I picked up this "sort-of-boxed set" at a relatively inexpensive

price, and I must say it's well worth it. I am a huge fan of

Miss Barbra, but never got around to buying the individual CD's

of "The Way We Were" or "A Star Is Born". "Funny Girl" I did

own in it's original CD incarnation. Now you can purchase all

three for less money than you would spend if you got them

separately. They come housed in a long box with a very attractive Early 70's-era photo of Babs on the cover. Inside

are the three CD's and the 3 insert booklets you'd find with

the individual CD's. All three CD's have been recently

remastered, and all sound great. All in all, a good idea.

And now, the CDs themselves:

What can you say about "Funny Girl" that any fan hasn't said

a thousand times before? One of the greatest musical comedy

performances of all-time, and perhaps the most auspicious film

debut by a major actor or actress EVER. Barbra, on this CD,

shows just why people were just astonished by her talent in the

early years. The individuality, charisma, vocal tone and just

plain greatness are evident here, even without the visuals of

the movie. And the score is fantastic.

"The Way We Were" is one of her best pop albums, all the more

surprising when you realize it was basically a slapdash affair,

put together to capitalize on the hit single and success of the

film. There is not one bad performance on this disc, and there

are several classics besides the title hit. It's amazing, and

here Barbra's voice is at it's peak (and that was a LONG peak!).

"A Star Is Born" might not be on everyone's "Best of Barbra"

list, but almost 30 years after the film, listening to the

music alone, it is very enjoyable. Yes, there are a few "rockin"

songs that misfire, but the ones that do succeed are just

sublime. "Woman In The Moon", in spite of the dated feminist

sentiments, is one of the most awesome displays of vocal talent

Barbra has ever recorded! Truly soaring vocals. "Evergreen"

of course is a bonafide classic, and the finale of "With One More

Look At You/Watch Closely Now" is better on CD without the

distraction of Barbra's "groovy dancing" in the movie. Just

great.

All in all, a very enjoyable sampler of 3 different stops along

the Streisand "Musical Timeline".

From the top, she's the top. The top female vocalist of our time. That said, most people (certainly even her medium fans) already own these three "albums". It certainly is an eclectic group of several of Streisand's biggest sellers in her long and storied career.

You don't get much more Broadway/Hollywood than the motion picture soundtrack to FUNNY GIRL (where she won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actress along with the legendary Katharine Hepburn in a historic tie). THE WAY WE WERE (where she should have won Best Actress flat-out and a Grammy for best female vocal, but didn't) has always been a favorite studio collection for many Streisand fans, and it truly is like two albums in one... the more contemporary selections (Paul Simon, Carole King, Stevie Wonder, etc.) of "side one" closing, more or less, with a tribute to the beautiful lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergan.

Then, it's off to the Grammy-winning A STAR IS BORN. Had there not been the huge #1 success of this album, the fans might never have been treated to the rockish GUILTY album (not on this set) that finished out the decade. And many may well not remember what a huge seller STAR was, as a film, and in this case, as a soundtrack. It was right up there, sales-wise, with other huge albums by Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles.

As a sidenote to the music, the cover is a beautiful shot of Barbra Streisand with her longish hair. So, if you are just discovering Streisand (you're either very young or have been living in a cave), this is a terrific way to start your collection. The liner notes for each are included inside.

Now, if you're looking for extras, you won't find them here. Might I suggest to Sony a collection of STONEY END, BARBRA JOAN, and LIVE CONCERT AT THE FORUM... all three produced by the brilliant Richard Perry. And how about some outtakes this time around rescued from the vaults that didn't make Streisand's incredible boxed set, JUST FOR THE RECORD?!