Barbra Streisand publishes an album of duets with stars of three generations, by Paul Mc Cartney to Ariana Grande
Barbra Streisand He returns to the record universe with a proposal that combines tradition, emotion and an intergenerational talent deployment. June 25 will be published The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Twoa new collection of duets that brings together music icons as Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan With contemporary voices such as Sam Smith, Ariana Grande and Laufey. The artist, who has been one of the most versatile interpreters of the American scene for decades, thus returns to the collaborative format that consolidated with the album Partners In 2014.
The project has 11 songs that cross genres, generations and vocal records. From reinvented classics to original compositions, the album proposes an emotional tour that, according to StreisandIt was also a deeply enriching creative experience. “I admire all of them … and I hope you enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording them,” he said in a statement.
The first advance of the album is already available on digital platforms. It’s about “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”played next to Hozier. This song, written by the British musician Ewan Maccoll For his wife Peggy Seegerwas consecrated by the unforgettable version of Roberta Flackrecently deceased. The recording of Streisand with Hozier Not only rescues the melodic essence of the subject, but also presents itself as a tribute to the legacy of FLACKwhose voice left an indelible mark on the history of soul and folk.
“The song has always left me speechless,” he said Hozier. “Sing with Barbra It was a wonderful honor and surprise. I hope our version is also a tribute to Roberta Flack”
One of the most striking aspects of the album is the generational amplitude of the convened artists. Along with Paul McCartney, Streisand interpret “My Valentine”a ballad composed of the former beatle for his standard album Kisses on the bottom. It also participates Bob dylan, who has traditionally been reluctant to vocal collaborations. The musician joins an interpretation of the romantic classic “The very thought of you”which promises to capture the attention of his most demanding followers.
In addition, collaborations with James Taylor (“Secret or ‘Life”), Sting (“Fragile”), Josh Groban (“WHERE DO I GO FROM YOU?”), Tim McGraw (“I love us”) and Seal (“Love Will Survive”), among others. In some cases, as in the song of Laufey “Letter to My 13-Yare-Old Self”the original theme was adapted to the duo format, which introduces new nuances into existing pieces of the contemporary repertoire.
In the case of “One Heart, One Voice”, Streisand Share vocal scene coN Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. Far from being a simple duet, the song constitutes a trio that condenses the melodic power of three generations of Pop and R&B singers. This piece stands out in the album as a whole by the force of its interpreters and for a harmonic construction that points to choral drama.
“I have always loved to sing duets with talented artists. They inspire me in unique and different ways,” said Streisand, who has previously worked with figures such as Neil Diamond, Barry Gibb and Michael Bublé. In this new work, it meets with artists who, for the most part, represent different periods of recent musical history. The result is an album that functions as a kind of affective newspaper in melodic key.
Production was in charge of Walter Afanasieff and Peter Ashertogether with Streisand and Jay Landers as executive producers. The orchestrations, in charge of William Ross and David Campbellthey were recorded in the Streisand study of Culver City, as well as in the historical Abbey Road de London studies, with the participation of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The album The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two Includes the following songs:
- “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (with Hozier)
- “My Valentine” (with Paul McCartney)
- “To lose you again “ (with Sam Smith)
- “The very thought of you” (with Bob Dylan)
- “Letter to My 13-Yare-Old Self” (with Laufey)
- “One Heart, One Voice” (with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande)
- “I love us” (with Tim McGraw)
- “Secret or ‘Life” (with James Taylor)
- “Fragile” (with Sting)
- “WHERE DO I GO FROM YOU?” (with Josh Groban)
- “Love Will Survive” (with Seal)
With this new production, Barbra Streisand Not only does its artistic validity reaffirm, but it is located in a symbolic articulation place between different musical generations. The presence of historical names such as McCartney and Dylan coexist with young talents like Laufey, Ariana Grande either Sam Smithin a sound constellation that unfolds without losing aesthetic cohesion.
The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two It is, above all, a celebration of artistic collaboration as a form of emotional exploration. And, at the same time, a vindication of the voice as an instrument to connect stories, times and sensibilities.
Fountain: AP.
Photos: Evan Agostini/ INVISION/ AParchive; Columbia Records via AP; EFE/ Jason Szenes.
