BACK TO BROADWAY - Barbra Streisand

Personnel: Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Michael Crawford (vocals); Michael Thompson, Bob Mann, George Doering, Dean Parks (guitar); David Boruff (saxophone); Mark Portmann (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes, Scott Frankel, John Berkman (piano); Jeffrey "CJ" Vanston (keyboards, synthesizer); Mike Lang (keyboards); Simon Franglen (synthesizer, programming); Ian Underwood (synthesizer); Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus, Abraham Laboriel (bass); Mike Baird, Jeffrey Hamilton, Steven Schaffer (drums); Alan Estes, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Tony Smith (programming).
Producers: David Foster; Barbra Streisand, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nigel Wright.
Engineers include: Al Schmitt, Dave Reitzas, Humberto Gatica.
Includes liner notes by Barbra Streisand.
This is the long-awaited sequel to Streisand's 1985 release, THE BROADWAY ALBUM. Like its predecessor, BACK TO BROADWAY is a diverse collection of songs, ranging from the classic ("Luck Be A Lady" from GUYS AND DOLLS, "Some Enchanted Evening" from SOUTH PACIFIC) to the current (selections from SUNSET BOULEVARD). The album also features the kind of clever arrangements we've come to expect, and compelling vocal performances by Ms. Streisand.
Stephen Sondheim is once again well represented. Streisand enthusiastically takes on "Everybody Says Don't," Sondheim's vigorous ode to individual will, clearly sensing a connection to her own beleaguered life and career. "Move On," the closing track, is a clever conflation of two songs from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE that Sondheim put together at Streisand's request. Equally well represented is that other major force in contemporary musical theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber. "The Music Of The Night" is performed here as a duet with the original Phantom, Michael Crawford, and Streisand offers breathtaking performances of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and "With One Look." Other highlights include smoky renderings of Kurt Weill's "Speak Low" and the Gershwins' "The Man I Love."

• Genre: Pop
• Released: 02/01/2008
• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop
• Released: 02/01/2008
• Format: CD