What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman

by Barbra Streisand

Overview

Over the course of 50 years, Barbra Streisand has enjoyed a special relationship with Alan and Marilyn Bergman. All three are Brooklyn-born (in the same hospital, no less) and, as Streisand writes in the liner notes, she describes their relationship not only as a friendship but as a love affair. Produced by Streisand herself, What Matters Most presents ten of the Bergmans' songs that she had never sung before -- which makes this not just a set of re-recordings but a living document, and not just a tribute from a friend, but a set of great songs sung by a great singer. Alan and Marilyn Bergman's lyrical focus is the love song, or more precisely, love over the years. (Just examine the lyrics to a couple of the Bergman songs Streisand has already recorded, such as "The Way We Were," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?," and "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?") Obviously, Streisand knows this material very well, and she devotes the entire album to the type of soft, straightforward balladry that forces listeners' attention to her friends' lyrics. She never moves into swing -- not even when singing "Nice 'n' Easy," which Frank Sinatra made the centerpiece and opener of his 1960 LP of the same name. Although the arrangements and material are monochromatic, What Matters Most isn't a failure by any means, thanks to Barbra Streisand's interpretive skills (as well as her flair for drama and her ever-beautiful voice). That said, this is not a record for those who love precocious Streisand best (Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly!). ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	08/23/2011
Label:	Columbia / Smi Col / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886978625724
Rank:	108889

Tracks

1. The Windmills of Your Mind
2. Something New in My Life
3. Solitary Moon
4. Nice 'N' Easy
5. Alone in the World
6. So Many Stars
7. The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye
8. That Face
9. I'll Never Say Goodbye
10. What Matters Most

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barbra Streisand   Primary Artist
Chris Botti   Trumpet
Chuck Berghofer   Bass
Ian Martin   Bass
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
Gregg Field   Drums
John Chiodini   Guitar
Dean Parks   Guitar
Neil Stubenhaus   Bass
Randy Waldman   Piano
Tom Ranier   Piano
Dan Higgins   Saxophone
Gayle Levant   Harp
Peter Erskine   Drums

Technical Credits

Gary Klein   Producer
Bob Gaudio   Producer
Ivan Lins   Composer
Shari Sutcliffe   Project Coordinator
David Bett   Art Direction
Gina Zimmitti   Orchestra Contractor
Renata Buser   Personal Assistant
Kristin Lum   Art Direction
Camilla Morandi   Photography
Christie B. Thomas   Images
Russell James   Cover Photo
Richard Perry   Producer
Wally Gold   Producer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Marilyn Bergman   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Liner Notes
David Shire   Composer
Dave Reitzas   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Jay Landers   A&R,Liner Notes,Executive Producer
Vitor Martins   Composer
John Williams   Composer
Lew Spence   Composer
Peter Fletcher   Product Manager
Jerry Goldsmith   Composer
Michel Legrand   Composer,Producer
Tommy LiPuma   Producer
Armin Steiner   Engineer
Alan Bergman   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Liner Notes
Dave Grusin   Composer
William Ross   Arranger
Charles Koppelman   Executive Producer
Robbie Buchanan   Producer
Barbra Streisand   Producer,Liner Notes,Executive Producer
Marty Paich   Producer
Neil Diamond   Duet
Sergio Mendes   Composer
Patrick Williams   Arranger