"What song brings you the best memories?" was David's question for today's Weekend Wandering. I couldn't have told you until I read the responses already posted. Retired and Crazy sent us to listen to "I Can See Clearly Now" and that reminded me of how much a Barbra Streisand movie had caught my imagination. Way back in 1970 I fell in love with "On a Clear Day". That movie was so exciting! It took me through a lot of different mindsets. I was young, just into college, and kind of identified with Daisy Gamble (lead female role). It appealed to my love of history, of the dramatic (Melinda Tentrees was certainly that!), and a curiosity about psychic phenomena. It was also funny, romantic, wonderfully musical, and inspiring. Best of all, it opened me up to dreams of being more than I thought I was.
When looking for a video, I couldn't find a decent clip from the movie. That's okay, I like this one, from Barbara's 1994 concert, better. She took the time to talk about the meaning behind the song. That appeals to me. What she thinks about it also fits with what I've been learning about life and happiness these past few years. So you won't see Barbara in that cute orange dress and white hat running through the gardens. Instead you'll see the mature, happier, and wiser woman she has grown to be. Which is wonderful, even if (as she said) it took her many hours on a sofa and a ton of money to get there. :) Guess which movie just moved to the top of my shopping list?
Enjoy!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
On a Clear Day
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Lee: I crash-landed in the Land of Babs freshman year in college, with Barbra Joan Streisand, her "crossover" album. I'd known of her, of course, before then, seen the movies, but until BJS she was too "old folks" for me: an absolutely absurd statement from a boy who adored Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66: in truth, I was all about old folks music, just curmudgeonly (what else is new?) so. I was probably - what? - about one of the fifty people in Boston who actually, reverently, went to see "Funny Lady" AND enjoyed it.
Sadly, for me, Babs showed her mortality with the atrocious (and hopelessly, arrogantly misguided) "A Star is Born." You don't improve on the agon of Garland's version. From then on, Ms Babs lost me, though I continue to go farther back and enjoy her earlier songbook.
"On a Clear Day," like so many BJS numbers (think "Don't Rain on My Parade" also), showcases her magnificent ability to blast off from zero to 60 in the blink of eye. No one short of operatic can diva it up like Babs, except maybe Ms Chaka Khan and k d lang.
I liked your reflections and reminiscences about what On a Clear Day stirred in you. Just what a cool movie and song should do...
Paschal, I agree with you. A Star is Born stunk! After that failure she didn't make as many records did she? I think her failure did her in as much as it might anybody. She just chose to hide a lot longer. I've not kept up with her and don't know what else she has done that is new but I might start looking.
As for not liking her stuff anymore, I'm willing to forgive her as long as she doesn't come out with anymore crappy movies.
Peace!
She also destroyed The Prince of Tides. But, I'll always bow to the voice: heaven-sent.
I'd forgotten that movie. Went and looked up a clip to remember it. Guess that says it all. I'm not sure she's cut out to be a director. Great voice though, Yep!
Peace!
I remember that movie. I loved the way it opened with the views getting ever more distant and that beautiful theme song playing.
"What's Up, Doc?" Another good one.
It must be National Talk About Babs Day. I did not see Yentl, another BS-directed flick. Maybe?
Cool San! Maybe I'll add Streisand's older movies to my Netflix queue. It's been awhile since I did a movie marathon.
Hugs!
I saw Yentl. It was definitely different. Not sure how it would stand up now that I'm older.
Yep...it seems to be a Babs day! Long may she sing.
Peace!
Post a Comment