Original Soundtrack Recording
Arista 19006 (CD) Original Release: March 1975
Arista Masters CD Release: May 19, 1998
Original
Album Produced by Rick Chertoff
[4:48]
Footnotes
The best thing that has happened in this century happened on April 24, 1942. It was the day Barbra Joan Streisand was born. What can one say about her? For sure, God lives in her vocal chords. Every time she opens her mouth it's like a religious experience.
And I am her Number One fan.
In 1994, my son-in-law Mike Myers was asked by Barbra to appear with her in Las Vegas, her first live performance in 27 years. The wait was well worth it. Mike made sure I met her, and I spent a week watching her rehearse. I went through four boxes of tissues. I cried when she hummed. What an experience! She would rehearse and then ask me how I liked the song. Every time she asked, I said, "Barbra, you're Barbra Streisand!"
I ate meals with her, and every time I looked up and saw Babs across the table I screamed in my head, "YOU'RE EATING WITH BARBRA STREISAND!!!" It was the thrill of my life. You want to know what she's like? She's like buttah.
The only CDs I own are Barbra's. I turn my Barbra CDs on when I get up in the morning, and they play until I go to sleep. I've been doing this since 1964 when I was using 8-track tapes. If you think this is crazy, be assured that if I had a Rolls Royce I'd make sure to drive it every day. To me, Barbra is the Rolls Royce of music.
I've been asked for my comments on the re-release of Funny Lady. I don't analyze, I just enjoy. And boy, have I enjoyed listening to this!
"Blind Date": Barbra does a hysterically funny rendition of this song. The world and I fell in love with her because she was funny and fearless, and did I mention that God is in her vocal chords? This song will make you laugh. It's Barbra at her silliest. She sings with a Yiddish accent. Oh Babs, such fun. Listen, you'll laugh.
"More Than You Know": Her voice, her emotion, her range...I'm listening and I'm crying. Only Barbra can break your heart with this song. I'm getting fahrklempt. Talk amongst yourselves while loving this song.
"It's Only A Paper Moon": It's Babs with James Caan. Who knew he could really sing so well? You're gonna be surprised. They were delicious in this duet. I found myself dancing. I am meshugeh.
"I Found A Million Dollar Baby": I can picture Barbra singing this one. You are in for a treat. Babs makes classics of songs and this is no exception. It's upbeat and happy and totally Barbra.
"So Long Honey Lamb": I dare you not to snap your fingers or just get up and dance. It's Barbra being Fanny Brice. If Fanny Brice were as good as Barbra, I'm sorry I missed her. I have a feeling that if Fanny Brice is looking down from heaven, she's smiling and thrilled that Babs portrayed her.
"I Got A Cold In My Doze": Oy vey, it don't get better than this. A silly song sung by a Genius. Barbra, Barbra, how do you do it? I had such fun listening to this one. Thanks, Babs.
"Great Day": You will have a great day listening to this. You'll get the chills. You would have to be made of stone not to cry. Barbra touched every emotion in my soul. Oy, I'm getting fahrklempt again. You will, too.
"How Lucky Can You Get": How lucky can we get? Just listen to this song. She belts this one and tears your heart out along the way. God, I love being on this planet at the same time she's here.
"Am I Blue": Babs is sultry and sexy on this one. This is Barbra being Barbra and what could be better than that? Amazing.
"Let's Hear It For Me": A treat, a treasure and a pleasure. Miss Streisand, let's hear it for you. You are my hero. If I could sing this song like you do...well, I guess I'd be you.
I never heard the expression "liner notes," and I'm not a writer. I make brisket--and a good one at that. All I'm telling you is that Funny Lady got better, if that's possible. How can perfection be perfected? Arista Records did it somehow. They remaster, they stir, they do something. I don't understand how they did it, but they did.
Barbra Streisand was given a gift, a voice and a style so unique it can't be duplicated. Some people compare her to this one or that one. Nonsense. She's an original, and in my opinion The Greatest Female Singer For All Times.
Thank you, Arista Records, for re-releasing this album. And last but not least, thank you Barbra Streisand for being you!
Linda Richman
March 1998
New York City
Ms. Richman is right. Arista's CD sparkles and shines, reviving and revving up Funny Lady's music like no other medium to date. Getting accustomed to and enjoying the revised song sequence is easy, especially when the Crazy Quilt show numbers are together. Yes, it was funny re-listening to "Blind Date" followed by "More Than You Know." Streisand sounds like two different singers, but that's just Barbra, the actress, for you. Didier Deutsch and James Nicols' flawless digital transfer of the 20+ year-old masters is excellent. Nothing in the sound mix has been lost or enhanced in an exaggerated way. BJS's vocals are front and center, sounding richer than ever. Ben Vereen's "Clap Hands" shimmers and pulsates like never before. And tape hiss? Virtually non-existent.
The 14-page CD booklet design exactly matches the color scheme of the original gatefold album package. Some of Steve Schapiro's movie photos are omitted, and there is a new addition you'll spot on the back cover. Linda Richman's photo is included, and she looks nothing like her son-in-law's TV character. The clear tray and disc's yellow rose are simple, yet striking design elements.
The classic songs are all here, and as on the original LP, several are longer or different versions from those performed in the movie. "Am I Blue" is presented in its entirety, with a signature brassy ending that will have you leaping out of your seat. "Million Dollar Baby" is identical to the LP track, which on my '75 pressing incorrectly listed its length at 2:55 instead of 1:55 as on the new CD.
One of the few content changes from Arista's LP to CD is the 35-second longer "Great Day," whose first portion of the intro. replaces Barbra's familiar spirited and rising vocal from the film ("Angels in the sky-yyy!") with a melancholic alternate vocal. Despite the alteration, this actually sounds like a restoration of the complete intro., establishing a perfect flow from start to finish. I'll keep the vinyl for the "power version." Later in the song, a longer instrumental and hand-clapping interlude is added, along with additional BJS vocals, which works better, perhaps edited from the original version. Another content alteration occurs on "More Than You Know," where a subtle yet distinctly alternate vocal replaces the original for the first half of the song only.
A third major change, this one clearly for the better, is on "Let's Hear It For Me," which at 4:04 runs nearly a minute longer than the LP version. Barbra's angry "Well, I'll be damned...It was me closing the door" intro. from the film is a welcome addition. This song sounds more joyous than ever.
We get to enjoy "How Lucky Can You Get" twice, the first being the standard album track, which, for artistic reasons I suppose, begins with a ridiculous-sounding fade-in of the male chorus and the simulation of a record being played, as in the film. Closing out the album, the "How Lucky" single version makes its CD debut. Certainly, the alternate second half, beginning at 1:40, is a bit rawer than the standard track, but we always love an additional Streisand performance, especially when it's this impassioned. -
MJI, 5/16/98
Copyright © 1996-2003 Mark Iskowitz. All rights reserved.