My admiration for Barbra Streisand spans the years since 1980, when I watched her perform the song “You Don't Bring Me Flowers” with Neil Diamond at the televised Grammy Awards. I was immediately enraptured by the pairing of two of the most romantic voices  ever: pure, dramatic, void of the trappings of the recording studio. That singular performance left me with a new understanding of the term “vocal power” and a profound appreciation of Ms Streisand's musical artistry.

Over twenty years (and dozens of albums) later, I am still enthralled by that voice, which has only gotten better with the passing of time.

in other words

“I advise you to watch Barbra Streisand's career. This young lady (a mere twenty) has a stunning future. Keep listening, keep watching. And please remember, I told you so.”

— Harold Arlen, American composer, 1963

“Barbra Streisand is one of those miracles which comes along once in a lifetime, even in America where the sensational apparently never ceases to fluorish. She is mad with talent and more gifted than any human being should be permitted to be.”

— Maurice Chevalier, French singer/songwriter, 1966

“Nobody is talented enough to get laughs, to bring tears, to sing with the depth of a fine cello or the lift of a climbing bird. Nobody, that is, except Barbra. She makes our musical world a much happier place than it was before.”

— Richard Rodgers, American composer, 1967

“Barbra Streisand's natural ability to make music takes her over to the classical field with extraordinary ease. In her sensitive, straight-forward, enormously appealing performance, she has given us a very special musical experience.”

— Leonard Bernstein, American composer, 1976

“The Streisand persona has always been larger than life. Call it perfectionism, call it conscientiousness, but reduced to its simplest element, you are left with a woman to whom the quality of the work is the final arbiter. She is an artist whose commitment pushes her to the heights of excellence. Yet, that very same commitment often invites criticism, perhaps because she is a woman–a woman who speaks her mind and dares to succeed.”

— Rochelle L. Levy of the American Film Institute (AFI), in presenting Ms Streisand with AFI’s 29th Life Achievement Award, 2001

“Barbra Streisand stands alone. No other voice can rise and rise like hers, shimmering upwards, octave after octave, before slinking raunchily, throatily, back down. It is gorgeous.”

— Nigel Farndale, British journalist, 2003

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