Her biggest selling album, GUILTY is easily Barbra Streisand's best contemporary pop effort to date. Barry Gibb's skilled production hand gives GUILTY an added sense of cohesiveness, something that was sorely lacking from many of Streisand's late-seventies pop efforts. Gibb (along with Albhy Galuten and brothers Robin and Maurice) also had a hand in writing every one of the nine melodic songs and even duets on two of them.

Their pairing produced a monster hit with the riveting title track (#3 Pop, #5 Adult Contemporary), however it's actually the other Streisand-Gibb smash duet "What Kind Of Fool" (#10 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary) that proves to be the disc's show-stopper. Gibb's production and voice are an inarguable key to GUILTY's success, but it is Streisand's magnificent vocals that provide the album with it's soul - that's right SOUL! The chart-topping smash "Woman In Love" (#1 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary) was the leadoff single and stands a slice of pure pop perfection, with Streisand's performance as thrilling as any ever captured on record.

Amazingly enough for a pop record, the remaining six tracks more than hold up to the three big hits. The restrained ballads "Run Wild" and "The Love Inside" are absolutely gorgeous, while the seven minute-plus "Make It Like A Memory" plays out like mini-pop symphony. Barbra even ventures into dance territory with "Life Story" and the international hit "Promises" and really brings these tracks to life with a sexy exuberance. Even the slightly dated light funk of "Never Give Up" is a slinky delight. GUILTY was a massive hit upon release, hitting #1 on the Hot 200 and achieving Quintuple Platinum status in US sales and selling nearly 20 million copies worldwide. This success is hardly surprising as GUILTY is simply everything a pop album should be.

When this album came out in 1980, Barry Gibb was the 800-pound gorilla of pop producers--everything he touched turned to gold records and top ten hits, basically because every album he produced for another artist sounded like a Bee Gees record with someone else singing. "Guilty" is no exception. Barbra Streisand knew a hitmaker when she heard one, and the result is the best modern pop album she's ever done. Barry Gibb's wavering voice takes a lot of getting used to if you're not a Bee Gees fan, but "Guilty" and "What Kind Of Fool", the two duets between Barry and Barbra, are pure pop paradise. "Woman In Love" still blows me away after twenty years--it's the perfect match between singer and song (and I'm praying that some overblown diva doesn't decide to do a remake and ruin it forever). The beautifully arranged "Run Wild" will put a lump in the throat of a dead man, while "Promises" is a fun, danceable singalong. There are some down moments, like the oversung "Life Story", but overall "Guilty" has weathered the years well. And what's this about another pairing between Barbra and Barry? "Guilty II", perhaps . . . ?

She needs to produce more albums like this. Pure pop pleasure! Most of her recent albums have been so drab and unlistenable. Please, Barbra, return to making these great pop-oriented albums! Don't waste your beautiful voice and unique talent on the nondescript music that you've been recording lately. I miss the old Barbara! I hope she returns very soon.

It is amazing that after over 20 years, "Guilty" is still Streisand's largest selling album. Barry Gibb and his brothers have worked wonders with many female artists, but this is probably their best writing and production work (Grammy winners). Garnering 5 singles with 2 going to #1, this is Barbra's essential "pop" album. From the R&B laden title track to the softly, sultry "Run Wild", Streisand's voice is relished. The Gibb's really know how to focus on Barbra's strengths. The two duets are some of Barry Gibb's strongest vocals to date and all the songs are bouncy, pop masterpieces. Finishing off nicely with the extravagant "Make It Like A Memory", you'll just hit the 'play' button again. Great album. Great songs. Great memories.

still one of barbra's best efforts. cannot wait for the sequel this fall!