Barbra Streisand - Love is the Answer

When it comes to pop divas, they don’t come much bigger than Barbra Streisand. A star of film, television, stage and music, with Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and Grammys to her credit, Barbra reigns supreme. In music alone, the celebrated singer has achieved sales unequalled by any other female recording artist, with 50 gold and 30 platinum albums, in fact more than any act other than Elvis Presley. Clearly, people—people who need people—can’t get enough of La Streisand.

Born in Brooklyn, Barbra got her start as a nightclub singer and appeared in a number of Off-Off-Broadway productions before launching her recording career in the 1960s. An early endorsement came from Judy Garland, who declared the young singer “one of the last great belters.” Now 67, the highly celebrated artist met Canada’s jazz star Diana Krall and forged a collaborative relationship. “The though of meeting her incredibly high standards was a bit daunting,” admits Diana, who produced Barbra’s new album, Love is the Answer.

The disc captures what Diana calls “a woman in her finest hour, looking back with some melancholy and humility at the comedy of life.” Songs include the smoky bossa nova “Gentle Rain,” the celebratory “Here’s to Life,” the classic “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and a stripped-down “You Must Believe in Spring.” Two versions of Love is the Answer are available: one with orchestrations by Johnny Mandel, the other with Diana and her quartet. Either way, fans of the legendary singer are in for a treat.