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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 This is really a three star album... Nov 02, 2009
...I like Barbra and I like the songs but I think that Barbra could have put her own individual stamp on these songs. This album is a as good and as bland as her second album, and overall her first one is still her best. I give it four because Barbra has the voice and the talent that today's pop stars only dream of.
 Could this be Barbra's finest hour Jul 14, 2009
Barbra's early albums were by far her best. Her voice was at it's bell-like peak, her delivery beyond her tender years. This is an album of standards but there is nothing standard about it. One after another she takes the greatest songs of our time and stretches them out, in that way she does, adding poignancy and lushness in the process.
A few tracks I could live without: I have never enjoyed Barbra's constant forays into childhood. I am not interested in 24-year-olds in baby-doll dresses singing about lollipops, and there is an element of that here in `Draw Me A Circle'. And, `As Time Goes By', just heard it too many times to ever want to hear it again, but that wasn't the case in February 1964 when this album came out, so Barbra can be forgiven. Both these tracks are side-by-side- so easily skipped on the cd or ipod! Having said that she does do a wonderful job with them.
The rest of the album is great beyond greatness:
"My Melancholy Baby" , "Just In Time", "Taking A Chance On Love", "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered", "Never Will I Marry" is perhaps the strongest opening of any album ever, by turns powerful, gorgeous and gentle. Unbelievable. "It Had To Be You", "Make Believe" and
"I Had Myself A True Love" round out a (very near) perfect collection. One of her very best. Perhaps her best album.
Exquisite Jun 28, 2009
Exquisite 45 years after its release, THIS albums brings chills to me barbra is just perfection here Thank you, Barbra!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Barbra says, "Happy Birthday, Steven!" Dec 24, 2008
Years ago someone gave me one of those printouts which showed what was happening on the day I was born, and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" happened to be the No. 1 song. Barbra sings it on this album. In fact, she proves on this album that she, in those days at least, was the premier interpreter of standards. No Streisand fan needs to be reminded that in 1964 her voice, her pitch, her phrasing were so perfect that probably they will never be equalled. I know that is an extravagant statement, but I've heard a lot of singers, and I believe what I am saying. How many times have I heard "Bewitched" sung by others, along with "My Melancholy Baby", "As Time Goes By", "Taking a Chance on Love" and "It Had To Be You"? But to me, Barbra's are the definitive versions. And her interpretation of "Just In Time" is one of those eccentric but exquisite gems that only she could successfully put across. In a complete change of pace, "Draw Me a Circle", which was used to open her CBS special "Color Me Barbra", is one of her performances that sound childlike and very wise at the same time. This is not a bombastic, mind-blowing album. Just a collection of straightforward supper club standards and show tunes, very satisfying. It is one of my favorite albums from one of my all-time idols, a person who truly has had a very real and positive effect on my life. Period.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Barbra sold these songs without even trying--BRAVO, BARBRA STREISAND !!! May 14, 2008
The Third Album by Barbra Streisand has me believing even more than I did before that this lady has TALENT! Barbra's voice is in excellent form on this CD and it's only too bad that we don't get twenty more songs from her on this CD! I mean that in a positive way. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.
"My Melancholy Baby" shines brighter than silver and gold when Barbra sings this ever so sweetly; and when the full musical arrangement starts this number truly takes flight! Barbra sings this with great sensitivity and that's terrific. Her voice is clear as a bell; and her uncanny sense of timing enhances her performance even further. "Just In Time" features Barbra Streisand's vocals squarely front and center--and that's quite all right with me! The lush musical arrangement never drowns out Barbra as she sings this to perfection--and beyond! Wonderful!
"Taking A Chance On Love" gets the royal treatment from Barbra; she sings this with a slower tempo than I'm used to but it all works very well. "Taking A Chance On Love" really sparkles when Streisand picks this up and makes her own mark on this ballad with some tactful key changes and that slower tempo that sounds great. No wonder this record album sold well when it was originally released all those years ago! In addition, there's also "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered;" Barbra throws herself into this ballad to make it even brighter and upbeat than ever before. This love song benefits so much from Streisand's natural vocal talent and "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered" has a very pretty musical arrangement.
"As Time Goes By," is, of course, one of the very greatest love songs ever written; and Barbra does great justice to this timeless ballad as she delivers it without a superfluous note. "As Time Goes By" was originally performed by Dooley Wilson in the movie Casablanca; and Dooley would have been proud of Barbra's rendition!
"It Had To Be You" gets a very sensitive treatment from Streisand who never misses a beat; and the strings are used to great advantage. The soft piano arrangement rounds out the melody quite nicely as the strings carry the bulk of the melody. Listen also for "Make Believe;" this ballad is quite sweet and Barbra performs this with panache.
The CD also ends well with Barbra Streisand performing "I Had Myself A True Love." This final number again showcases Barbra's vocal talents and her delivery of "I Had Myself A True Love" impresses me greatly.
Barbra Streisand fans will naturally want this album in their collections.
Thank you, Barbra Streisand!
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