"Sequel" albums are risky because they can easily pale in comparison to the original albums they're spinning off from. However, "Guilty Pleasures" is the exception to the rule. While it may not overtake "Guilty" in the quality department, it comes awfully close. Like "Guilty", La Streisand reunites with the dapper Barry Gibb (Both Barbra and Barry look even better twenty-five years later) to wrap her gorgeous voice around lovely pop originals such as the doo-wop flavored "Come Tomorrow", the single "Stranger In A Strange Land", and the tastefully disco-flavored "Night Of My Life."

The biggest surprise on this album is Barbra's interpretation of the Andy Gibb hit "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away". Here, Streisand transforms this teeny-bopperish hit into something beautiful to behold.

Barry Gibb is really the best producer for Streisand because he knows how to play up to her strengths without using bombastic production techniques. Barbra responds to Mr. Gibb's production and gorgeous background vocals with performances that are both majestic and earthy. Celine Dion would give her right arm for great material and production that is presented here.

Guilty Pleasures is definitely a guilty pleasure! I haven't stopped listening to it. It is simply one of Barbra's best albums! Here is my breakdown song by song:

Come Tomorrow: Wonderful duet with Barry, rich instrumental. I sway to the music-definitely a great prom song for couples to dance to!

Stranger: Great vocal, love the line "Give em hell before you go to heaven", Love the video and the message.

Hideaway- one of my FAVORITES on the album. Barbra has a very sexy playful vocal here. Love the Rio de Janiero line and superb saxophone. My favorite video of the four on the dvd.

It's Up to You- this song is still growing on me. A sweet song, almost sounds like a country song. Lovely instrumental.

Night of My Life- GREAT dance club song, her vocals soar! She sounds like she did 20 years ago- wish she would do a video for this song a la Emotion.

Above the Law- great duet, love both of their vocals, playful video, love Barbra's expressions in the video, nice compliment to "Guilty"

Without Your Love- terrific ballad, sounds like a Broadway song. Barbra does what she does best-interprets a song as if she were a character acting it.

All the Children- Great song!! and the guitars amazing!!

Golden Dawn- Amazing song, sexy vocal, beautiful instruments, this would be a great song for a movie and movie soundtrack.

Our Love Don't Throw it All Away- great vocals, this song is also growing on me as well.

Letting Go- She gives a great performance. The song gives me chills, love the line "the hunger seizes me and tears my soul apart" Just breathtaking.

We all know of albums where we may skip a song or two, but this is NOT one of them! I love every song for a different reason,there are so many "flavors" to the album. I can't think of any singer who can sing songs from pop, rock, disco/dance, and country like Barbra can! Barbra gives so much raw emotion in her songs that it makes you want more! Thank you Barbra for this collection of outstanding songs and gorgeous vocals! Thank you!! Barry ((you are a master)) and his sons for writing these magnificent songs and for producing the record. It is SIMPLY SUBLIME!!

No need to feel guilty about liking this album, especially if you were around in 1980 when "Guilty" came out. Produced by Barry Gibb and John Merchant, there are eleven original songs, written by Barry with his sons Ashley and Stephen, and one cover of Andy Gibb's "Our Love (Don't Throw it all Away)"

With the two decade nostalgia gap, it makes perfect sense for Barbra to revisit her biggest selling album, and both she and Barry look like they would hold up pretty well at any 25th reunion party.

Barbra has released over 60 albums and had hit singles galore, many memorable ones being duets with folk like Neil Diamond (1978), Donna Summer (1979), Barry Gibb (1980), Kim Carnes (1985), Don Johnson (1988), Bryan Adams (1996) and Celine Dion (1997). This album has two duets with Gibb, and could have used many more, once none of the other songs were taken off, that is.

First single "Stranger in a Strange Land" is a tribute to soldiers fallen while fighting wars overseas, and musically would be at home on any Bee Gees album. "Hideaway" sounded very familiar, then I realized that it was very similar to The Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money", which was done Bee Gees-style on the Sgt. Peppers soundtrack.

There are a lot of mellow, easy listening tunes on the album, all given the Barbra touch, but still very Barry. There's even a dance number "Night of My Life" which sounds a bit like "She's a Liar". The very dramatic "Without Your Love" and "Letting Go" are tracks that sound more Streisand than Gibb.

Relaxed and polished, Barbra's voice comes through loud and clear on this album, making it hard to believe that she's been entertaining us all for four decades.


Amanda Richards, September 23, 2005

A Wonderful Album From Begining To End!!!!! Barbra & Barry Are Back With Their Magical Ways!!! "Night Of My Life" & "All The Children" Are Beyond Words!!! The Ballads Let Streisand Do What She Does Best!!!! Some Great Classic Pop To Be Found Within This Cd!!!! Ten Stars!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbra Streisand's Guilty Pleasures has to be her best pop-oriented album to date. A couple of reviews have named it Guilty II after the 1980 album, but this album stands out on its own. There are plenty of standouts here such as Come Tomorrow, Stranger, Don't Throw It All Away, Letting Go, and others. It's more diverse in the genres here and Barbra has even a little bit of electronica going on in some of the ballads too. I love Night of My Life, perhaps the best example of bringing Barbra into 2005 with modern dance rhythms. She sounds uplifting and having fun on this song. The dance grooves may have been done by Barry Gibb and some musicians but they remind me of Armand Van Helden, Hani, Louie Devito Chris Cox or any of the hot dance producers/remixers out there. The other surprise is the adventurous Hideaway--makes me feel like I'm on a beach hearing it. Barbra was kind of stuck in a time warp for a few albums in the '90s, singing Broadway based songs, and standards. This is more of a musical extreme makeover for her with Guilty Pleasures as Barry Gibb provides her with wonderful and lush musical performances. I like here Above the Law duet with Barry more than Come Tommorrow. Barbra sounds better vocally and takes more chances. This has just as much a chance to get as many multiple awards nominations for the upcoming Grammys! For being 63, Barbra Streisand is proving that she wants to get back on top again with this album. And.... she needs to do a tour soon and perform these songs live! It would be a success and have many sellouts if it does happen!