EvergreenMusic from the Films of Barbra Streisand
1999 Sonic Images Records
by Various Composers
Availability: In print.
For sale at Sonic Images
(828-278-9092)
Release date: September 7, 1999
REVIEW:
by Helen San
Editor/Webmaster of Cinemusic Online
It's been said, "You either love Barbra Streisand or you don't."
The same can probably be said of Evergreen, Sonic Images' latest release of the best selections from her movies. The compilation enjoys a strong, emotionally cohesive theme, brewing with the same lofty, romantic-dramatic yearnings and awakenings as Streisand's characters and stories. In a manner of speaking, this is very much a "chick flick" collection, one for eternal romantics and sensitive aspirants. From the first track, Funny Girl to the last, Yentl, the album dances to sweeping, orchestral rhapsodies for the heart. And despite the fact that the album revolves around the diva, all tracks are completely instrumental, with no vocals whatsoever.
Each track is a superb selection of each score. Melodic, thematic, rich, these excerpts only leave you wanting more. Of course, the cultural icons, The Way We Were," and A Star Is Born's Evergreen, connect immediately. But it is the other cues that make this album a prize. The Funny Girl "Medley" is an especially spirited track with a broader range. John Beal's artful performance of Nuts is one of the more subtle and quietly seductive cues on the album. The best track is possibly Prisoner from The Eyes of Laura Mars, a luminous saxophone theme that flawlessly textured with sensational strings. And Yentl score fans hit the jackpot with the comprehensive orchestral score suite that is not available on the Yentl soundtrack.
The performances, mainly by The City of Prague Philharmonic, are elegant. However, though the orchestral sound is good enough, but it feels somewhat simple, as if the orchestra could have been larger or fuller. Certainly, fans of these scores should get the complete versions if possible. Until then, this is a terrific sampler of some very excellent scores.
Review date: September 8, 1999
by Helen San
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