PARTNERS highlight that premiered on BroadwayWorld this week.
As a special bonus, peruse the entirety of PARTNERS in this preview medley.

What has been your absolute favorite Barbra Streisand duet to date? Furthermore, what team-up are you anticipating most on PARTNERS? Also, what is your Barbra dream duet? With an a deck this stacked with superstars, with Barbra Streisand herself at the center, magic is bound to result - time and time again.

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