Lazy Afternoon

I have a fair number of Barbra's cd's (15 or so) - her classic and gorgeous "Lazy Afternoon", from 1975, is still my favorite. When I had the 8-track(!!) back in the 70's, I played this thing to death and still think it's awesome, beautiful, and brilliantly done. The opening title track is, ALONE, worth the price, but there are so many other great tunes included, as well. Composer, singer/songwriter, musician, and arranger Rupert Holmes produced "Lazy Afternoon", along with Jeffrey Lesser, and he contributed four of his own songs on the recording, one of which, "By The Way", was written with Barbra when she was working out some keys for arrangements on a piano. Streisand came up with the actual melody for this emotional & extraordinary piece. Barbra had a copy of Rupert's 1974 album, "Widescreen" on Epic Records, and was a great admirer of his songwriting skills on it. She asked him if she could record two songs from it, which included "Letters That Cross In The Mail", and the incredible title track, "Widescreen". This particular piece was most unusual as it had a deep, emotional effect on Streisand - she asked Holmes to write new lyrics for it, which he did. Streisand also loved his poignant tune, "My Father's Song", which was included on "Lazy Afternoon", as well. She and Rupert would go on to collaborate on several more of her albums, including "A Star Is Born", "Just For The Record", and "Superman". On "Lazy Afternoon", Holmes was also the arranger and conductor on it. The one tune on "Lazy" I can do without is the brief and disco-flavored "Shake Me, Wake Me", which was an earlier hit covered by The Four Tops - in 1975, the disco scene was in early motion and "Shake Me" was even released by Columbia as an extended 12" dance single. It was the only time she ever did this and happened so early on in the disco-dance era that commercial 12" singles were not even being produced yet. "I Never Had It So Good" (Paul Williams/Roger Nichols) follows "Shake Me" and brings the recording back into focus with its fine lyrics and gentle tone. Streisand heard "You And I" by Stevie Wonder, loved it, and included it on "Lazy" with a heartfelt performance. Babs really digs into the classic torch "Moanin' Low", originally written in 1929, and updated here with a jazzy big band and orchestra with great arrangements by Holmes. The most fragile and sensitive piece on the record, "A Child Is Born", follows this and is a brilliant duo with just Barbra singing the tender lyrics by Marilyn/Alan Bergman and Holmes on acoustic piano - magnificent, timeless, and hauntingly beautiful. It was originally written by legendary jazz composer/musician Dave Gru- sin for Streisand's 1972 film "Up The Sandbox", but was never used in the the movie when released. A fully orchestrated version of "Child" was recorded by Barbra and Holmes, but is still in the vaults. Streisand felt the gentle duo version of the piece was more appropriate for the theme and lyrics. The great classical pian- ist, Glenn Gould, called "A Child Is Born" his favorite Streisand song. As often occurs, there are several other tunes, as well, that were recorded for "Lazy Afternoon" that have still not been released yet - these include another Rupert Holmes song called "Everything", and an Ed Kleban piece called "Better" which features an arrangement by Holmes. Hopefully, these will all see the light of day in the near future. Barbra Streisand once called "Lazy Afternoon" her own personal favorite album of the many she has done over the years and because of its overall excellence and stellar production, it's easy to see why. It was a great success when released by Columbia in 1975, charting at #12 on the Billboard 200, and certified gold by the RIAA in April 1976. Featured soloists on the recording included David Foster on electric piano, legendary jazz guitar and studio players Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, and Jay Graydon, along with the marvelous jazz trumpeter Chuck Findley. Beautifully recorded, arranged, and produced with Barbra's incredible vocals leading the way, "Lazy Afternoon" is, indeed, a timeless classic by one of the greatest and talented artists of our time. In reflecting back on the "Lazy" recording sessions, Rupert Holmes commented about Barbra, "She is the easiest person to produce, the easiest just as long as you allow her to do what she feels is her best work. For instance, she will cut a track and you say, 'Great.' Then she will say, 'I think I can get it better.' 'Are you sure? Because you can't get it better.' Then she will say, 'I'll do it once more.' And it does get better. In the end you look like a genius simply for nodding your head...Once she asked me to rearrange a number, which I thought was a good arrangement. It was a drag, but she wanted it TO WORK better, and in the end it did. I was grateful to her for making me demand more of myself, what she demands of herself." "Lazy Afternoon" album numbers: Debut Chart Date: 11-1-75 No. Weeks on Billboard 200 Albums Chart: 20 Peak Chart Position: #12 Gold: 4/14/76 Gold: 500,000 units shipped "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" white label d.j. 12" dance single released by Columbia w/4:55 minute stereo "Disco Version" mix on one side and a mono mix on the other side. VERY rare and expensive now.

For Barbra Streisand fans, this is a gem of a recording. It's a bit laid-back in my opinion but her voice and the production is amazing. Add this to your Barbra collection.

Bab's 1975 album Lazy Afternoon a classic featuring the arrangements and playing of one" British, David Goldstein (Rupert Holmes" to the Westchester County NY village of Nyack on the Hudson, was instrumental in helping Barbra create this classic , her handling of the Title plus the rousing big band treatment of Moanin' Low. Using Rupert ,who several years before gave us, Timothy in 1971( about cannibalism, now making his in roads that would lead to his further success in 1979's Partners in Crime(Pina Colada Song, and Him. Along with Peter Matz and a young Canadian pianist, David Foster help create the modern techno sounds you hear throughout the album. And you can hear again her stretching her musical talents and using premier 70's musicians and composers.

not a big fan of all the songs but her voice is at the pinnacle of her career

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A PERSONAL, FROM THE HEART LP. I BELIEVE IT MORE THAN EVER NOW. SOMEHOW AFTER LISTENING TO THIS CD, YOU FEEL YOU KNOW ALITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE SINGER...SHE'S OPENING UP. WHEN THE LP CAME OUT I WORE IT OUT. "BY THE WAY" THANK YOU BARBRA STREISAND.

This Cd Finds Barbra Streisand In Glorious Voice! The Painted Beauty Of The Title Track Is Beyond Words. Every Song On This Cd Is Stunningly Sung,My Personal Favorites Are: "By The Way"-The Lyric & Melody Are Perfect For One Another. "I Never Had It So Good"- One Of Barbra's Best!!! "Letters That Cross In The Mail"- Should Have Been One Of Her Greatest Hits, The Lyric Is Sweeping, Moving & Breathtaking All At Once!! She Will Never Be Replaced As The Greatest Singer Of Our Or Any Time!!! A National Treasure!!

Bought this for Stevie Wonder's Song,You and I.Moanin Low andLazy AfternoonThis is one of ms.Streisand's what i would say is her experimental albums.

Item as described. Thank you.

bel disco della Streisand anni 70

Excellent tunes and vocals by Streisand.

ルバートホルムズのプロデュースによるアルバムで、以前からリマスター盤の再発を待っていたが中々出そうも無いので諦めて購入。 音質はそれほど悪くなかった。タイトル曲の他スティビーワンダーなど名曲なども散りばめられとても良いアルバムだと思う。

Eines ihrer schönsten Alben. Mit viel Hingabe und Gefühl bietet sie ein abwechslungsreiches Album nicht nur den faulen( chilligen) Nachmittag an.

Good Cd