Latest news with #duets
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Barbra Streisand on Her New Album, Not Being Paid Enough for ‘Meet the Fockers' and if She'll Ever Direct or Perform Live Again
Barbra Streisand hasn't stopped working since launching her professional singing career 65 years ago in New York City. The first performer to earn EGOT status, Streisand's legacy spans music, theater, film and television. More from Variety Former CAA Agents Mark Mullett and Ashley Mills' Fitness Platform Obé Acquired by Dear Media (EXCLUSIVE) Justin Hartley on Playing a 'Worm and Buffoon' in 'Bride Hard' and What Colter Will Learn About His Mother in 'Tracker' Season 3: 'There's Some Deep Psychosis There' Rebel Wilson on Working With Robert Pattinson's 'Batman' Stunt Coordinators on 'Bride Hard' And Wanting 'Fat Amy' to Get Married in 'Pitch Perfect 4' Now 83, Streisand is releasing 'The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two,' a collection of duets with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Laufey, Hozier, Sam Smith, James Taylor, Sting, Tim McGraw and Josh Groban. Both Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey join her on 'One Heart, One Voice.' 'The Secret of Life' comes not even two years after she published her massive 970-page memoir, 'My Name Is Barbra,' which was accompanied by 48-hour audiobook that she read. She is also in production of a multi-part documentary about her life directed by Frank Marshall. Even so, Streisand insists, 'I'm very lazy. I don't like to have to work.' She adds, 'I like to be free. I don't like to have commitments.' Streisand credits Jay Landers, her longtime producing partner and A&R executive for over 30 years, for convincing her to record new albums. 'I always wanted to end my career, my movie career doing 'Gypsy,'' Streisand says. 'That would've been the book end to my 'Funny Girl' play. I couldn't get that done. Time goes so fast. Time is so precious that when Jay talked about this, I thought, 'This is a good idea.' 'And then working with two wonderful producers, Peter Asher and Walter Afanasieff,' she continues. 'Then Jay and I became the executive producers because I have to approve everything. That's the way it was with me at the beginning, and that's the way it is with me at the ending.' I talked to Streisand for this week's episode of the 'Just for Variety' podcast. Hi, I'm so happy to read this article. [Streisand is referencing my essay about having open-heart surgery at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center is located at the hospital.] What a lovely thing that my heart center could help you. Wait, wait. What do you have to do when you go there? It makes me happy to hear your story, really. OK, what do you want to know about my record? The song. The music and the lyrics, and then the partner. They brought me people that were just superb. Everyone was different and yet marvelous. You must have had a relationship like that. I don't think I had something like that, which is someone you had a close relationship to and they want you to try again and you say, 'I can't do it again.' You know what? I don't know. I have to make myself that person. I have to think of what that would feel like. It's complicated. They make the best songs. The sadness of it. The what-could-have-been songs. They're very emotional. That's what happens when you have a love affair and it doesn't end up together. It's very, very sad. If I remember correctly, ['To Lose You Again'] is one of the earlier ones I sang. I never listen to my records after I make them. No, I don't. No, I don't think I'd go that far. As a matter of fact, when I hear something that I recorded like 20 years ago, I'm just evaluating the sound of the orchestra with the voice. That the voice is too loud, too little. When I finish, like this record, I don't listen to it until like years later. It gives me another perspective. I don't watch my movies. I don't listen to my records. They're the hottest, biggest, most wonderful voices. And they both said yes to join me. You're kidding. She's going to play Roz Focker? That's very funny. Oh my God. They'd have to pay me a lot of money because I didn't get paid what the other people got paid and so I'm pissed off. I was in the time when women were getting paid less than the men. The head of Universal was Ron Meyer at the time, and he actually sent me a bonus check. It was very sweet. I showed it to my grandchildren…They loved 'Wicked.' I was just watching their reaction and they were totally fine with the witches. I was surprised. A four- and a six-year-old, you know? I get a lot of offers, but they're funny offers. Well, one was good. It was something that Peter Bogdanovich was going to do and Guillermo del Toro sent it to me, I think. It's a subject that I actually love, but I'm not going to tell you. I'm not ready to direct again. I think I've probably had it. I sang a song with James Taylor, who wrote the song, 'Secret O' Life,' about the passage of time, appreciating the passage of time. As I get older, I am appreciating the passage of time. So that means a lot. Oh, God. I doubt it. But there's a little part of me that may consider that. But the other part of me goes, why? Boy, that's a really hard question. I can't answer that. That's complicated. We feel complicated. I feel the world is in chaos. Our country is the worst of the chaos, I think. I'm so sad for what's happening. So sad. I don't know about in my lifetime, but certainly in my son's lifetime. Boy, I'll tell you a story — the other day I was on my Pilates table, and somehow my phone was playing music. I don't know why because it usually doesn't. Usually, I have the news on. And I hear this voice, a man's voice, and I thought, 'My God! Hitting these incredible notes and what a song. Very interesting song.' And I said, 'Who is singing? Can someone find out who is singing on my phone right now?' You know who it turned out to be? My son, Jason. Can you imagine? I mean, hitting these notes. Well, I had to call him and say, 'What the hell, Jason?' I couldn't believe this. I know his voice is brilliant, but you know who wrote the song even? It was by my friend, Quincy Jones. It was the theme from 'The Pawn Broker.' Oh, right. When he walked around that, was there water there? I wouldn't dare walk around. It was so cold, I thought, 'I'm going to fall right into this hole.' Isn't he wonderful? Well, yeah, but he's very much like me in the sense that he's shy, not really liking to perform in front of people. That's why I love recording. I'm alone. I can look like a schlump. I don't have to put on makeup, I don't have to perform. I can just sing. And I love doing that. I love recording. I'm at home in a recording studio. This conversation was edited for length and clarity. You can listen to it in its entirety on 'Just for Variety' above or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: All 118 Categories Updated as Voting Opens With Tight Races and Major Shakeups 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Barbra Streisand on Her Long-Awaited Bob Dylan Duet: ‘I Saw It As An Acting Piece'
A robin redbreast has alighted on Barbra Streisand's windowsill. Sitting with Jay Landers, her A&R executive at Columbia Records for three decades, the multihyphenate legend, 83, is taking a moment amid her busy schedule to appreciate the little gifts nature provides. Her new album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two (out June 27), is her first since 2018's Walls and a sequel to 2014's Partners. The duets project finds her singing old chestnuts ('The Very Thought of You' with Bob Dylan) and songs written by her collaborators ('My Valentine' with Paul McCartney and 'Letter to My 13 Year Old Self' with Laufey). It also features a few new tracks, such as 'To Lose You Again' with Sam Smith and 'One Heart, One Voice,' a cross-generational collaboration for the ages that teams her with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande; both songs were co-written by Walter Afanasieff, who co-produced the album with Peter Asher. More from Billboard Will Barbra Streisand Win Her First Grammy in 39 Years for 'The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two'? Lil B & Kevin Durant Reignite Feud After NBA Star's Trade: 'You Was Once a Thing, I'm Still That' Mick Ralphs, Founding Member of Bad Company & Mott the Hoople, Dies at 81 In your 2023 memoir, , you wrote that Bob Dylan wanted to sing with you in the '70s but you demurred. How did it feel finally singing with him? Barbra Streisand: The interesting thing is that I saw it as an acting piece. It's two different people, how they were feeling each other out: what kind of emotions are going on when two people have known of each other for such a long time but never met. It was wonderful to work with him, actually. I did my part earlier in the day, and it worked out perfectly with his. I'm ever the director. And he wanted direction, which was so lovely: 'What do you think? What do you want?' He just was so open to trying this or trying that. It was really easy. Both your careers began around the same time, just blocks away from each other 60 years ago in New York. Streisand: I talked to him about our pasts; we never met but we were in Greenwich Village at the same time, finding our way, unknown — me at the Bon Soir [a defunct nightclub] and him with his guitars playing his clubs. It's interesting we finally met. Josh Groban features on 'Where Do I Go From You' and is the only singer here who also sang on . What is it about him? Streisand: He had the voice for it. I always loved that song — it was from a Broadway play that never got onstage [Beba's Mambo] — and somehow, we made it into a duet. Everybody who I worked with was wonderful. It was easy and enjoyable, which I loved about it. I hadn't sung in a while, so I didn't even know if my voice was going to show up. I gave a little prayer to God as I approached the microphone that first time, and somehow, even not having sung for a while, my voice was there. How long had it been since you had sung prior to recording this? Streisand: I can't even imagine. When did I make my last album? I don't keep track of myself, actually. Jay, do you know what my last album was before this? Jay Landers: Your last album was Walls in 2018. Two years into the Trump administration. And here we are again. How are you keeping sane during these times? Streisand: Well, I write my tweets. I try to keep calm. I try to know time will go and things will change again. I have to keep hoping. You have to keep sanity in your mind. I pray a lot. Prayer helps, I'll tell you that. That's all I can do right now. This story appears in the June 21, 2025, issue of Billboard. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country Royalty Audrey McGraw and Lukas Nelson Team Up for Beautiful Duet
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The next generation of country music is well on its way, and as of summer 2025, two of its most mesmerizing acts are direct descendants of two of the most well-known country singers of the past 30 years. We're talking about Audrey McGraw and Lukas Nelson, of course! On Friday, June 6, Audrey (AKA Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's daughter) revealed that she and Lukas (Willie Nelson's son) have been working on duets together and finally had the perfect opportunity to perform one live. 'Lukas and I wrote 'Descent into Love' a few days after we met,' Audrey shared on Instagram. 'It was the first song we wrote together... been holding onto it for a while, but the other night we finally got to share it live. I can't wait to put it out one day, it's a special one.' To put it lightly, fans of Audrey and Lukas, as well as of their families, agree. 'Country royalty,' one fan commented on Audrey's post. 'I need to have this song readily available! It's BEAUTIFUL,' someone else exclaimed. 'Giving total Johnny and June connection vibes. Truly,' another Instagrammer remarked. 'Such a beautiful melody and a haunting romantic song. What a cool surprise to see who the artists are singing this amazing song! Always been a fan of your families,' another person marveled. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Audrey (@audreymcgraw) If you like the sound of the duo's tune, you'll be glad to know there's more where that came from. While it's unclear when it will drop, Audrey has confirmed that an album is on its way. "We just finished in April! The album was recorded in Woodstock. And honestly, it was amazing," she said in an interview with Dôen. "It's really special to see the songs I've written come to life, and work out some covers that we're doing, and just kind of see everything build up over time, with everyone's help. It's been so fun. I want to live in the studio." In the meantime, you can catch Audrey on tour with Brandi Carlile for her Lost Time Tour in Europe now through July 14. You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Barbra Streisand on the Duets That Define Her: ‘I Like Drama'
To Barbra Streisand, a duet isn't just a song. 'It's a dramatic process,' she said. 'It's wondering who is this guy in the song? Who is this girl? What's happening with them?' Figuring that out plays straight into Streisand's core identity as an artist. 'I'm an actress first,' she added. 'I like drama.' Small wonder she has performed character-driven duets so often, so creatively and with such commercial success. In October 1963, following the release of Streisand's debut album, Judy Garland invited her to appear in an episode of her TV show; their joint performance all but anointed the younger as her vocal heir. In the decades since, many of her highest-charting songs have been duets, starting in 1978 with Neil Diamond on their death-of-a-love ballad, 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers,' followed the next year by her diva-off with Donna Summer on 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough).' Both shot straight to No. 1. In the early 1980s, she scored two Top 10 Billboard hits with Barry Gibb, chased by a dalliance with Bryan Adams In 2014, Streisand issued an entire album of double billings titled 'Partners,' which teamed her with stars from the quick (John Mayer on 'Come Rain or Come Shine') to the dead (Elvis Presley via a vocal sample from the singer's 1956 recording of 'Love Me Tender'). Both that album, and its follow-up, 'Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway,' scaled Billboard's peak. Next week, Streisand, 83, will release a sequel, 'The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two,' featuring contemporaries of different musical sensibilities, like Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, as well as younger voices including Hozier and Sam Smith. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
