Simply Torch • Simply Streisand

For some reason, when I was thinking about doing my Saturday Night Torch post, I remembered being a young boy in my earlyish teens, buying the early albums of Barbra Streisand. My sister Kathy enjoyed her, with the more contemporary sounds of 'The Way We Were' and 'Live Concert at the Forum', and, of course, 'Funny Girl' and 'On A Clear Day'. In many ways, these were the early days of my musical education. I started finding the early albums - I know, how stereotypical can you get. But I found the first, second, third, and so on, when Streisand sung the classics, making magnificent recordings of some of the greatest songwriters of the time. And I also remembered her ninth studio album, 'Simply Streisand', and just how good that album can still make me feel. So this evening, I thought I would shard some great songs off that album.

'Simply Streisand was released in the Fall of 1967, while Barbra was busy shooing her first film role. So while she was busy being Fanny Brice for director William Wyler, she had this and 'A Christmas Album', quite the double play for a young Jewish girl. Streisand was in exceptional voice for the album, and in the liner notes, received high praise from a noted composer. Richard Rodgers wrote "No one is talented enough to sing with the depth of a fine cello or the lift of a climbing bird. Nobody, that is, except Barbra."And it is easy to agree with him on that one. Her voice had a richness and robust quality, as you can easily hear when she sings "The Nearness of You" by Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington. This wonderful song was featured in the 1938 film, 'Romance in the Dark'. This is the 1967 recording by the one and only Barbra Streisand.

My next song was first heard in the 1951 Broadway musical 'A Tree Grows In Brooklyn', written by Dorothy Fields and Arthur Schwartz. "Make The Man Love Me" is a wonderful love song, and it is easy to see why many great women wanted to record it. I remember on exceptional job done by the incredible Barbara Cook. This is Barbra's take on the song, so very much her. This is "Make The Man Love Me".

This was a big favorite of mine for a long time, and I still think it amazing. "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" was written by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and James Sherman for the magnificent Billie Holiday, and she did a great job. Billie and Barbra are two of nine performers I have singing the song in my collection, and the song still makes me happy. Barbra's more urgent, pining version remains a favrite. This is Brabra Streisand singing "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)".

It is interesting, for my last song of the evening was written by Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, and Vincent Youmans in 1929, and was first heard in the 1930 Broadway musical 'Great Day'. One of the more popular recordings was by Helen Morgan, who recrded it in the Fall of 1929. The song had lyrics by Billy Rose, who was the second husband of Fanny Brice, who Streisand was played on both stage and screen. And in the 1975 musical 'Funny Lady', a sequel to the film she was shooting, she recorded the song again. But in 1967, it was a track on the album 'Simply Streisand'. This is Barbra singing "More Than You Know".

You can purchase 'Simply Streisand' on iTunes and Amazon.

Dark Monday • It's Not Where You Start

Left: Tommy Tune and Ken Howard in 'Seesaw'. Right: Barbara Cook.

"It's Not Where You Start" written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the musical 'Seasaw', the 1973 musical with a troubled pre-Broadway run, but went on to have a very successful New York run. The show earned a Tony Award for Tommy Tune for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, and for Michael Bennett for Best Choreography. The show featured many excellent songs, but it is hard to not call "It's Not Where You Start" the standout, especially with a standout delivery by Tommy Tune in the original production. So I was delighted when I first found this great performance by the amazing Barbara Cook, and couldn't wait to share it with you! Here is Barbara Cook singing "It's Not Where You Start".

"It's Not Where You Start" can be found on 'Close As Pages in a Book', and amazing 1993 release. The album showcased the songs written by the great Dorothy Fields, and it is a wonderful part of my music collection. You can purchase it on iTunes and Amazon.

Confessions of Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli once said that when she was working on the 2010 release 'Confessions', she wanted the sound and feel to be like when you and your very talented friends were at a dinner party, and after a great meal start to congregate around the piano, with a drink in hand, singing songs everyone knew by heart. And that thought pretty much lines up with my thoughts on the Saturday night posts. So at the age of 64, Liza released 'Confessions', her first studio album in 15 years. The arrangements were simple and warm, much of the album focused on Liza's remarkable voice, and the piano stylings of her great friend, Billy Stritch. The result is perhaps the most intimate album Liza has ever released, with no sweeping arrangements or show-stopping numbers the daughter of Judy Garland had become known for. Instead, there were fourteen charming performances that prove the old gal has "it"! In this first clip, Liza sings a medley of two songs on the album. First is the veritable title song from the album, "Confession". The song was written by Howard Dietz & Arthur Schwartz for the Broadway musical 'The Band Wagon'. That is followed by "You Fascinate Me So" written in the late 1950s by Cy Coleman & Carolyn Leigh.

Next up, we have "If I Had You", a song written by James Campbell, Reginald Connelly and Ted Shapiro in 1928. The song quickly became a Jazz standard, and was sung by so many. On the album, it is a delicate song, sung with a sweetness by Minnelli, accompanied only by Stritch on the piano.

Next up, we are listening to "Close Your Eyes", a song written in 1933 by Bernice Petkere. This is just so damn charming, and Liza has a light and flirty feel to her performance. Once again, it is a simple and clean arrangement, with a nice Jazzy air. I'd love to be in the club while Liza was singing this. Oh, hell, who am I kidding? I'd love to be in that club not matter what song she is singing...

Our final song of the evening is "I Must Have That Man", written by Dorothy Fields & Jimmy McHugh for the Broadway musical 'Blackbirds of 1928'. The musical also included the iconic songs "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", and both songs were introduced by star Adelaide Hall. This song is perfect for Minnelli, a bluesy look at love.

I have to admit, I love this album. It is just filled to the brim with wonderful music being treated just the way it should be. And I think it is her best in a very long time, reminding me of some of my favorites, her early work. I hope you enjoyed this, as much as I did putting it together. You can purchase 'Confessions' on iTunes and Amazon.

Dark Monday • Gwen Verdon in 'Sweet Charity'

When you think about Broadway royalty, when you find a show with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a book by Neil Simon, that is a damn good start. Add in that the direction and choreography would be by Bob Fosse, and the leading lady played by Gwen Verdon, and I don't think you could go wrong. Well, that was the lineup for the 1966 Broadway production of 'Sweet Charity'. The production, which ran for over 600 performances, was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning one for Fosse's choreography. Here is a wonderful clip of the delicious Gwen Verdon singing "If My Friends Could See Me Now" on the Ed Sullivan show.

You can find the Sweet Charity Original Broadway Cast Album on both iTunes and Amazon.