Streisand Retains High Standards of Last Tour

It’s been nearly four years since Streisand’s celebrated return to live performances in Las Vegas, but in the best moments of this studio collection there is a reminder of the intimacy and character that made those shows so memorable.

Rather than a greatest-hits survey, she chose songs for that North American tour that told her story, and she sang them with a warmth and restraint that had frequently eluded her over the years on record. That same personal, passionate edge fills this album.

The songs on “Higher Ground” speak of love and faith on a variety of levels, from spiritual to personal. The uplifting theme was inspired by the example of President Clinton’s mother, the late Virginia Clinton Kelley, to whom the album is dedicated.

“If I Could” expresses a mother’s love, while “Leading With Your Heart” conveys a woman’s romantic awakening. There’s also a pair of nicely designed medleys, one mixing familiar pop tunes (“I Believe” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”), the other traditional ones (“The Water Is Wide” and “Deep River”).

Not all the songs, however, shine. While they may express Streisand’s precise feelings, some--including “Tell Me,” featuring a duet with Celine Dion--lack originality and grace. Still, the heart of the album showcases the kind of higher aspirations that are all too rare in mainstream pop. Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).