This review refers to the Barbra Streisand "Christmas Memories" CD.....

There is no doubt that this is one beautiful album. The music, the words, and Barbra's wonderful tones combine for a CD that will have anyone mesmerized, and leave fans delighted.Barbra seems to put her heart and soul into such classics as "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" and her rendition of "Ave Maria" is very moving and almost too beautiful for words.

There are twelve tracks including "A Christmas Love Song" a wonderful melody composed by Johnny Mandel and "I Remember" by Stephen Sondheim(see buying info for complete list).Most of the songs are dreamy, romantic and sentimental.As far as Streisand albums go, it's fabulous.

If you are looking for something really 'Christmassy' though, you won't find that here. As I said the music is beautiful, but it just doesn't say Christmas to me. This would be nice for a romantic dinner for two or just quiet listening for fans. There are no upbeat holdiay tunes included in the mix to bring good cheer.

The CD quality is excellent.Barbra's voice and the music fill the room wonderfully.

I would recommned this to fans who just can't get enough of Barbra, but not for a holiday party.

Happy Holidays...Laurie
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The greatest living pop singer of our time, lush orchestrations, emotional depth, surprising material -- it all adds up to one of her best albums. I'm rather amazed at some of the criticism levelled at this record for being too slow and too "down". Is this because it doesn't feature the same songs included on countless other Christmas albums? Or because the songs aren't instantly recognizable sing-alongs? As for the tone of the record, other than the masterful melancholy of "I Remember," and plea of "Grown-up Christmas List", the ten other tracks are either romantic and hopeful, and in every case, incredibly evocative of the holiday season. Not since "The Broadway Album" and "Yentl" has she sung with more passion and subtlety. She is the best ballad singer there is, and I don't mean the contrived power-pop ballad, but something far more adult and sophisticated. And has anyone listened to Streisand's first Christmas album recently? Besides the frenetic opener, "Jingle Bells", it's one slow ballad after another, and in this opinion, a less cohesive sound than this current Christmas album. This new work is a holiday album about spirit and emotion, and reminds us of what it is to be human and feel something. Stop and listen. This is music for our time, and the season.

I love Barbra's voice so much I bought this cd without sampling it first. I have to admit that if I had listened to it first I probably would not have bought it. All of the songs have the same general tone. They are all very soft and melodic with lots of orchestration. There aren't any peppy songs to break the mood. It's too bad she didn't experiment more. Listening to a song or two is fine but listening to the whole album makes me bored.

This album is classic Barbra: powerful but vulnerable, articulate yet emotional , truly passionate and musically inspired. On even the first listening I was moved to utter chills by "Grown-up Christmas List". I immediately responded to its lyrics in the context of our new, post September 11, world. "I Remember" is a somber choice for a Christmas album, but don't we all have some bitter holiday memories that never fade? "One God" is a joyously affirmative album finale that celebrates the triumph of Love over hatred and division. And, to me, that's the real Spirit of Christmas.

Much of the album is romantic and wistful, and I certainly enjoy that too. But these three songs are deeply compelling.

Bravo Barbra!

"Christmas Memories" contains Barbra Streisand's best vocals since "The Broadway Album" and some of the performances are career highs. The last four songs in particular are all outstanding... "My Grown Up Christmas List" is incredible, a new "Ave Maria", the hauntibly beautiful "Closer" and the perfect closing song "One God". The songs here are less traditional than on "A Christmas Album" and can appeal to people of all religions. Recorded live with a 90-piece orchestra, this new collection will no doubt be as great a classic as her first. The first 8 songs spin a mellow and pleasant Christmas atmosphere that will make excellent background music in many homes this holiday season, but it is songs like "My Grown Up Christmas List" that I dare radio stations to latch on to... how beautiful a sentiment to think of adults still having the same sense of joy at Christmas as they did as children, with only their wishes changing... Of course, "Closer" would be a great choice in these troubled times. This is undoubtedly Barbra Streisand's best album in many years... the lady has still got it!