Barbra Streisand in top form in star-studded duets album
STREISAND. Sings with “virtual” Elvis Presley in “Partners.”
Great voices don’t always make beautiful music together —because collaborations don’t just require exceptional pipes, they also demand vocal harmony and good chemistry. So, does “Love Me Tender,” Barbra Streisand’s duet with Elvis Presley, make the grade?
We’re happy to note that the song is one of the best tracks in the 72-year-old diva’s 34th studio album, “Partners.” The fact that Streisand, the best-selling female recording artist in history, also sings with the gifted likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban and John Legend makes “Love Me Tender” a more impressive feat. (For the record, Presley was Streisand’s first choice for Kris Kristofferson’s character in “A Star Is Born.” He wanted to do it, but his manager played hard to get.)
To guarantee that the single doesn’t get by merely on its digitized novelty, Barbra “reconfigures” its melodic content and vocal aesthetic by following the style and tone utilized by the “virtually” incorporated King of Rock ’n’ Roll, to give their duet its easy-on-the-ear appeal.
This time around, the raspier quality of Streisand’s “older” voice isn’t as pronounced as it was in “What Matters Most” (2011) and last year’s live set, “Back to Brooklyn”—except when she sustains those long notes in her bluesy number with Billy Joel, “New York State of Mind.”
You can’t always rely on technique to iron out the kinks, however: Her improvisational counterpointing with John Mayer in “Come Rain or Come Shine” feels forced, while Blake Shelton’s cut-and-dried country twang in the otherwise lovely ballad, “I’d Want It To Be You,” doesn’t mesh well with the singing icon’s exquisite vocals.
Babyface’s smooth and honey-coated voice is perfect for “Evergreen,” while “I Still Can See Your Face” is notable for Streisand and Andrea Bocelli’s singing, more than for its melody. Her duet with Lionel Richie on “The Way We Were” is grossly weighed down by the cornball contrivances of their repartee. Through it all, however, Streisand’s singing is divine.
Deluxe edition
The recording’s deluxe edition includes five more tracks, mostly from the 2002 “Duets” compilation: “I’ve Got A Crush On You,” with Frank Sinatra; “Guilty,” with Barry Gibb; “I Won’t Be The One To Let Go,” with Barry Manilow; “I Finally Found Someone,” with Bryan Adams, as well as the new version of her duet with Kris Kristofferson, “Lost Inside Of You”—this time, with Babyface.
If you’ve seen Stevie Wonder’s breathtaking version of “People” in the “MusiCares Tribute to Barbra Streisand” DVD, the songstress’ shared high notes with the visually impaired singer in the timeless tune will send shivers down your spine.
There’s also sublime singing in her collaborations with Michael Bublé (“It Had To Be You”) and Josh Groban (“Somewhere”)—whose glorious voices add dramatic heft to the timeless standards. Just as scintillating is the retooled revival of “What Kind of Fool,” made more moving by John Legend’s soul-baring runs.
Another reason to celebrate is the studio version of “How Deep Is The Ocean,” which showcases Jason Gould. If the song’s touching mother-and-child musings won’t drive you to tears, the prodigious voice of Streisand’s only son will.
Jason matches his mom’s pristine pipes, spot-on musicality, seamless technique and breathing ability—truly a chip off the old block!
