Barbra Streisand found herself in a state of concern. After dedicating six days a week for six weeks to recording the audiobook of her 2023 memoir, “My Name is Barbra,” she was faced with the challenge of an album that would feature an impressive array of duet partners. These partners ranged from contemporary stars like Hozier and Sam Smith to iconic figures such as Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor. However, when producers played the new tracks for her, she found that her normally powerful voice was reduced to a squeak.
“I felt like my voice was failing me,” Streisand shared during a call from her home in Malibu, California. “I literally prayed in front of the microphone for my voice to come through for me. Miraculously, it did.”
Fans will have the opportunity to hear Streisand’s performances on Friday, with the release of her album “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2,” available in both physical and digital formats. Despite her initial misgivings, Streisand showcases that she can still deliver remarkable performances, while also encouraging her partners to do the same.
The long-overdue duet with Bob Dylan had been decades in the making. Back in 1970, Dylan had sent Streisand a bouquet accompanied by an intriguing note, supposedly written in crayon, inviting her to sing with him. Their paths eventually crossed years later, when their musical styles aligned. Streisand extended an invitation to Dylan by sending him her memoir, hoping that they could finally perform together as they once had in their Greenwich Village days.
The duo decided to reinterpret the classic Ray Noble song “The Very Thought of You,” a track that has been covered by legends like Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday. Though the choice seemed atypical for Streisand, it held special significance for her long-time manager Marty Erlichman. Dylan, known for his songwriting prowess, was surprisingly keen on singing a standard rather than one of his compositions. “Isn’t that wonderful?” Streisand remarked. “I would have sung anything with him.”
Respecting Dylan’s desire for privacy during recording, Streisand even asked her husband, James Brolin, to step out. “I had heard ‘Lay, Lady, Lay’ was written for me,” she recalled. “So we created this lush, romantic atmosphere for the recording.” Streisand described Dylan as receptive to her creative direction, much like an actor in one of her films.
Collaborating with Paul McCartney, however, proved to be a more nerve-wracking experience. The session was documented by a film crew led by Oscar-winning director Frank Marshall for a forthcoming documentary about Streisand. This added layer of scrutiny made the session particularly challenging. “He was naturally a bit hesitant, and I get it,” Streisand recounted about their time recording “My Valentine.” “Walking into a room full of people to sing is intimidating.”
McCartney acknowledged his own anxieties during the session on his website, sharing, “I thought it would be a breeze since it was my song, but adjusting the key to fit both our voices was quite complicated.” Despite the initial difficulties, they successfully collaborated, releasing “My Valentine” as one of the preview singles.
Another notable track, “Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self,” featuring Icelandic artist Laufey, quickly rose to the top of the iTunes charts. Streisand felt a strong connection to this song, reminiscent of a personal middle-school essay she had written, “My Thirteen Years.” This report, written in neat cursive, captured her life experiences, including the passing of her father, Emanuel.
Streisand’s reflection on her adolescent self coincides with her first recording experience at age 13 at Nola Studios in Manhattan. “The age of 13 was pivotal for me,” she said. Working with Laufey, Streisand revised the solo into a duet, portraying a dialogue between a young daughter and her mother.
Streisand is no stranger to the success of duet albums, having previously collaborated with Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, and others. However, she sees “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2” as a unique project. Streisand reveals that her concerns about global affairs and the state of politics, particularly under President Trump’s second term, may have influenced her choice of more somber themes. Covering songs like Sting’s “Fragile” and a duet version of “Love Will Survive” with Seal reflects her introspective mood.
At a recent dinner with U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Streisand reportedly discussed the political climate, describing it as rife with chaos and corruption, characteristics she associates with Trump’s administration. Nevertheless, Streisand is committed to her personal resolution of finding more enjoyment in life.
“The Secret of Life,” inspired by James Taylor’s song and a cherished children’s book she reads to her grandchildren, has made her contemplate what truly enriches her life. “It’s about cherishing time with loved ones,” she said, planning to share personal photos engaging in this philosophy. As Streisand strives to savor the present, she acknowledges that her fulfilling life is grounded in her cherished relationships.
In summary, Streisand is embracing a time of reflection, looking to cherish the moments she spends with family, friends, and her beloved pets, embodying the ethos of “stop and smell the roses.”