Barbra Streisand is teaming up with a raft of modern talent for a new duets album, The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, and a source says she’s taking huge pride in educating and motivating a generation of young talent, who are thrilled to be learning from the ultimate pro.
“Barbra is at a stage in her life where she gets a huge amount of joy from being in the wise elder role,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “That dynamic wasn’t there with all her duet partners, obviously she’s not going to be teaching Paul McCartney or Bob Dylan anything. But Hozier, and Sam Smith, and Josh Groban, and Ariana Grande, and even music veteran Mariah Carey, happily deferred to her and treated every word she said with a sort of reverence, which Barbra loved.”
“And she certainly does have a lot of wisdom and stories to share,” the source continues. “You’d think after releasing her massive autobiography she’d have had enough, but she still enjoys telling her stories to people that want to listen. And she had a very rapt audience in these younger artists. Her recording sessions typically went way over with them because they would spend so much time talking, well mostly Barbra was talking and they were listening.”
In April, Variety reported that the songstress, 83, was working on her duets album with several big names. The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two is set to be released on June 27. It is the follow-up to her 2014 duets album, Partners.
“I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists,” Barbara said in a statement. “They inspire me in unique and different ways … and make our time in the studio a joy! My new album, The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, gave me the chance to work and play with some of my old friends, label mates, and new artists too. I admire all of them … and I hope that you’ll enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording with all of my wonderful partners.”
One of the collaborators on the upcoming album, Hozier, also spoke out in a statement after working on a cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with the Funny Girl actress.
“Barbra Streisand is one of the most enduring and iconic vocalists of our time, and somebody who defined an era with the sheer force of her voice, her talent, charisma and vision. To be asked to join her on a duet was a huge honor and came as a wonderful and welcome surprise,” he said. “Ewan MacColl’s ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,’ made famous by the stunning Roberta Flack recording, has always mystified me. It is, to me, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Like so many, I was deeply saddened to hear of her recent passing. Along with the honor I have to sing on this record with Barbra, I hope this duet offers something of a gesture to Roberta Flack’s incredible legacy.”
