On October 27, 2023, Columbia Records will release YENTL: Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition, a 2-LP deluxe edition of the soundtrack to Barbra Streisand’s acclaimed directorial debut. The album features an Oscar-winning score by Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman, plus rare piano/vocal demos from Barbra’s vault, including “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” (Demo).
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This demo, recorded in Barbra’s living room on a stereo cassette deck, is nothing short of a revelation. The demo features a spoken introduction by Barbra which provides context for the song within the film. Her unadorned voice, accompanied only by Legrand’s piano, is stunning.
“Papa, Can You Hear Me?” is a pivotal song in the film, in which Yentl (Streisand) sings to God about her longing to be treated as an equal to men. The song is a powerful and moving expression of Yentl’s inner turmoil, and Streisand’s performance is simply breathtaking.
The demo version of the song is even more raw and emotional than the studio recording. Barbra’s voice is full of passion and conviction, and the intimacy of the setting makes the song even more powerful.
The YENTL: Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any Barbra Streisand fan. The demo of “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” is just one of many highlights on this album, which is a fitting tribute to a groundbreaking film and soundtrack.
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The Living Room Demos: Streisand Au Naturel
The living room demos featured on Disc Two of the YENTL: Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition are a revelation. Streisand’s voice, accompanied only by Legrand’s piano, is stunning. This is Streisand au naturel.
Without their elaborate orchestrations, the songs are delivered with intimacy revealing their flawless construction. Like peering into the inner workings of a fine watch to study the gears, one gets a sense of how precisely the words and music are synchronized, and how Barbra imbues each with layers of meaning.
The demos also provide a fascinating glimpse into the creative process between Streisand and Legrand. The two artists were clearly on the same page, and their collaboration resulted in some of the most beautiful and moving music ever written for film.
A Must-Have for Any Barbra Streisand Fan
The YENTL: Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any Barbra Streisand fan. The album features all the songs from the original soundtrack, plus a bonus disc of previously unreleased gems from the vault, including the demo of “Papa, Can You Hear Me?”
The demos are a revelation, providing a glimpse into Streisand’s creative process and showcasing her stunning vocals. The album is a fitting tribute to a groundbreaking film and soundtrack.
In addition to the demo of “Papa, Can You Hear Me?”, the YENTL: Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition also features the following previously unreleased tracks:
- “Several Sins A Day” (demo)
- “No Wonder” (demo) with Marilyn Bergman
- “Tomorrow Night” (demo)
- “Will Someone Ever Look At Me This Way?” (demo) with Michel Legrand
- “The Moon and I” (demo)
- “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” (studio version)
- “Several Sins A Day” (studio version)
- “Where Is It Written?” (with Rabbinical chorus)
- “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” (single version)
The album is available to pre-order now.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here is the 2-Disc Yentl Track List:
DISC ONE:
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1. Where Is It Written? (4:54)
2. Papa, Can You Hear Me? (3:33)
3. This is One of Those Moments (4:11)
4. No Wonder (2:31)
5. The Way He Makes Me Feel (3:47)
6. No Wonder (Part Two) (3:22)
7. Tomorrow Night (4:42)
8. Will Someone Ever Look At Me That Way? (3:06)
9. No Matter What Happens (4:07)
10. No Wonder (reprise) (1:06)
11. A Piece of Sky (4:20)
12. The Way He Makes Me Feel (studio version) (4:12)
13. No Matter What Happens (studio version) (3:25)
DISC TWO:
THE AUDITION TAPES & MORE
(Tracks 1-9: Barbra Streisand accompanied by Michel Legrand)
1. Where Is It Written? (demo)
2. Papa, Can You Hear Me? (demo)
3. The Way He Makes Me Feel (Demo)
4. Several Sins A Day (demo)
5. No Wonder (demo) with Marilyn Bergman
6. Tomorrow Night (demo)
7. Will Someone Ever Look At Me This Way? (demo) with Michel Lagrand
8. The Moon and I (demo)
9. A Piece of Sky (demo)
10. Papa, Can You Hear Me? (studio version)
11. Several Sins A Day (studio version)
12. Where Is It Written? (with Rabbinical chorus)
13. Papa, Can You Hear Me? (single version)
14. This Is One of Those Moments (reprise)
15. End Title (instrumental medley)
Here’s some info on the original release of Yentl Soundtrack release November 8, 1983.
