Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Barbra Streisand's new album "Partners" finds her pairing with male superstars from Billy Joel, Lionel Richie, to Blake Shelton and Andrea Bocelli on covers of her songs and standards. Co-produced by Babyface (who sings with her on "Evergreen" as well as the lovely horn-sprinkled "Lost Inside Of You" - the latter on the deluxe edition), the album finds Streisand in fine form, even if she's not as fiery as when these were originally recorded. The big band Jazzy "It Had To Be You" opens the collection, a vibrant duet with Michael Bublé. A youthful-sounding Stevie Wonder duets and plays harmonica on the enchanting "People" (with a Bossa Nova lilt), while John Mayer lends his voice and Bluesy guitar to "Come Rain Or Come Shine". Other standouts include the grandiose "I Still Can See Your Face" with Andrea Bocelli (this has got to be the standout vocal performance), "How Deep Is The Ocean" with her son Jason Gould whom she gives room to shine (and he sounds almost as good as his mother, a bit like George Michael), "What Kind Of Fool" with John Legend's soulful croon against an elegiac string/piano backdrop after an ornate orchestral overture, a theatrical "Somewhere" with Josh Groban, and a reverent "Love Me Tender" with Elvis and delicate guitars. I have to confess, I found "The Way We Were" with Lionel Richie disappointing. This is one of my favourite Streisand songs, but the arrangement falls flat and Richie seems intimidated vocally. "I've Got A Crush On You" with Frank Sinatra appears on the deluxe, as well as "I Finally Found Someone" with Bryan Adams, "I Won't Be The One To Let Go" with Barry Manilow, and "Guilty" with Barry Gibb, all previously released. The soft musical arrangements range from Jazzy to Blues to Classical, and her phrasing is impeccable as ever. It is nice to hear lush strings, real percussion, guitars, and great voices, a welcome respite from the clatter on the charts. Barbra is the real deal. Here's hoping this gives her the 10th #1 album of her career.