| Product Summary | | Label: Sony/columbia | | UPC: 00696998592025 | | Release Date: 10/30/2001 | | Buy.com Sku: 60509732 | | Item#: MNYCQN | | Buy.com Sales Rank: 2178 | Format:  CD |
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| An album of inspirational music for all seasons, Christmas Memories--Barbra Streisand's first seasonal collection since the perennial bestseller A Christmas Album, released in 1967--is "lovingly dedicated" to Stephan Weiss--the husband of designer Donna Karan and a close friend of Streisand's--who passed away last June 2001. One of the album's most moving new songs, "Closer," is discussed by Streisand in her notes to the album: "Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow had written a new love song for me, about wanting to be 'closer' to that special someone at Christmas. It was a beautiful melody, but I wanted something more personal--about losing someone you love. Dean agreed to revisit his lyric, and what he came up with perfectly captured what I wanted to say." Christmas Memories includes "I Remember," an early Stephen Sondheim composition originally written for a television musical called Evening Primrose. Though initially a non-holiday composition, Streisand asked Sondheim to "add a verse to make it more appropriate for this album. He brilliantly turned it into a kind of remembrance of Christmas' past." On Streisand's first holiday record, she performed "Ave Maria", the melody composed by the 19th century French composer Charles Gounod. She revisits "Ave Maria" on Christmas Memories, this time drawing on the melody written by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert in 1825. "Its deeply devotional melody resonates no matter what religion you may be," Streisand has written in the album's notes. The universality of faith and spirit is again addressed on her powerfully moving performance of "One God." Streisand first heard the song at the age of 16 on Good Night, Dear Lord, a spiritual album recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1958. "The message is that no matter what God you may pray to--love and compassion is the basis of all religion," writes Streisand. "Each of us is connected to this family of man. This is something I truly believe in...unity and oneness. It seemed like an especially meaningful thought during these holidays...and a good way to end the album." The executive producers for the album are Barbra Streisand and Jay Landers. In his own liner notes for the album, Landers has written: "In this day and age when the true spirit of the holidays is sometimes lost amidst a frenzy of commercialization, it's nice to know that certain gifts will last long beyond the greeting cards and colorful wrapping paper. Some things are of our time...and some are for all time. This disc is one of those--music to enjoy not only at Christmas, but throughout the year...a precious expression from the heart-- by one of creations' greatest gifts...Barbra Streisand."
| | Album Notes and Credits |
Notes & Personnel Info |  | Personnel includes: Barbra Streisand (vocals); Dean Parks, George Doering, Michael Thompson, Michael Landau, John Chiodini (guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); Gary Grant (horn); Randy Waldman, Tom Rainer, Mike Lang, David Foster, Robbie Buchanan (keyboards); Neil Stubenhaus, Chuck Domanico, Dave Carpenter (bass); John Robinson, Peter Erskine, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Wendi Wagner, Sue Ann Carwell (background vocals). | | Recorded between July 19, 2001 and September 7, 2001. Includes liner notes by Jay Landers. | | CHRISTMAS MEMORIES was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best | | Traditional Pop Vocal Album. | | Personnel: Barbra Streisand (vocals); Dean Parks, Michael Hart Thompson , John Chiodini, Michael Landau, George Doering (guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); Gary Grant (horns); Mike Lang, Randy Waldman, Robbie Buchanan, Tom Ranier, David Foster (keyboards); Neil Stubenhaus (electric bass); John "J.R." Robinson , Peter Erskine, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Wendi Wagner, Sue Ann Carwell (background vocals). | | Audio Mixers: Dave Reitzas; Felipe Elgueta; Bill Schnee. | | Liner Note Authors: Jay Landers ; Barbra Streisand. | | Recording information: Chartmaker Studios, Malibu (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); Encore Studios, Burbank, CA (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); Grandma's House, Malibu (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); O'Henry Sound Studio, Burbank, CA (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); Sony Pictures Studios, Inc., Culver City, CA (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); The Hop North, No. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (07/19/2001-09/07/2001); Todd-AO Scoring, Studio City, CA (07/19/2001-09/07/2001). | | Photographers: Ian Logan; Firooz Zahedi. | | Arrangers: Chris Boardman; Eddie Karam; Don Costa; Robbie Buchanan; William Ross; Jorge Calandrelli. | | Barbra Streisand's first new holiday album in 34 years makes for a special occasion amongst her legions of fans. CHRISTMAS MEMORIES, released within two months of the World Trade Center tragedy, is definitely a soothing, inspirational remedy for troubled times. "I'll be Home for Christmas" has been recorded hundreds of times, but in the context of American troops fighting abroad, the song becomes especially poignant. Barbra does a masterful take, with a polished, orchestral arrangement. Still glowing from saying "I Do" to actor James Brolin, Streisand shines on "A Christmas Love Song." | | Break out the chestnuts and eggnog as Babs warmly reminisces with vivid imagery on the Sondheim-penned "I Remember." Having recorded Gounod's "Ave Maria" on her first Christmas album, Barbra now brings that same passion to Schubert's version. Backed by a choir, the grandiose track resonates powerfully. Her voice soars to especially grand heights over a majestic arrangement on "One God," a song she first heard on a spiritual album by Johnny Mathis, and brings her unique style to the forefront on CHRISTMAS MEMORIES. |
Producer: Jay Landers; Robbie Buchanan; William Ross; Barbra Streisand; David Foster |
Engineer: Chris Brooke; Koji Egawa; Pat Weber; Sue McLean; David Reitzas; Felipe Elgueta; Mark Eshelman; Humberto Gatica; Jason Lloyd; Justin Smith; Al Schmitt; Nathaniel Kunkel; Peter Doell; Scott Erickson; Bill Smith; Alex Rodriguez |
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| | Technical Info | | Release Date : 10/30/2001 | | Original Release Date : 2001 | | Catalog ID : 85920 | | Label : Columbia (USA) | | Number of Discs : 1 | | Studio/Live : Studio | | Mono/Stereo : Stereo | | SPAR Code : n/a | | UPC : 00696998592025 |
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| | Professional Reviews | | Entertainment Weekly (11/30/01, pp.89-90)
- "...This is her best-chosen studio set in years, even decades..." - Rating: B |
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