Gary: She was the best female singer on the planet!īarbra was the most critical artist of the three. Matt: What was it about producing a Streisand album that was different than, say, Dolly Parton or Gladys Knight (who you also worked with)? Ordering lunch in the studio was a major event. In fact, she was deeply involved in everything concerning the album. I also visited every publisher on both coasts.īarbra was always deeply involved in every aspect of the song selection process. I never said “no” to anyone I listened to every song I received. Publishers and writers were always hounding me, as you can imagine. I listened to songs from publishers, writers and even unsolicited songs, at home. Gary: I lived in New York and commuted to Los Angeles on a weekly basis, when producing there. Matt: What was the song selection process like, and how involved was Barbra with the songs on the albums you produced? “After the Rain” – A wonderful Bergman, Bergman and Legrand song. The dueling divas both gave great vocals, and the energy of the arrangement was undeniable. “No More Tears” - I liked everything about this cut. “Songbird” – Melodically, I think this was a great song for Barbra and she delivered a beautiful vocal. “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” – I loved the song, the vocal and the arrangement. I knew it would become a standard, and, who better to sing it than Barbra. “New York State of Mind” - I flipped when I heard Billy Joel sing this song. I loved the arrangement and the dynamic range of the melody. He understood what “pop” songs were all about, and this was one of his best. “My Heart Belongs to Me” – Alan Gordon was a brilliant songwriter. (Photo, below: left to right-songwriter Alan Gordon and Charlie Calello-he arranged “My Heart Belongs To Me.” Streisand's at the piano.) Barbra especially liked the lyric and the whole idea of a woman being “Superman.” It was a challenge for Barbra and she really got into it.
“Superman” – I loved the dynamics of the melody. Gary Klein: I can’t say that I have a favorite album, but there are cuts on each album that I could call my favorites. Matt Howe: Which is your favorite album of those you produced for Barbra Streisand? Superman, Songbird, or Wet? And why? (Photo, above: From left to right, Armin Steiner-he engineered SUPERMAN and was the owner of Sound Labs, where this photo was snapped-Streisand at the sound console, and Gary Klein over her shoulder.) In the 1990s, Klein was head of creative services at the Koppelman-run EMI Records.
Both Charles and I didn't think it was up to Barbra's standards, and he wanted me to go out to California, sit down with them and tell them why.” He told writer James Spada, “I was a staff producer for CBS, and Charles Koppelman of the Entertainment Company asked me to talk to Barbra and Jon Peters about Butterfly, her 1974 album which Jon produced. Klein produced many of the big 1970s and 1980s acts, including Glen Campbell (“Southern Nights”), Dolly Parton (“Here You Come Again”), Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, Judy Collins, Janis Ian, and BJ Thomas.Īs for his work with Streisand, Gary Klein first met her in 1974.
#Barbara streisand songbird series#
Comprised of producers Gary Klein and Charles Koppelman, the company promoted song catalogs, acquired major songs, and produced a series of hits for superstar recording artists. By 1975 The Entertainment Company was established. In the early 1970s, Gary Klein was a producer & assistant to Charles Koppelman, vice president of national A&R, Columbia Records.
Starting out as a songwriter, Gary co-wrote the 1962 seminal hit, “Bobby’s Girl (I Wanna Be).” Gary Klein lives in New York City where he has been in the music business for more than 40 years. Above: Streisand and Producer Gary Klein in the recording studio, 1977.
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