It’s the year of Barbra Streisand! Not only does the singer have an over 1000-page memoir, “My Name Is Barbra,” coming out on November 7, but she’s also releasing two new albums full of musical rarities to mark the occasion.
On October 27 (do mark your calendars), EGOT winner Babs is releasing “Evergreens: Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records” and “Yentl: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition,” which means, yes, we’ve got some never-before-released “Yentl” music coming our way.
“Evergreens” will contain 22 tracks that have never before been featured in a Streisand compilation. The album is titled for her 1976 theme for “A Star Is Born,” which was remixed especially for this album, following the success of the remake of the movie by “Maestro” star and director Bradley Cooper. You can hear this new remix here.
You’ll also be able to hear Barbra sing in French in “Ma Premiere Chanson” from her 1966 album “Je M’Appelle Barbra” which she co-wrote with frequent Celine Dion collaborator Eddy Marnay, and Barbra’s 1971 cover of Joni Mitchell’s “I Don’t Know Where I Stand.”
The songs in these albums are personal favorites for the multi-hyphenated star. In a press release, they are described as the songs that “were chosen by Barbra to convey her emotional connection to these melodies and lyrics – each holding a special place in her heart and memory.” There’s an eclectic mix here that’s sure to please many, from Broadway hits to power ballads.
As for the anniversary edition of the “Yentl” soundtrack, aside from the tracks from the original, it will also feature 11 demo versions of “Yentl” songs which the diva recorded in her own home, with late composer Michel Legrand accompanying her on the piano. A demo version of the iconic “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” will be released ahead of the album’s launch.
What a treat! If you’re looking for us this fall, we’ll be busy listening to these albums and reading “My Name Is Barbra” (and Henry Winkler’s upcoming autobiography, too!), so maybe try us again this winter.
