Barbra Streisand had reason to be anxious.
After spending six intense weeks — six days a week — recording the audiobook of her 2023 memoir My Name is Barbra, which spanned more than 48 hours and chronicled her iconic, EGOT-winning journey, she was about to tackle a new challenge: a star-studded duets album. The project paired her with a wide range of artists, from contemporary stars like Hozier and Sam Smith to music legends Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor. But when she first heard the tracks in the studio, she found herself unable to sing along — her voice was reduced to a squeak.
“My voice was shot,” said Streisand, now 83, in a call from her Malibu home. “I stood in front of that microphone and literally prayed to God, ‘Please let my voice be there for me.’ Somehow, it was.”
Fans will get to hear the result on Friday, when The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2 is released in stores and on streaming platforms. And despite her initial doubts, Streisand proves once again that she not only still has her signature voice — but also the power to inspire unforgettable performances from her collaborators.
