The Deluxe Edition is simply superb. No question, this is unequivocally, one of Streisand’s best albums in years! Barbra Streisand, the entertainment grande dame, returns with one of her most beautiful albums in a long time! With an exquisite cover and marvelous artists at the controls. LOVE IS THE ANSWER is a truly a marvellous recording. The shimmering stings and harp glissando outro on ‘Gentle Rain’, makes those rainy nights seem irresistible. ‘Make Someone Happy’ can make even the hardest music critic misty eyed. It is any wonder that this album was co-produced by Tommy LiPuma? (he worked with Natalie Cole on her Grammy sweeping tour-de-force UNFORGETTABLE in 1991.) Not at all, the album is a perfect collaboration between Diana Krall, LiPuma, Streisand and Johnny Mandel. At 67, Streisand’s voice is at once both mature and still stunningly beautiful.

What makes this album so fantastic is the conviction in Barbra’s voice. She knows better any other vocalist the art of delivery. The emotional clarity, lyric phrasing, depth and how to get across her message through the orchestration and her own innate musical abilities. Not only with the deluxe album is a listen given a chance to hear Streisand with the beautiful orchestral touches of Mandel, but on Disc 2, Diana Krall’s skills are a beautiful compliment to the “One Voice.” The emotion is palpable in and throughout LOVE IS THE ANSWER

Streisand doesn’t need to gyrate, or hide behind flashy production. She is the master at giving many a listener what they don’t know they really want: clarity, emotional, lyrical depth and a vocal ability unmatched.

Why should we rush? Light some candles, put a few logs on the fire for that nippy evening. LOVE IS THE ANSWER is an album tailored made for an evening of solitude or that special moment with a lover.

Favourite Tracks: ‘In The Wee Small Hours’, ‘Gentle Rain’, ‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most’, ‘Make Someone Happy’, ‘A Time For Love’, ‘Here’s That Rainy Day’, ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’, and ‘Some Other Time’ are just marvelous, with both orchestra and the quartet!

Save yourself the aggravation of reading the Billboard or Entertainment Weekly reviews of the album. Find out how much of a gem our Streisand still is and ALWAYS will be for yourself!!!

Ask Barbra, she knows not only a thing or two about Love and how to ‘Make Someone Happy’ but that indeed, LOVE IS THE ANSWER!

C. Kingsley

5/5