46 years ago this past week, Barbra Streisand released her 20th studio album for Columbia Records - her second of three 'thematic' albums produced by Gary Klein for The Entertainment Company. It was the first album under her new contract with the record label, which was up for renewal at the end of 1977. It was reported that she had to release five albums in five years, in addition to a 'Greatest Hits' album. She received $1.5M for each album recorded, and a 20% royalty on the retail price of every album sold (average retail price was $7.49 back then).
The recordings began in November, 1977 in NYC while she accompanied her boyfriend Jon Peters to New York as he began production on the film "Eyes of Laura Mars". (In addition, Streisand recorded the theme song to the movie titled 'Prisoner', but did not include it on her album). She finished recording the tracks in LA in February, 1978. The theme of the album was based on 'loneliness' (while the previous Klein album 'Superman' was based on a woman's independence' and the next album had a water theme.
The album peaked at #12 on the Hot 200 Albums Chart, and got mixed reviews by critics (some said Streisand 'played it safe' with her song selection). The album ended up being certified Platinum. The first single released in May, 1978 was the title track which peaked at #25. The next single released by Streisand was "Prisoner" which was not included on the album; it peaked at #38 that summer. In October, 1978 a duet with Neil Diamond on the track 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (both her and Diamond recorded solo tracks for their albums) was released, and hit #1 in December, 1978 for two non-consecutive weeks.
The album still remains a favorite among fans today. There are three tracks which were recorded for the album, but never released. Fans keep hoping it will be remastered and re-released in a 'deluxe' edition some day with the three additional tracks included.
