August 26, Barbara Streisand released her latest album, “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway.” It features songs from famous Broadway shows and duets with other singers. This album, which shot to the number one spot on the Billboard 200, continued Streisand’s record for the female with the most number-one albums. The album also hit number one in the UK and in Australia.
“Encore” deserves the success it has received. Streisand’s voice is as stunning as it has always been, bringing soul and emotion to every note she sings. The duets include stunning harmonies, with Streisand and the other singers’ voices coming together perfectly. The singers get into character, making the listener feel like they are watching a scene in a theater. Dialogue before, during, and after the songs enhance the story that each song tells.
Each song is from a musical, and the singers’ emotions in each song portray what the characters in the show are experiencing. From competition and heartache to love and magic, this album has a song for every emotion. Various musicals are represented, leaving something for everyone to enjoy. The most well-known songs featured on the album are “Pure Imagination” and “Climb Every Mountain.”
The album starts out with “At the Ballet” from A Chorus Line. The opening notes resemble an orchestra tuning, but more beautiful and melodic. It tells the story of three ballerinas who are auditioning for a ballet and how they came to become ballerinas. They exchange information about their families. Their stories are tied by the fact that they were influenced by hurtful comments by their families towards them and those around them. The ballerinas found their escape in dancing.
Streisand sounds as incredible as ever. Her voice is smooth, clear, and beautiful. Her voice was made for singing Broadway show tunes. She has an amazing range with an incredible ability to cover a wide variety of styles. Her passion for Broadway musicals and her connection to each character glimmers through as she sings each note.
While there are a couple well-known songs, many of the songs on the album are not that famous. This exposes listeners to new music and shows they have not seen or heard, but it could be a turnoff for those fans who are not too familiar with Broadway. However, if listeners put aside the fear of new songs, they will be pleasantly surprised at the amazing stories behind the characters they are meeting for the first time.
Sarah Thoder, a Temple alumna who works in the student center, has been a long-time fan of Streisand, particularly her role in Funny Girl. She says that Streisand “has a pretty voice” and that she can “sing it out when she wants to sing it out,” making her voice perfect for the Broadway music featured on Encore. Thoder also feels that Streisand’s role in Funny Girl helped prepare her for the making of “Encore.”
Overall, this album is fun, witty, and entertaining. It is a great album for Broadway and Streisand fans alike. The album is available at music retailers everywhere and online.