Funny Girl

funny girl soundtrack

THIS MOVIE/SOUNDTRACK JUST REMINDS ME OF WHEN I WAS CHILD.. WHEN I SAW IT I HAD TO HAVE IT!! I THINK I LISTENTED TO IT FOR 2 DAYS STRAIGHT.. LOL
LOVE IT!!! July 12, 2008

GREAT!

This movie soundtrack is as good as the Broadway original recording, with Barbra Streisand in both cases. A wonderful musical approach to the life of the divine Fanny Brice from the Zigfeld Follies. Classical songs with Streisand at her very best moment. Not to be missed. May 9, 2008

a voice that speaks a thousand words

In FUNNY GIRL, Streisand's range is as outstanding as her earlier albums. She creates characters within her songs, which are either humurous, dramatic or romantic. The exception in a Streisand soundtrack is that we follow the different emotions and progressive experiences of one personality through each song. The music in this album is exquisite and Streisand's voice is at her usual peak. You really hear in the voice the various characterizations she gives to each of the performances. Whether you're listening to the humour and innocence of 'I'm The Greatest Star', the frustration in 'Don't Rain On My Parade' or the deep and romantic emotions of 'People', you're never quite prepared for the climax of 'My Man'. You realize Streisand has held everything suspended for those last few moments in this incredible song and she grabs you in the gut! She's quite the conceptual artist. Streisand really knows how to tell a story within the context of the character she portrays through music and song. February 9, 2008

The greatest soundtrack from the greatest star!

A notable name before Funny Girl, Barbra Streisand became a superstar as well as a bankable actress when the film was released in 1968. Like most musicals, a soundtrack was released, and not only is it one of the best musical soundtracks, it is one of Barbra Streisand's best albums.

"Overture" is the first track, and while pleasant and setting the mood, is not really a necessary piece of music to listen to on here. B-

"I'm the Greatest Star" is a great song to begin, and truly sets the tone for most of the album. It shows Barbra's ability to poke fun at herself. A

"If A Girl Isn't Pretty" isn't so much sung, but spoken-sung by older women in the movie who played Barbra's mother and her friends. It's okay, but again, most people who buy this won't want or need to hear it. C+

"Roller Skate Rag" is another okay song, which works better in the movie than on CD. But it's quick and pleasant enough. B-

"I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy With Somebody Else)" is a beautiful song, which shows Barbra at her early best, not only singing the song, but acting it. A

"His Love Makes Me Beautiful" is another song that doesn't really work as a track alone, but is another pleasant diversion. B-

"People" is one of Barbra's most famous songs. This version is different than her top ten hit from a few years before, but is actually a little better. A

"You Are Woman, I Am Man" is a surprisingly effective duet between Streisand and her co-star, Omar Sharif. He actually pulls off his vocals well (even if they aren't very strong), and she of course sings well. B+

"Don't Rain On My Parade" is another of Barbra's signature songs, but the song is irresistibly addictive. She's truly acting it out here, and makes it as good as it is. A

"Sadie Sadie" is a nice little song, which helps turn the album in a different direction, even if it is a little cartoonish for its own good. B+

"The Swan," again, is a song that works better in the movie than on the CD, and is pretty unnecessary since Barbra's singing is limited, and when done, is done in a forced tone to sound silly. C

"Funny Girl," written especially for the movie, is a lovely song, which, while not very memorable, is one of the more pleasant tracks. B

"My Man" is a fantastic song to be included, and Barbra pulls it off beautifully. Originally recorded for her My Name is Barbra album a few years before, this version is much better, and more heartbreaking. A

"Finale" is a must-listen track, even if it is the score for the credits. Mostly containing the tune to "People," the orchestra's instruments swell at the perfect times, giving the listener shivers, as well as a reminder as to why the song "People" has become such a classic. A

The movie was a highlight to Barbra's career as well as the start, cemented with her winning the Oscar for best actress. Needless to say, this album is a must-have for anyone who calls themselves a fan.

November 4, 2007

it doesn't get better than this.....

This soundtrack takes me back. I was probably about six years old when I first heard the soundtrack from FUNNY GIRL, the successful movie musical based on the life story of the late great vaudevillian, Fanny Brice. Though, Brice was not conventionally beautiful, she made quite an impression on those sitting in the theaters she performed in. The woman truly was a gifted and accomplished stand up comedian. She didn't even have to stand up to do it--she was perfectly good at it while slipping in rollerskates, dancing in a parody of Swan Like [Chicken Ballet], and sitting down while singing a torch song.

How did the life story of Fanny Brice transfer to the screen, and on vinyl and CD? It was done with style, class and great humor. What's more, a wonderful score by Jule Styne did wonders in conveying the range of emotions, triumphs and successes that Brice experienced during the course of her career--this encompasses her formative years as a young performer, to her more "domesticated" years [if you can call them that!]. FUNNY GIRL was also a star-making vehicle for [then] twenty-one year old Barbra Streisand. The score includes the larger-than-life "I'm The Greatest Star," the hilarious "His Love Makes Me Beautiful," and one of Streisand's most recognized songs, "People." You will love this soundtrack, and I guarantee it will make you want to see the film afterwards. Though, as a little girl, I felt as though this music was filled with so much color and life already, I could SEE the film through hearing the songs. Brilliant and incomparable. July 18, 2007

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