Personnel includes: Barbra Streisand (vocals); Sweet Lou Shelton, Larry Carlton, Eric Weissberg (guitar); Randy Newman (piano); Max Bennett, Larry Knechtel (bass); Earl Palmer, Hal Blaine (drums); Richard Perry (percussion); Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Eddie Kendrix (background vocals).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Barbra Streisand a folkie? There are definitely elements of a hippy-ish, slightly more avant garde Barbra on this Top 10 album from 1971. The title track, Streisand's first Top 10 single in over six years, was written by Laura Nyro, as is "Hands Off The Man (Flim Flam Man)." So there is definitely a Nyro sensibility to the record. Still relatively early in her career, the amazing vocal acrobatics are present and she receives some help from a couple of well-known friends, like Randy Newman, who wrote and plays piano on "Let Me Go" and "I'll Be Home."
Writing contributions are made by Joni Mitchell ("I Don't Know Where I Stand") and Harry Nilsson ("Maybe"). Adding to the 60's feel, there is a Fifth Dimension-type sound to "Just A Little Lovin'" and "Time And Love," both with excellent horn sections. "Free The People" has a Gospel feel to it, while the standout track has to be Bab's cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind," graced by an amazing string arrangement. All in all, Streisand's Vietnam-era release presents a side of the singer previously unexplored.
