Released: 6 August 2021
Barbra Streisand unearths a treasure trove of ‘lost’ gems on her latest LP ‘Release Me 2’.
The collection, recorded between 1969 and 2020, is an eclectic set of tracks, from lush sweeping ballads to Muppet duets, tied together by the singer’s always-sublime vocals.
Look no further than Sweet Forgiveness for that unmistakable voice which, at the risk of sounding chiché, truly has aged like fine wine.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that in the seventh decade of her career Streisand is still attracting the biggest names in music to work with her, including Bee Gees star Barry Gibb, country icon Willie Nelson and… Kermit the Frog.
The Rainbow Connection, the duet between the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar-winning superstar and the beloved green puppet is a charming moment on the record, allowing her warmth and charisma to shine through.
Other personal moments on the set include a spoken interlude between herself and Nelson, who tells the music legend she’ll “always be that funny girl for me,” referencing her hit movie.
Still, her voice is front and centre and the main takeaway from ‘Release Me 2’; the single-take Once You’ve been in Love builds with slow-burning passion, while Right as the Rain demonstrates her incredible range alongside a flute instrumental.
Most impressive, though, is that some tracks were recorded in the 1970s and completed last year, yet 50 years has left no mark on Streisand’s voice – if anything, she sounds stronger and richer than ever before.
At 79, it’s not only a blessing to have more new music from the legendary entertainer, but a testament to her prolific career that her castoffs – 50 years later – can come together as a standout album.
