Barbra Streisand's "ButterFly" starts with "Love in the Afternoon" to set an awesome mood. Then "Guava Jelly" ups the tempo a bit and is a great fun loving song. Slipping into a bluesier and thoughtful "Grandma's Hands" and then into more familiar Lite-FM-esque "I Won't Last A Day Without You" and onto a refreshing "Jubilation". The first half has you hooked.
The 2nd half of the album is at least as good as the 1st. "Simple Man" is almost spiritual in it's simplicity and earnest appeal. Then the best cut of the album, Barbra's remake of "Life On Mars", the David Bowie classic. Many people have lamented her version over the years, unjustly comparing it to the original. Barbra's introduction is haunting, futuristic and daring and she makes great use of her acting style so often well-utilized in her Broadway songs, to give this rendition a multi-layered and deeper interpretation.
"Since I Don't Have You" and "Crying Time" are unique. Streisand can at times create an unusual sound with her range and stylizations. These songs alternately feel country and soulful, an odd and yet very satisfying blend. Listen for yourself. She would later perform "Crying Time" as a duet with Ray Charles on one of her TV specials.
The 70's laid-back feel and spoken intro of "Let the Good Times Roll" harkens back to a simpler time before all the great "causes" that would leave us all in a perpetual state of despair.
This was back when she wasn't afraid to experiment with contemporary sounds and I'm glad we have albums like this and "Lazy Afternoon", "Stoney End" etc. to remind us of better times.
Track Listing:
01 Love in the Afternoon
02 Guava Jelly
03 Grandma's Hands
04 I Won't Last a Day Without You
05 Jubilation
06 Simple Man
07 Life on Mars?
08 Since I Don't Have You
09 Crying Time
10 Let the Good Times Roll
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