Iconic actress and singer Barbra Streisand delivers one of her best albums in years with her politically and socially-charged tour de force, Walls.

“This collection of songs reflects what’s been on my mind lately.  These are troubling times, and I felt compelled to add my voice to the dialogue some of us have been having.” Preach Barbra Streisand, preach.  Streisand remains active into her 70s, and it’s definitely not only a blessing for her, but a blessing for the listeners.  She sounds absolutely terrific at 76 years throughout the course of her latest album, Walls, which reacts and reflects upon the political and social unrest of current times.  Simply put, Barbra is on-point from start to finish.

“What’s on My Mind”

“Sometimes my eyes just want to cry / How did we come to this divide? / Is this God’s creation?” Walls begins with a compelling, socially-charged ballad, ☑ “What’s on My Mind.” Fittingly, Streisand speaks about the turbulent times, specifically in 2018.  Co-produced by Streisand alongside veteran producer Walter Afanasieff, the backdrop is incredibly suitable for Streisand. ☑ “Don’t Lie to Me” follows, featuring an even more contemporary flare.  Co-written by a team including producer John Shanks, the accompaniment supporting Streisand is perfect fuel for her fire.  She’s most potent when she sings, “How do you sleep when the world keeps turning? / All that we built has come undone.”  It is a damning, but again, fitting portrait of the state of the world in 2018.

“Imagine / What a Wonderful World”

Streisand’s bread is often buttered with covers, and a mash-up of ☑ “Imagine / What a Wonderful World” is no exception.  Two of the great standards of American music – one rock and one jazz – Streisand delivers a simply radiant performance.  Moody, minor-key title track “Walls” follows, with is dramatic piano and lush strings.  Despite the constraint of the walls (“In every city, every town we would have that better day / If all the walls came tumbling down”), Streisand’s ‘once in a lifetime’ instrument remains angelic at 76 years young. Desmond Child puts his pen to work on “Lady Liberty,” yet another record examining America’s need to do better – step up our game collectively.

“Lady Liberty

I see you rise above the crashing waves

Bearing with us to our darkest days

Like that terrible September

When we stopped and cried together

Remember?”

“What the World Needs Now”

Barbra Streisand breathes new life into the Burt Bacharach and Hal David gem, ☑ “What the World Needs Now.” Notably, she gets assists from two giants – Michael McDonald and Babyface.  Making this a compelling cover, “What the World Needs Now” begins lush and dramatic, set to slow pace.  Soon enough, the record embraces groove, giving the record more of a soulful vibe, which recalls 70s Marvin Gaye, one of the most socially-conscious artists of them all.  Following the spark of “What the World Needs Now,” “Better Angels” begins in a minor key, before switching course on the chorus.  The sound is clearly representative of David Foster’s production work, in all its delicious, balanced glory.

“Love is the most powerful force for good in the universe… it transcends race, religion, and sexual orientation.” That commentary is prudent from ‘Babs’ regarding the lovely ☑ “Love’s Never Wrong.” Once more, Walter Afanasieff is behind the boards (including the keyboards), along with co-arranging the orchestra with William Ross.  The orchestration is incredibly effective in its own right, matching the highs of Streisand’s golden pipes.  Streisand once more co-writes on “The Rain Will Fall,” a record that uses rain and water metaphorically.  In her commentary about the record, Streisand speaks of a “subconscious reaction to the unending downpour of half-truths and fabrications… Somehow, we’re supposed to buy into these torrents of delusion where up is down and facts are fake.” If that doesn’t speak to ‘the resistance’ – anti-Trump if you will – then I don’t know what does.  Get it Babs.

“Take Care of This House”

Penultimate cut “Take Care of This House” hails from a Leonard Bernstein/ Alan Jay Lerner musical, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976).  Naturally, it’s another politically-charged, socially-conscious number, even pre-dating the current state of the United States.  Streisand provides some of her most passionate commentary regarding closer “Happy Days are Here Again.” She states:

“While I sing ‘Happy Days’ in 2018 with deep despair, I hope that in the not-so-distant future, I’ll be able to sing it again the way FDR used it as his 1932 presidential campaign theme song: To celebrate the times with optimism and with confidence that hour best days are yet to come.”

“Happy Days are Here Again” ends up being an awesome way to conclude Walls.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Barbra Streisand delivers the perfect album for ‘times like these.’ Walls finds Streisand in excellent voice, delivering a successful blend of old and new material.  Yes, she’s 76, but she sounds absolutely terrific, further amplified by a team of writers and producers that gets the very best out of her.

☑ Gems: “What’s on My Mind,” “Don’t Lie to Me,” “Imagine / What a Wonderful World,” “Walls,” “What the World Needs Now” & “Love’s Never Wrong”

Barbra Streisand » Walls » Columbia » Release: 11.2.18

Photo Credit: Columbia