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Big Fan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 19
United Kingdom
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 03:02
What About Today?
Does anyone else love this album? It seems like a forgotten album of Barbra's as nobody ever seems to mention it. I think it's absolutely beautiful.
Her cover of Alfie is the best version of this song I have ever heard, and Until It's Time For You To Go is stunning.
I love the fun she brings to Honey Pie and Punky's Dilemma (with lyrics I dont think I'll ever understand the meaning of, but the simplicity of the arrangement is lovely)
Some of the songs, such as Little Tin Soldiers and The Morning After, sound quite political, which I'm guessing has to do with the Vietnam War. In retrospect they give an insight into how politics will be an important part of Barbra's life. I think Ask Yourself Why has a political theme too. When I listen to this song, I always imagine myself walking theough Central Park in the spring time (I must do it someday!)
I wasnt alive then, but the album gives me an idea into what it must have been like at the time. I cant stress enough how much I LOVE every song on this album!
Replies for this Forum Topic
I also have this album and sometimes I have to listen to certain songs from it because they get stuck in my head and the only way to get them out is to go back and listen to that particular song over and over again until it gets itself unstuck. My favortie one is, "Ask yourself Why?" It's one of those great songs! I don't know if it's political or not but I love it just the same!
I'm so glad you folks brought this up. My college room-mate gave me this album for my 19th b'day (yes, I'm ANCIENT) and although so different from anything of Barbra's in the past (or perhaps because of it), it really hit home. The title song is just amazing...I mean, who but Barbra could do it justice ?? It was also great hearing her sing "Alfie", the arrangement is absolutely breathtaking, it flows so beautifully, her phrasing is very a-typical of what one would expect from this movie theme turned "pop" standard (thanks to the very talented Dionne Warwick).
Did you ever hear the funny story about this song ?? If you own Timeless, the Concert, I believe Barbra says (I'm paraphrasing, of course) that she was riding in a cab on her way to a recording session and heard "Alfie" being played on the radio by someone she didn't recognize...she called the station and asked who it was and the answer was...Barbra herself ! Can you imagine ??
Back to "What about Today ?", I find it refreshing and full of delightful and meaningful, timeless (there's that world again) that are warm, powerful, lighthearted, and downright ORIGINAL. As you recall, she dedicated it to the "young people" who were trying to "change the world" and make it a better place. SHE made it a better place just by releasing it. My favorite is the very last song, the gentle "Goodnight" written by J. Lennon and P. McCartney, prominent voices of the 60's.
Ciao, folks...Fran from NJ
I like What About Today too ! New Streisand fans should always go back to the '60s to see that beautiful raw talent in a young woman who was determine to become The Greatest Star Evah !!! The cover of the LP is exquisite , the photography, the concept and coloration...ty for mentioning this Streisand treasure...what a gem !!!
It's really an under-appreciated album full of timeless renditions - "Little Tin Soldier" ; "Alfie"; "Ask Yourself Why"; "Until Its Time For You to Go."
I'm so happy you mentioned "Until it's Time for You to Go". I listened to this CD earlier today and what struck me was Barbra's ability to make this beautiful song very "conversational". Yes, the melody is exquisite, but listen to how she leads with the words, giving the lyric more power than it would normally have if sung by just any other performer. And "Little Tin Soldier" makes still moves me to tears. Many years ago I saw a TV News report on AUTISM; the child in the story was either totally unresponsive or became very agitiated, until he heard this song ! They got him a WALK-MAN (yes, I'm dating myself here...I still have mine) which let him
listen to it throughout the day. The psychologist said he believed this young boy was reacting to the SPIRIT invoked by Barbra's musicianship, her powerful voice, the sentiment behind it. That was nearly 20 years ago but I can remember it like it was yesterday. His mother owned, and played, other Streisand songs for the child, but this was his favorite. What a remarkable story ! Music, esp. Barbra's, is indeed the "universal language".
Fran from NJ
For years this album was considered Barbra's first, "failed" attempt to move into the pop groove. And in a way that was true. It has a weird mix of genres and the Broadway style arrangements for things like "A Fine Kind of Freedom" didn't really say contemporary, circa 1969. I also thought it was weird that at only 27, she was saluting "young people!" (She would conquer pop two years later with Stoney End of course).
Now, however, WAT can be appreciated for it's highlights, and there are many. I always loved her "Second Hand Rose" treatment of "Honey Pie" and "Little Tin Soldier" is very powerful. "Alfie" is classic--though at the time it was sort of over-recorded by every pop singer on earth, and I love "Goodnight." There is no such thing as any Streisand album devoid of several wonderful tracks and What About Today proves it.
This is one of my favorite Barbra albums.......I love it!
I listen to this album when I want to reflect on my youth. I was in college and I was having a tough time. I listen to the lyrics now and think of how it helped me to look to the future and not "watch life slip away". I still love the youthful sound in Barbras'
voice. She is exquisite now, but this album had all the raw beautiful talent. It was a very different time in our lives!